Company snapshot
| Category | CDN77 | NS1 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
CDN77 is a global content delivery network (CDN) provider based in London, founded in 2011. It operates a network with over 200 Tbps capacity across six continents, delivering approximately 175 petabytes of data daily, with a primary focus on video content, which constitutes about 90% of its traffic. The company serves a range of clients, including websites, gaming platforms, and streaming services, offering features like DDoS protection and real-time analytics. CDN77 is noted for its infrastructure services and content delivery, supporting major websites and applications worldwide.
NS1, now IBM NS1 Connect, specializes in DNS traffic steering and MultiCDN solutions to optimize application delivery. Founded in 2013 and acquired by IBM in 2023, it serves enterprises needing precise control over traffic routing across multiple CDNs and cloud providers. Its flagship product, NS1 Connect, uses real-time data and automation to enhance performance and resilience. Customers include large-scale organizations in tech, finance, and media sectors. The platform integrates with various CDNs and cloud services to manage global traffic efficiently.
Network & Architecture
CDN77 maintains a global network with over 20,000 servers and points of presence (PoPs) across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Its infrastructure supports a capacity of 200 Tbps, with robust peering and routing optimized for low latency. The network is particularly strong in Europe and North America, with recent expansions in Asia through partnerships like Exa Infrastructure for 400G and 100G wavelengths. While it has comprehensive global coverage, its presence in Africa and certain parts of APAC may be less dense compared to competitors like Cloudflare or Akamai.
NS1 operates a global network with 26 points of presence (PoPs) across North America, EMEA, APAC, and other regions, ensuring low-latency DNS resolution. Its architecture leverages authoritative DNS and real-time data for traffic steering, with robust peering to major cloud providers and CDNs. The platform supports hybrid deployments, combining on-premise and cloud DNS for flexibility. It excels in global coverage but may have less focus on niche regional markets like Africa or the Middle East compared to telecom CDNs.
Feature comparison
| Feature | CDN77 | NS1 |
|---|---|---|
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
CDN77 operates on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with no long-term commitments, making it accessible for various business sizes. Pricing is traffic-based, with per-GB rates available but not publicly detailed; for example, high-volume plans are tailored for enterprise clients. A free trial is offered for testing services. Full pricing details are available at https://www.cdn77.com/pricing.
NS1 operates on an enterprise-only model with custom pricing based on traffic volume and feature sets. No public per-GB pricing is available, and there’s no free tier or pay-as-you-go option. Contact IBM for pricing details.
Integrations & DevEx
CDN77 supports an API-first approach with comprehensive APIs for managing services, including content purging and analytics. Real-time logs and analytics are available, with log-push capabilities for integration with external systems. While Terraform support is not explicitly documented, the platform offers SDKs and tools for developers to automate configurations. Migration tools are available to assist with onboarding from other CDNs, and the client portal provides detailed analytics for monitoring performance.
NS1 supports Terraform and Ansible for infrastructure automation, with an API-first design for programmatic control. SDKs and integrations with tools like Catchpoint and ThousandEyes enhance monitoring and analytics. Real-time logs and analytics provide immediate insights, and the platform supports seamless integration with major CDNs and cloud providers. Migration tools are available for transitioning from other DNS providers, with a focus on minimizing downtime.
When it fits
- Suitable for video-heavy workloads, such as streaming platforms or VOD services, due to its robust video delivery features.
- Ideal for gaming companies needing low-latency content delivery and DDoS protection for global audiences.
- Fits businesses seeking a PAYG model with flexible scaling and no long-term contracts.
- Enterprises needing precise MultiCDN traffic steering across global regions.
- Organizations requiring robust DDoS protection and real-time analytics.
- Teams using Terraform or API-driven workflows for network automation.
When it doesn’t
- May not be the best choice for organizations requiring advanced WAF or bot mitigation, as these features are not currently offered.
- Less optimal for users needing extensive edge compute functions or key-value storage, which are limited compared to competitors like Fastly.
- Smaller presence in Africa or niche APAC regions may limit performance for highly localized traffic.
- Small businesses or startups seeking low-cost, pay-as-you-go CDN solutions.
- Users needing native video streaming features like VOD or live streaming.
- Companies focused on niche regional markets with limited NS1 PoP coverage.
History & Notes
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