Looking for the best Akamai alternative?
Discover why Aptranet consistently outperforms the competition. Enjoy real-time content control, boosted performance, and rapid modern application development - all powered by our lightning-fast edge technology and expansive global network.
Better Faster More Secure Next-Generation
For more powerful businesses.
Here are a few things that differentiate us from Akamai.
Network
Akamai
Massive legacy network with thousands of servers, but real-user tests show higher TTFB latency (~384–441 ms) than modern CDNs. Performance tuning often requires complex configs on Akamai’s platform, and small customers may not fully utilize its vast network without enterprise support.
Aptranet
Powered by a private backbone and 180+ global PoPs, We deliver consistently low latency worldwide (directly peered with 13,850+ ISPs). We even cache dynamic and event-driven content at the edge for faster load times on interactive sites.
Security
Akamai
Offers strong add-on security (Kona WAF, Prolexic scrubbing), but these come at steep cost and complexity (enterprise WAF can run $1K–$5K/month). Basic CDN usage alone lacks integrated WAF, and truly comprehensive DDoS defense is reserved for premium tiers.
Aptranet
Built-in web application firewall (WAF) and 180+ Tbps of distributed DDoS filtering capacity provide robust protection by default. No commitments – every Aptranet customer benefits from full edge security without special long-term contracts.
Features
Akamai
Very feature-rich, but many capabilities are separate modules (Image Manager, EdgeWorkers, etc.) that increase cost/complexity. Its platform is powerful yet less nimble – rolling out config changes can be slower and requires specialized know-how. Dynamic content acceleration is possible but not as turnkey as Aptranet’s.
Aptranet
Advanced caching and content optimization included. Aptranet’s edge servers optimize images and assets on-the-fly and support seamless origin shielding and multi-origin failover. Developers get real-time control via API for custom behaviors.
Pricing
Akamai
Premium pricing with custom contracts (depending on region/volume), plus additional charges (“midgress” fees, pricey add-ons for WAF, DNS, etc.). Typically requires an annual commitment and negotiation – a barrier for smaller teams.
Aptranet
Simple, transparent pricing with no long-term commitments. We deliver content more cost-effectively by minimizing cloud egress fees via superior caching. Free trial available, and all features are included.
Ease of Use
Akamai
A more complex setup and management process. Historically requires navigating Akamai’s portal or command-line tools and waiting for config pushes. Many users find it less self-service; one often engages Akamai support to tweak settings. The learning curve is steeper for those without dedicated CDN engineers.
Aptranet
Developer-friendly design – an intuitive console for one-click configuration and instant propagation of changes. Comprehensive APIs and CI/CD integration let teams deploy updates in real-time. You can be up and running in minutes, with full control and visibility.
Reliability
Akamai
Highly reliable overall (Akamai has decades of experience), but not infallible – e.g. a 2021 config bug in its DNS routing caused a global outage (~1 hour) for many sites. Its aging infrastructure and complex configuration can lead to occasional issues that newer, more agile platforms like Aptranet are designed to avoid.
Aptranet
Engineered for 99.99%+ uptime, with a self-healing global mesh and no single points of failure. Handles traffic surges effortlessly without downtime. Our modern infrastructure and rigorous testing minimize the risk of outages.
Customer Support
Akamai
Enterprise-grade support is available – but mainly if you’re a big client. Smaller customers may find support less accessible or slow unless they pay for premium support packages. The sales/support process is oriented to large accounts, which can leave mid-market users feeling under-served.
Aptranet
High-touch 24/7 support for all customers. Aptranet acts as a partner in your success – our team will even help tailor the CDN solution to your needs. Fast response times and an eagerness to assist, regardless of your size.