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Fastly Reviews

Vendor: Fastly
4.3 out of 5
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What is Fastly?

Fastly is a leading provider of content delivery network services that enhances website performance through efficient caching and real-time architecture capabilities.

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Fastly is the #7 ranked solution in top CDN solutions, #9 ranked solution in top Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection solutions, and #20 ranked solution in top Web Application Firewalls. PeerSpot users give Fastly an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Fastly is most commonly compared to Cloudflare: Fastly vs Cloudflare. Fastly is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 44% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a comms service provider, accounting for 12% of all views.
Buyer's Guide
Fastly
May 2026
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Fastly mindshare

Product category:
CDN
As of May 2026, the mindshare of Fastly in the CDN category stands at 5.6%, up from 4.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
CDN Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fastly5.6%
Cloudflare16.4%
Akamai12.6%
Other65.4%
CDN

PeerResearch reports based on Fastly reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryCDNMay 9, 2026Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersMay 9, 2026Download
ComparisonFastly vs CloudflareMay 9, 2026Download
ComparisonFastly vs Imperva Application Security PlatformMay 9, 2026Download
ComparisonFastly vs Amazon CloudFrontMay 9, 2026Download
Suggested products
TitleRatingMindshareRecommending
Cloudflare4.316.4%96%79 interviewsAdd to research
Cloudflare One4.3N/A100%23 interviewsAdd to research
 
 
Key learnings from peers
Last updated May 5, 2026

Valuable Features

Fastly's key features include VCL for flexible CDN configurations, efficient versioning for quick updates, and powerful CLI tools. Users appreciate the strong CDN performance, integrated WAF from Signal Sciences, and ease of use. Compute@Edge is valued for rapid deployment and A/B testing. Terraform compatibility enhances configuration ease. Fastly's stability, security, and image optimization for e-commerce also stand out, along with features like rate limiting and reliable UI for efficient management.
  • "Initially, we faced load time issues, but after deploying Fastly and optimizing our queries, we achieved a response time cut to less than 1 millisecond from an initial 3 to 4 seconds."
  • "In summary, this solution is easy to manage, quick to deploy, and all of my customers are happy."
  • "Fastly combines both the CDN side and the Signal Sciences next-generation WAF, which is closely integrated with the CDN, allowing us to use both products seamlessly."

Room for Improvement

Fastly has complexities for beginners due to VCL requirements and lacks a staging platform for testing. Users express dissatisfaction with pricing, support response times, and analytic capabilities. There is a need for better bot detection and code management support. Regional pricing complicates international deployments. Users highlight the absence of comprehensive WebSocket support and express a desire for improved security integration. Fastly's coverage in mainland China is limited, and suggestions include public WAF rules and regional IP addresses.
  • "Fastly can be improved in certain areas such as VCL, which is powerful but has a steep learning curve for normal users."
  • "It's not easy to start with Fastly if you don't have VCL knowledge, so it appears very complex at the beginning."
  • "We are not getting quick responses from Fastly technical support engineers. Sometimes they depend on their D3 developers."

Pricing

Fastly offers competitive pricing with the yearly subscription costing about $75,000. Many find the solution less expensive compared to alternatives like Akamai, with reasonable pricing for services such as Compute@Edge. While some view it as an expensive option requiring a premium, others highlight its cost-effectiveness relative to market competitors.
  • "You need to pay a premium price for the tool."
  • "The pricing has been very competitive."
  • "Fastly is less expensive than one of its competitors."

Popular Use Cases

Fastly is used primarily for CDN configurations to enhance website performance and availability globally. It supports security by preventing DDoS and web application attacks and offers real-time visibility for caching content. Users leverage its Compute@Edge capabilities for HTML request manipulation and script execution. It also functions as a reverse proxy for image optimization and web application firewall, aiding in malware attack management and employing VCL technology for Edge behavior in deployed pipelines.

Service and Support

Fastly technical support is generally praised for quick responses, exceptional onboarding assistance via Slack, and excellent SLAs with enterprise support. Some users report delays due to escalations involving significant technical inquiries, while others note gaps in response times and the need for more transparency. Communication across different time zones could be improved. Fastly support effectively avoids trivial questions and provides relevant, in-depth answers, ensuring a good experience when connecting through live channels.

Deployment

Fastly's initial setup experiences vary. Some mention complexity needing experience, while others find it straightforward, taking only half an hour. Some say deployment requires two executives, and the GUI is intuitive for smaller companies. On-prem deployments have shifted to cloud due to better value. Fastly supports end-to-end implementation well. While some note coordination for hardware installs, many companies find it easy, particularly with cloud deployments, rated highly for their use cases.

Scalability

Fastly users express satisfaction with scalability, noting that the cloud-based offering avoids growth limitations. They utilize it across diverse teams and extensive global locations, finding ease in expanding usage. Despite the lack of partner collaboration, clients highlight the platform's operational efficiency and reliable support. Fastly encounters minimal issues compared to on-premise solutions, which often face hardware constraints. Users rate it highly for its ability to scale efficiently and smoothly according to demands.

