Company snapshot
| Category | EdgeCast | Incapsula |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
EdgeCast, originally founded in 2006 as EdgeCast Networks, is a content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming provider, now operated by Parler Cloud Technologies following its acquisition from Edgio in February 2025. The company specializes in delivering video-on-demand, live streaming, and edge computing services. It was previously acquired by Verizon in 2013 and later by Limelight Networks in 2022, which rebranded as Edgio before entering bankruptcy in 2024. EdgeCast serves clients across media, gaming, and e-commerce, including platforms like Parler Social and PlayTV. Its infrastructure supports high-performance content delivery with a focus on video streaming.
Incapsula, now integrated under Imperva, is a cloud-based CDN platform focused on web application security, DDoS mitigation, and performance optimization. Founded in 2009 as a spin-off from Imperva, it provides services like web application firewalls (WAF), bot mitigation, and load balancing. The platform serves businesses of varying sizes, including high-traffic websites and enterprises like Wix and Siemens. Incapsula’s global network enhances site speed and security, leveraging intelligent caching and content optimization. It operates as a full proxy, sitting between the website and its host to deliver robust security and performance features.
Network & Architecture
EdgeCast operates 25 data centers across seven countries, with points of presence (PoPs) in North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions, following its acquisition by Parler Cloud Technologies. The network leverages a private backbone and peering agreements to optimize content delivery. It integrates with Triton DataCenter for enhanced cloud hosting capabilities. The architecture is designed for low-latency video streaming and edge computing, with strong global coverage but limited public details on specific PoP counts or capacity.
Incapsula operates a global CDN with points of presence (PoPs) across the Americas (e.g., Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles), Europe (e.g., Amsterdam, London, Frankfurt), and Asia-Pacific (e.g., Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo). The network includes recent expansions in India (New Delhi, Mumbai). It uses intelligent caching, TCP optimization, and frequency analysis to prioritize frequently accessed files, reducing latency. Routing and peering details are not fully public, but the platform emphasizes high-capacity scrubbing centers (100+ Gbps per Behemoth scrubber) for DDoS mitigation. It performs well globally but has a stronger presence in North America and EMEA, with growing coverage in APAC and India.
Feature comparison
| Feature | EdgeCast | Incapsula |
|---|---|---|
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
Pricing details are not publicly disclosed by Parler Cloud Technologies. Customers must contact the sales team for custom quotes. No free tier or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) options are explicitly mentioned, suggesting an enterprise-focused model.
Incapsula offers a free tier for up to 10 pages, including CDN, IPv6 support, and basic bot protection. Paid plans start at $59/month (Pro) and $299/month (Business) per site, with enterprise plans customized. Pricing is pay-as-you-go (PAYG) with committed options for enterprises. DDoS protection significantly increases costs on higher tiers. Full details are at https://www.imperva.com/pricing/.
Integrations & DevEx
EdgeCast supports an API-first approach for configuration and management. Real-time logs are available for monitoring performance. Integration with Triton DataCenter enhances its cloud hosting capabilities. No specific details are provided on Terraform support, SDKs, or CI/CD integrations.
Incapsula supports API-first integrations for configuration and monitoring, with real-time logs and log push for analytics. It lacks Terraform support or dedicated SDKs for CI/CD pipelines. The platform provides a dashboard for bot traffic and WAF alerts, but migration tools are limited, requiring manual configuration or support from Imperva for complex setups.
When it fits
- Suitable for media companies needing robust video streaming (live and VOD) with HLS/DASH packaging and RTMP ingest.
- Ideal for enterprises seeking edge computing and serverless functions integrated with CDN services.
- Fits platforms like Parler Social or PlayTV requiring global content delivery with DDoS protection.
- Businesses needing robust web security with CDN, especially for DDoS and bot mitigation.
- High-traffic sites requiring global performance with strong North American and EMEA presence.
- Enterprises seeking API-driven control and real-time monitoring for security events.
When it doesn’t
- May not suit small businesses or developers looking for transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing models.
- Limited public details on PoP coverage or advanced integrations like Terraform may deter DevOps-focused teams.
- Not ideal for users needing extensive security features like WAF, bot mitigation, or signed URLs.
- Sites focused on video streaming or live content, as video-specific features like VOD or HLS/DASH are absent.
- Small projects needing lightweight, developer-centric CDN without security overhead.
- Budget-conscious users, as premium security features increase costs significantly.
History & Notes
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