Content Delivery Network (CDN) Blog

What is the price per TB of Fastly CDN

Written by BlazingCDN | Nov 26, 2024 5:18:12 PM

Fastly’s pricing is based on several factors, including bandwidth usage, regional data transfer, and the number of requests. Its modular approach offers flexibility for businesses, but it can seem complex at first glance. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Bandwidth Costs

Fastly charges based on data transfer volumes. For North America and Europe, the pricing starts at $0.12 per GB for the first 10 TB and drops to $0.08 per GB for the next 10 TB. In Asia-Pacific regions like South Korea, India, and Africa, the costs rise to $0.28 per GB, reflecting the challenges of delivering data in these regions.

For larger enterprises, this translates to approximately:

  • $120 per TB in North America and Europe.
  • $280 per TB in South Korea, India, and Africa.

Request Costs

Fastly also charges for HTTP requests, which start at $0.0075 per 10,000 requests for North America and Europe, rising to $0.016 per 10,000 requests in high-cost regions like South Korea and India. For businesses handling millions of requests daily, this cost can add up quickly.

TLS/SSL Services

Security features such as TLS/SSL certificates are free for the first two domains. Additional domains cost $20 per month, while premium certificates (commercial CA) are priced at $275 per domain. This ensures businesses can secure their content without compromising scalability.

Security Add-Ons

Fastly’s security solutions start at $3,000 per month for basic OWASP protection, scaling up to custom pricing for advanced protection such as DDoS mitigation and Web Application Firewall (WAF) capabilities.

Pricing by Region: A Nuanced Approach

One of the most critical aspects of Fastly’s pricing is its regional variance. Bandwidth costs can differ significantly based on where your users are located. For instance:

  • North America and Europe: The most cost-effective regions, with pricing at $0.12 per GB.
  • Asia-Pacific and Africa: The most expensive regions, with pricing at $0.28 per GB.

Businesses with a global audience must consider these regional disparities carefully when budgeting for a CDN.

Global Comparison: Fastly vs. Other CDNs

To understand Fastly’s value, it’s essential to compare its pricing and features with those of its competitors:

  1. Akamai: A leader in the CDN market, Akamai offers pricing starting at $0.049 per GB, with significant discounts for large volumes. Its extensive server network makes it a top choice for businesses with global reach.
  2. BlazingCDN: A rising competitor, BlazingCDN offers pricing as low as $0.03 per GB, making it one of the most cost-effective options. Its advanced features like real-time analytics and AI-driven content optimization provide excellent value.
  3. Cloudflare: Known for its free tier and affordable pricing, Cloudflare charges approximately $0.05 per GB, making it an attractive option for small and medium-sized businesses.
  4. Amazon CloudFront: With rates ranging from $0.085 to $0.02 per GB, CloudFront is well-suited for organizations already using AWS services.
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The Strategic Edge of Fastly: Features and Benefits

While Fastly’s pricing might appear higher than some of its competitors, its features often justify the premium cost. Here are the key advantages:

1. Performance

Fastly’s low latency and serverless architecture enable websites and applications to handle high traffic loads seamlessly. Its instant purging capabilities allow businesses to update content in milliseconds, ensuring a superior user experience.

2. Security

Fastly offers robust security features, including built-in DDoS protection, WAF, and real-time threat detection. These features safeguard sensitive content and protect against cyberattacks, making it an ideal choice for businesses prioritizing security.

3. Real-Time Analytics

Fastly’s real-time logging and analytics empower businesses to monitor performance and optimize configurations dynamically. This agility is particularly valuable for e-commerce platforms and SaaS providers during peak traffic periods.

Cost-Effectiveness: Is Fastly Worth the Investment?

For businesses with modest data needs, Fastly’s pricing might seem steep compared to alternatives like Cloudflare or BlazingCDN. However, its superior performance, real-time capabilities, and scalability make it a worthwhile investment for enterprises requiring high levels of customization and reliability.

Real-World Examples of Fastly’s Impact

1. The New York Times

During the 2016 U.S. elections, The New York Times used Fastly to handle unprecedented traffic surges. Fastly’s real-time analytics allowed the publication to adjust configurations dynamically, ensuring uninterrupted service.

2. Spotify

Fastly powers Spotify’s music streaming services, optimizing content delivery based on user locations. This geographic adaptability ensures minimal latency and a seamless listening experience for millions of users worldwide.

Fastly vs BlazingCDN: A Competitive Analysis

While Fastly offers unparalleled performance, BlazingCDN is emerging as a strong competitor for businesses seeking cost-effective solutions. With pricing starting at $0.0035 per GB (100TB), BlazingCDN delivers robust features such as:

  • AI-driven routing for faster content delivery.
  • Real-time analytics for performance monitoring.
  • Customizable configurations for tailored solutions.

BlazingCDN’s affordability makes it an attractive alternative for startups and small enterprises.

Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right CDN

Selecting the right CDN is a strategic decision that depends on your business’s unique needs. While Fastly excels in performance, scalability, and security, its pricing might deter budget-conscious businesses. For those looking to balance cost and performance, alternatives like BlazingCDN offer compelling value.

Ready to explore your options? Learn more about how BlazingCDN’s pricing and features compare to Fastly by visiting BlazingCDN Pricing.