Stability

Users find Fastly very stable and reliable. They report no technical issues, stating tasks like caching, purging, and applying new configurations work seamlessly. Companies consistently use Fastly with stable experience and reliable performance. Stability is rated nine out of ten by users. They experience no crashes, downtimes, or lagging. Fastly's infrastructure management is highly effective, confirming its stability. Many users express confidence in its dependable performance.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Fastly Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Large Enterprise3
By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews
Company SizeCount
Small Business110
Midsize Enterprise42
Large Enterprise121
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Comms Service Provider
12%
Financial Services Firm
11%
Computer Software Company
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
Retailer
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Outsourcing Company
7%
University
6%
Government
5%
Media Company
5%
Construction Company
3%
Hospitality Company
2%
Insurance Company
2%
Legal Firm
2%
Educational Organization
2%
Recreational Facilities/Services Company
2%
Consumer Goods Company
2%
Marketing Services Firm
1%
Energy/Utilities Company
1%
Real Estate/Law Firm
1%
Transportation Company
1%
Renewables & Environment Company
1%
Wellness & Fitness Company
1%
Wholesaler/Distributor
1%
Non Profit
1%

Compare Fastly with alternative products

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Learn more about Fastly

Fastly integrates CDN technology with advanced web application firewall for comprehensive security. Its global infrastructure supports performance enhancement, rapid deployment, and rollback capabilities. Utilizing the VCL language allows custom caching solutions. Compute@Edge provides extensive architectural flexibility, aiding in HTML manipulation and script execution. Users benefit from its stability and reliability features for seamless network protection, log management, image optimization, and A/B testing. Challenges include limited support in mainland China, inadequate WebSocket protocol implementation, and complex pricing structures.

What are the key features of Fastly?
  • CDN Integration: Delivers content quickly across global Points of Presence.
  • Signal Sciences’ WAF: Manages security threats effectively.
  • VCL Language: Offers customizable caching solutions.
  • Compute@Edge: Enables flexible architecture for HTML manipulation.
  • Image Optimization: Enhances performance with dynamic image delivery.
What benefits should users consider in reviews?
  • Performance Enhancement: Boosts website speed and response time.
  • Rapid Deployment: Allows for swift implementation and rollback.
  • Real-Time Visibility: Provides insights into cached content management.
  • Security and Stability: Ensures reliability against DDoS attacks and other threats.
  • Flexibility: Offers diverse network protection and infrastructure capabilities.

Fastly is widely implemented in industries needing robust content delivery and security capabilities. Companies use it as a reverse proxy for media delivery, ensuring availability and optimized performance. Its rapid deployment and rollback features are particularly beneficial in technology sectors requiring agile responses to demand shifts.

Fastly customers

Twitter, Airbnb, Alaska Airlines, Pinterest, Vimeo, The Guardian, The New York Times, Ticketmaster, The Drupal Association, Opera, about.com, imgur, Etsy, Foursquare, GitHub, New Relic, shopify, Shazam, Firebase

Related questions

  • 85
When evaluating CDN, what aspect do you think is the most important to look for?
  • 104
How does a CDN protect against DDoS attacks?
  • 63
If I have a CDN, do I have to worry about DDoS attacks?
  • 92
Which eCDN solution do you prefer?
  • 51
Why is CDN important for companies?

Product Categories

Product Categories
CDN
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Protection

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Fastly Reviews Summary
Author infoRatingReview Summary
Senior software developer at Simplifyvms4.0Fastly's edge caching, instant purging, and computing capabilities significantly boost our app performance, reducing latency and backend load by 30-60%. While stable and scalable, VCL complexity and pricing predictability could improve.
Technical support engineer at Adobe4.5I use Fastly for CDN, WAF, and image optimization, valuing its performance for Adobe Commerce Cloud. However, I find its WAF rules opaque, regional IP options limited, and technical support slow, needing more transparency and Cloudflare-like features.
Staff Engineer at a retailer with 1,001-5,000 employees4.5I value Fastly for CDN, WAF, and real-time control, especially its integrated WAF and VCL. Setup was easy. My main concerns are its lack of mainland China presence and incomplete WebSocket support, though it's modern compared to competitors.
Senior Consultant CDN at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees4.0I use Fastly for security and CDN, finding it stable and scalable with a straightforward setup. However, I criticize its high, regionally complex pricing, non-native security features, and weak partner channel for resellers like me.
CEO at Torque4.0I value Fastly's Compute@Edge for significantly increasing our velocity, enabling quick pilots and A/B testing, and offering exceptional support. It's stable, scalable, and cost-competitive, though I'd like improved bot detection and code management. I rate it 8/10.
Security Engineer at Amazon4.0I find this solution excellent for CDN and WAF, preventing DDoS attacks. It's stable, scalable, easy to implement, and reasonably priced. My main concern is the support, but overall, it meets my requirements.
IT Infrastructure Architect at GoSee Travel5.0I use this solution for network protection and caching. Its straightforward setup and excellent support are positives, but its high cost is a drawback. Overall, I recommend it.
Information Technology Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees4.5I use Fastly as a reliable, scalable CDN, valuing its powerful VCL, programmatic configuration, instant purging, and request collapsing for traffic spikes. Support is good, but I believe analytics could be stronger. Overall, I rate it 9/10.