Company snapshot
| Category | Akamai | CDNVideo |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
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.
CDNVideo is a content delivery network provider founded in 2008, specializing in video streaming and content delivery services. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, it serves a wide range of clients, including media companies, e-commerce platforms, and gaming businesses. The company operates a global network with a strong presence in Russia, EMEA, APAC, and China. CDNVideo focuses on delivering video-on-demand (VOD) and live streaming solutions, catering to businesses needing reliable content distribution. Its customers include broadcasters, OTT platforms, and enterprises requiring low-latency video delivery.
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.
CDNVideo operates over 100 points of presence (PoPs) across North America, Europe, Asia, and Russia, with a notable focus on the Russian market. Its network leverages partnerships with major ISPs and peering points to ensure low-latency delivery. The architecture supports video streaming with adaptive bitrate capabilities and is optimized for high-traffic scenarios. CDNVideo has a China-licensed CDN, enabling compliant content delivery in that region. Limitations include less extensive coverage in Latin America and Africa compared to larger providers like Cloudflare or Akamai.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Akamai | CDNVideo |
|---|---|---|
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, — = Not listed
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.
CDNVideo operates a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pricing model with no long-term commitments. Pricing details are available on their official pricing page, though specific per-GB rates are not publicly disclosed without a quote. A free trial is offered for testing services. Volume discounts are available for high-traffic customers. https://www.cdnvideo.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.
CDNVideo provides an API-first platform for managing configurations and accessing real-time logs. Documentation is available for integrating with common CMS platforms and video players. It lacks native Terraform support or advanced CI/CD integrations compared to providers like Fastly. Migration tools are available for importing content from other CDNs, with support for standard protocols. Real-time analytics focus on video delivery metrics, such as buffering rates and viewer engagement.
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.
- Businesses targeting Russia or China, where CDNVideo has strong regional presence and licensing.
- Media companies needing reliable video-on-demand or live streaming with RTMP ingest.
- Customers seeking a PAYG model with a focus on video delivery without complex edge compute needs.
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.
- Organizations requiring advanced edge compute, serverless functions, or key-value storage.
- Users needing extensive coverage in Latin America or Africa, where PoP density is lower.
- Enterprises prioritizing WAF, bot mitigation, or advanced analytics, which are not offered.
History & Notes
—
—