Company snapshot
| Category | Google Cloud CDN | PageCDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Google Cloud CDN is a content delivery network integrated with Google Cloud. It sits behind Google Cloud Load Balancing to cache and serve HTTP(S) content from edge locations. Typical users are teams already running workloads on Google Cloud that want CDN caching, signed URLs, modern TLS, and consistent operations across the platform. The service emphasizes policy-driven caching, fast invalidation, and security integration through Cloud Armor. Pricing follows a pay-as-you-go model that varies by region and usage.
PageCDN, rebranded as SimpleCDN in 2025, is a content delivery network that combines public and private content delivery to optimize web performance. It serves developers and businesses seeking to accelerate website loading times, particularly for open-source JavaScript, CSS, and font libraries. The service emphasizes easy integration and affordability, targeting small to medium-sized businesses and individual developers. Its network supports global content delivery with a focus on performance enhancements like image optimization and HTTP/3 support.
Network & Architecture
Google Cloud CDN uses Google’s global edge and backbone to terminate HTTP(S) traffic close to end users and fetch from origins over Google’s private network. Coverage spans major regions in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with additional presence in other geographies. Strengths include integration with Google Cloud Load Balancing, Anycast routing, and private backbone connectivity from edge to origin. Limitations can include fewer CDN-specific knobs than specialist CDNs and feature gaps for advanced video packaging.
PageCDN operates a global network with an expanded set of edge locations, though specific POP counts are not publicly detailed. The service leverages a hybrid approach, combining public and private CDN capabilities to reduce latency and improve performance. It has a strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, with less emphasis on regions like Africa or Latin America. Routing and peering details are not extensively documented, but the service prioritizes developer-centric use cases with straightforward integration.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Google Cloud CDN | PageCDN |
|---|---|---|
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
Pay-as-you-go pricing with regional rates for cache egress and request charges. Total cost depends on geography, volume, and cache behavior. See cloud.google.com/cdn/pricing for current details.
PageCDN, under SimpleCDN, uses a pay-as-you-go model with plans starting at $5/month. A free tier is not explicitly advertised, but affordable pricing targets SMBs and developers. Specific per-GB pricing is not publicly listed, but the model emphasizes flexibility without long-term commitments. See details at https://www.simplecdn.com/pricing.
Integrations & DevEx
Deep integrations include Google Cloud Load Balancing for traffic ingress, Cloud Armor for WAF and DDoS protections, Cloud Storage and Compute Engine for origins, and Cloud Logging and Monitoring for observability. Infrastructure as code is supported via Terraform, and a REST API enables CI/CD automation.
PageCDN supports API-first integration, enabling developers to automate content delivery tasks. Real-time logs are available for monitoring performance. It lacks support for Terraform, SDKs, or advanced CI/CD integrations, focusing instead on simple, developer-friendly APIs. Documentation is accessible and covers common use cases for JavaScript, CSS, and font delivery.
When it fits
- Workloads already hosted on Google Cloud that need an integrated CDN layer.
- Teams standardizing on Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Armor, and Cloud Logging.
- Organizations that want signed URLs, HTTP/3, fast purge, and policy-driven caching.
- Buyers who prefer Terraform and API-first management across cloud services.
- Small to medium-sized businesses or developers needing a cost-effective CDN for static assets.
- Projects requiring fast integration with open-source libraries like JavaScript and CSS.
- Use cases prioritizing image optimization and HTTP/3 for modern web performance.
When it doesn’t
- Multi-cloud environments seeking provider-neutral or MultiCDN routing.
- Advanced video workflows needing packaging, DRM, or low-lency live features.
- Use cases requiring built-in image optimization pipelines.
- Projects that rely on WebSocket-heavy bidirectional traffic at the edge.
- Enterprises needing advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation.
- Applications requiring robust video streaming (VoD or live) or DRM support.
- Organizations targeting regions with limited POP coverage, such as Africa or Latin America.
History & Notes
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