Company snapshot
| Category | G-Core | NS1 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
G-Core, founded in 2011 and headquartered in Luxembourg, operates a global content delivery network (CDN) with a focus on low-latency delivery for video, gaming, and web content. The company serves a range of customers, including gaming platforms, media providers, and enterprises, leveraging its extensive network to optimize performance. Its CDN is designed to handle dynamic and static content, with additional services like cloud hosting and DDoS protection. G-Core targets businesses needing robust global reach and specialized video/gaming delivery.
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
G-Core operates over 150 points of presence (PoPs) across Tier III/IV data centers globally, with a network capacity exceeding 110 Tbps and over 11,000 peering partners. The network spans regions including North America, EMEA, APAC, LATAM, Africa, India, and the Middle East, with an average latency of 30 ms. It uses intelligent routing and TCP/TLS optimization for performance. The company is particularly strong in gaming and video delivery but may have less coverage in certain emerging markets compared to larger providers 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 | G-Core | 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
G-Core uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with a free tier offering limited usage. Pricing varies by region and traffic volume, with per-GB rates available on their pricing page. Enterprise plans are available for high-volume customers, and premium support is offered for migrations. No public per-GB pricing examples are disclosed without signup. See https://gcore.com/cdn/pricing for details.
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
G-Core supports Terraform for programmatic CDN management, enabling versioning and replication across environments. Its API-first approach includes comprehensive documentation for resource configuration. Real-time logs and customizable log exports (5–60 minute latency) via Logs Uploader enhance observability. Migration tools and plugins simplify transitions from deprecated CDNs like StackPath or Lumen Technologies. SDKs and CI/CD integrations are not extensively documented.
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
- Businesses needing low-latency video or gaming content delivery with global reach.
- Enterprises seeking integrated DDoS protection and WAF for secure content delivery.
- Developers using Terraform or APIs for automated CDN management.
- 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
- Organizations requiring extensive edge compute or serverless functions, which G-Core lacks.
- Small businesses needing highly competitive pricing compared to BunnyCDN or Cloudflare.
- Users in regions with sparse PoP coverage, where latency may not match larger providers.
- 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
—
—