Cloudflare CDN
Cloudflare CDN: A broad CDN with a generous free plan and edge delivery features. Ranked #1 of 33 in CDN Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for broad CDN needs with a generous free plan.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forBroad CDN needs with a generous free plan
- Free planYes
- Paid from$20/mo
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes CDN and unmetered DDoS protection
- Supports caching, image optimization, video delivery, and edge compute
- Includes origin protection, cache controls, and instant traffic logs
Where it doesn't
- Video delivery depends on the separate Cloudflare Stream service
- Smart Shield and Instant Logs have plan-dependent availability
- Advanced capabilities can require higher-tier or custom plans
Our verdict on Cloudflare CDN
Cloudflare CDN is a reverse-proxy content delivery service for websites, applications, and APIs. It caches static and dynamic content at globally distributed edge locations, serves assets closer to visitors, and supports anonymous API GET response caching. Developers, website operators, and businesses can use it to reduce origin requests, deliver web content, and manage caching through DNS-based setup. The service was founded in 2009 and lists 348 edge locations.
The published plans start with Free at $0 per month, billed monthly, for personal or hobby projects. It includes the CDN and unmetered DDoS protection. Pro costs $20 per month when billed annually and is intended for professional websites. Business costs $200 per month when billed annually and is intended for small businesses. Contract provides custom pricing for mission-critical applications. All listed website plans include the CDN, while additional capabilities and services vary by plan.
Cloudflare CDN covers more than basic static-file caching. Cache Rules, instant cache purging, tiered caching, Smart Shield origin protection, connection reuse, dynamic image resizing and optimization, instant traffic logs, and Workers-based edge serverless functions extend its scope. Cloudflare Workers, Images, Stream, and Smart Shield provide related platform connections. Video delivery runs through Cloudflare Stream rather than ordinary Free, Pro, or Business website traffic policies, so teams needing video should evaluate that service separately. Cloudflare CDN suits buyers seeking broad web delivery features with a free starting point; organizations needing mission-critical applications, specific paid capabilities, or video delivery should assess the relevant higher-tier or related service.
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Cloudflare CDN pricing
All 4 Cloudflare CDN plans and prices →
Cloudflare CDN fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $20/mo |
| Edge locations | 348 locations |
| Web application firewall | Not verified |
| DDoS protection | Not verified |
| Edge compute | Not verified |
| Image optimization | Yes |
| Origin shield | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | PCI DSS, SSO/SAML |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | cloudflare.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Cloudflare CDN
- Akamai CDNA mature enterprise CDN with broad delivery, optimization, logging, and edge-computing capabilities.9.3
- Amazon CloudFrontA broad AWS-connected CDN with free entry pricing, edge compute, and media delivery.9.2
- Alibaba Cloud CDNA broad CDN for global delivery, media workflows, image processing, and edge logic.9.0
See all Cloudflare CDN alternatives →
Cloudflare CDN vs the competition
- Cloudflare CDN vs Akamai CDN
- Cloudflare CDN vs Alibaba Cloud CDN
- Cloudflare CDN vs Google Cloud CDN
- Cloudflare CDN vs Tencent Cloud CDN
Compare Cloudflare CDN with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Cloudflare CDN is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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