Overview

Akamai, founded in 1998, operates one of the largest global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), serving high-traffic websites, media streaming, and enterprise applications. The company delivers content through its Intelligent Edge Platform, which also provides security and edge computing capabilities. Akamai serves major clients like Kuaishou Technology and iQiyi, handling up to 30% of global web traffic. Its solutions cater to industries requiring low-latency content delivery, robust cybersecurity, and scalable cloud services. While historically focused on CDN, Akamai has shifted toward security and cloud computing, with these segments now driving two-thirds of its revenue.

Network & Architecture

Akamai maintains over 325,000 servers across 4,100+ points of presence (PoPs) in more than 135 countries, offering extensive global coverage. Its network leverages advanced routing and peering for low-latency delivery, with strong presence in North America, EMEA, APAC, and a licensed operation in China. Regional limitations include the planned cessation of CDN services in mainland China by June 30, 2026, with transitions to partners like Tencent CDN and Wangsu Science & Technology. Akamai’s architecture supports high-throughput applications like gaming and video streaming, with optimized edge caching and load balancing.

Features

FeatureSupported
waf✓
bot_mitigation✓
ddos✓
rate_limit✓
http3_quic✓
tls13✓
tiered_cache✓
origin_shield✓
instant_purge✓
stale_while_revalidate✓
stale_if_error✓
image_optimization✓
video_vod✓
video_live✓
drm✓
hls_dash_packaging✓
websockets✓
signed_urls✓
edge_compute✓
functions✓
kv_storage✓
api_first✓
realtime_logs✓
log_push✓
terraform✗

Legend: ✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported

Pricing

Akamai operates an enterprise-only pricing model with committed contracts tailored to large-scale deployments. No public per-GB pricing is disclosed, and there is no free tier or PAYG option for smaller users. Pricing details require contacting Akamai’s sales team for custom quotes. For more information, see https://www.akamai.com/pricing.

Integrations & DevEx

Akamai supports API-first workflows with extensive REST APIs for configuration and management. Its DataStream and Log Delivery Service provide real-time logs and analytics for monitoring. While Terraform support is not natively offered, Akamai’s CLI and SDKs (Python, Java, etc.) enable integration with CI/CD pipelines. Migration tools are available for transitions, such as from Edgio or Lumen Technologies, as seen in recent customer contract acquisitions. Real-time analytics and RUM are supported through Edge Analytics and mPulse.

When it fits

  • Enterprises needing a global CDN for high-traffic websites, gaming, or media streaming with robust security (WAF, DDoS, bot mitigation).
  • Organizations requiring edge computing for serverless functions or low-latency data processing with EdgeWorkers and EdgeKV.
  • Businesses operating in China needing a licensed CDN provider (until June 2026) with established local partnerships.

When it doesn’t

  • Small businesses or startups seeking pay-as-you-go or free-tier CDN options, as Akamai focuses on enterprise contracts.
  • Users prioritizing China-based CDN after June 2026, as Akamai is exiting this market and transitioning to partners.
  • Teams needing native Terraform support or simpler DevEx for smaller-scale deployments, as Akamai’s tools target complex enterprise needs.

Recent news