Introduction to Cloudflare Alternatives
Cloudflare was initially created in the year 2009 which was launched later in 2010 at TechCrunch Disrupt Conference. Cloud flare gained attention in the year 2011 when it provided security services to the website and later in 2012 partnered with various web hosts to improve performance. By the year 2017, the most popular reverse proxy, Cloudflare provides DNS services to millions of websites. Moreover, Cloudflare provides services just like DDoS protection, web application firewall (WAF), DNS, reverse proxy, Content Delivery Network, Domain registrar (introduced in the year 2019 which provides low-cost pricing and easier ways to enable DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions).
Users can opt for various Cloudflare alternatives according to their requirements and point of interest.
Alternatives for Cloudflare
Cloudflare has come under several complaints with US law enforcement agencies giving up information of its clients to the government whenever they ask for it. So users considering migrating to different CDN (content delivery service), which may due to its Pricing factors or security issues opt for below alternatives:
1. Akamai
Akamai is one of the largest and quite popular CDN (content delivery networks) and cloud service providers around the globe. It serves around 20-30 percent of web traffics. Most convincing services provides are like stopping DDoS attacks and content delivery speeds which makes it better than any other alternatives and makes it a top priority after Cloudflare. Akamai technology provides a well built 2.3 Tbps of bandwidth for DDoS absorption and WAF services for application-layer protection. Some of the value-added services provided by Akamai is “Kona site defender” that protects the website from DDoS attacks and other malicious attacks and offers a real-time experience monitoring experience which is customized and users can make the change as required.
Demerits of Akamai:
According to its size and scope, it can’t change its rules overnight like smaller companies that are agile. Unlike Cloudflare, it doesn’t provide free value-added services, Those users who want premium benefits, Akamai serves them the best alternative to that of Cloudflare.
2. Amazon CloudFront
CloudFront is the well known CDN (Content delivery network) that works on the “pay as you go” model. CloudFront has huge competition with Akamai and Limelight Networks upon Content Delivery Services. Launched in the year 2008, having more than 138 access points across 29 countries provided web static and dynamic content, website acceleration, content download, and video streaming. CloudFront provides too GUI on its management console that users to add custom SSL and provides Wildcard cName Support. Another service provides it is dynamics scaling that allows automatically hardware resources in case of web traffic issues.
3. Incapsula
Incapsula, a cloud-based application delivery platform provides web application security, DDoS protection, load balancing, failover services, application content delivery.
Features Provided by Incapsula:
- Bot Recognition Engine which reduces most false positives, when attackers often target specific areas and make it difficult to detect.
- DDoS extra layer protection aims to protect subnet network infrastructure such as Email, FTP.
- It provides free services mostly but needs to pay if users need DDoS or WAF (firewall) protection.
- Backdoor protection is a tool launched in 2013 that is used to detect and block malicious web shells. Later in the year 2013, it launched Login Protect, a 2-factor authentication as an added feature to its products.
- A recent launch in its feature is its “Incap Rules” that give fully-fledged security policies to its clients.
4. StackPath
StackPath provides content delivery services with WAF and fully documented API. It provides services with instant configuration, purging and real-time instances. Stack path provides plans for mid to high range users which are simple and affordable starting from $20 to $600.
5. Fastly
If fond of real-time CDN then “Fastly”, an alternative to Cloudflare, founded in the year 2011 which provides a range of services including instant configuration updates, instant purging, dynamics content cache, real-time streaming and analytics, private CDN, WAF, Image Optimizer, load balancing. Fastly comes with pricing as such as a total number of requests and volume of data transfer. It allows users to test up to $ 50 of traffic.
6. Sucuri
A platform-agnostic cloud service provider protects your site whether you are running a WordPress, PHP or Magneto e-commerce site. It’s too supports free Open CMS platforms. Services offered are Web application Firewall, load balancing. It blocks DDoS attacks, SQL injections. Like Cloudflare, Sucuri has no free pricing plans, moreover, it provides SSL certificate, WAF, Website monitoring.
7. Reblaze
Another alternative claim protection against SQL injections, XSS, DDoS, Zero Vulnerabilities, blocking traffic from certain cities or countries. Reblaze also provides Elastic load balancing to transmit increased traffic across its global network. It also uses the Next-generation human and bot identification algorithm to identify advanced scraper bots. It integrates seamlessly including cache & SSL, analytics and management.
8. KeyCDN
It is the best alternative to Cloudflare in terms of CDN services when it comes to increasing the performance of websites? Moreover, it provides offers like two-factor authentication, DDoS protection, and real-time protection.
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Conclusion
Choosing the best alternative from all the possible alternatives is a bit of concern. Looking at the features of all the alternatives of Cloudflare. Users choose according to services provided and security added (such as DNS, DDoS, CDN, SSL certificates). Being a Cloudflare user, the most expecting services is the CDN services which is quite promising according to pricing plans. According to their services offered those alternatives speed up and protect your site with no performance tradeoffs and providing fast and global security networks.
Users should choose a solution that supercharges their needs and requirements.
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