Fastly CDN review
A feature-rich CDN for engineering teams that need programmable edge delivery.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Fastly CDN is a content delivery network for websites, applications, APIs, and media services. It supports caching for static, dynamic, and event-driven content, along with programmable delivery rules and instant cache purging. Engineering, infrastructure, media, publishing, and digital commerce teams are the clearest fit, particularly when delivery logic, image handling, video, security, or edge computing matter alongside standard CDN caching.
Pricing spans a free usage-based plan and four paid tiers. Free includes 100 GB of bandwidth and 1 million CDN requests. Basic costs $1,500 per month and includes 100 million requests per month, 20 TLS domains, and 30 million Fastly Image Optimizer requests. Starter costs $6,000 per month and raises those figures to 500 million requests, 40 TLS domains, and 150 million Image Optimizer requests. Advantage and Ultimate use custom pricing and include 2 billion and 5 billion requests per month, respectively; they also include 80 and 150 TLS domains. The paid packages therefore target organizations with substantial delivery requirements rather than teams seeking a low-cost standard CDN.
Fastly’s strongest differentiator is the breadth of its programmable delivery platform. Origin shielding, real-time log streaming, image optimization and transformation, live and on-demand video delivery, Fastly Compute edge computing, TLS, DDoS protection, and WAF options extend the service beyond caching. Web and API support also fits applications that need delivery controls across multiple digital surfaces. Choose Fastly when programmable edge behavior and media or security capabilities justify the commercial commitment. A simpler CDN or a lower-priced paid service may suit teams that only need basic content caching.
Fastly CDN pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports static, dynamic, and event-driven content caching
- Combines purging, shielding, logs, media, images, and edge compute
- Offers a free plan with 100 GB bandwidth and 1 million requests
- Where it doesn't
- The cheapest listed paid package is $1,500 per month
- Higher-volume Advantage and Ultimate plans use custom pricing
- Its broad feature set is aimed primarily at technical teams
Fastly CDN fact sheet, pricing and score →
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