Company snapshot
| Category | CDNSun | NS1 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
CDNSun, founded in 2012, is a content delivery network provider based in Prague, Czech Republic. It offers services like website acceleration, video streaming, and software delivery through a network of over 50 points of presence (PoPs) worldwide. Its customer base includes businesses seeking cost-effective CDN solutions, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises. CDNSun emphasizes affordability with a pay-as-you-go model and a 15-day free trial. The service supports HTTP/2 and provides free shared SSL on its *.r.worldssl.net domain.
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
CDNSun operates more than 50 PoPs across five continents, including locations in North America (e.g., Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas), Europe (e.g., Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London), Asia (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo), South America (e.g., Sao Paulo), and Australia (e.g., Sydney). All edge servers use SSD drives for faster data access and have redundant connectivity to robust internet networks. The network supports global content delivery with a focus on reducing latency for websites and streaming services. Specific routing or peering details are not publicly disclosed, but the provider claims strong performance for global audiences.
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 | CDNSun | 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
CDNSun uses a pay-as-you-go (payg) model with no monthly or setup fees. A 15-day free trial (free-tier) is available for all services. Pricing is transparent, with custom options for high-volume users, but specific per-GB rates are not publicly listed. SMB-friendly pricing targets smaller businesses. The official pricing page is https://cdnsun.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
CDNSun offers an API-first approach for managing CDN services, including access to real-time logs. It provides integration support via a dashboard and API, with 24/7 technical support through email, phone, and live chat. No specific Terraform or CI/CD integrations are documented. The service includes tools for testing performance gains, such as ping tests and downloadable test files (1 MB and 20 MB).
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
- Small to medium-sized businesses needing affordable, pay-as-you-go CDN services with a free trial.
- Companies targeting global audiences with video streaming or software delivery needs.
- Developers seeking an API-driven CDN with real-time logs for monitoring.
- 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
- Enterprises requiring advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation.
- Businesses needing specialized edge compute, key-value storage, or advanced video features like DRM.
- Users prioritizing extensive integrations with Terraform, CI/CD pipelines, or specific cloud platforms.
- 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
—
—