Company snapshot
| Category | Highwinds | OnApp CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Highwinds Network Group, Inc., founded in 2002, provided content delivery network (CDN) services, cloud storage, IP transit, and colocation, serving clients like Blip.TV, Hudl, Valve, and CCP Games. Its RollingThunder network supported video streaming and gaming content delivery. Acquired by StackPath in 2017, Highwinds CDN was integrated into StackPath’s offerings but was discontinued in November 2023 as StackPath exited the CDN business. The service is now defunct, with no active operations.
OnApp CDN is a federated content delivery network designed for hosting providers, utilizing spare capacity in OnApp Clouds to deliver content globally. It supports HTTP push, pull, and streaming/live streaming, catering to hosting providers and enterprises managing web content delivery. The platform integrates with OnApp Cloud, enabling users to leverage a network of edge servers for improved performance. It is primarily used by service providers and enterprises needing scalable CDN solutions. The service is operational as of August 16, 2025, with recent updates enhancing its reporting capabilities.
Network & Architecture
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OnApp CDN operates a global network of Points of Presence (PoPs) by leveraging spare capacity from OnApp Clouds, though specific PoP counts are not publicly detailed. It uses a federated model, combining edge servers from multiple cloud hosts to ensure broad geographic coverage. The platform supports content delivery across regions including North America, EMEA, APAC, and others, with synchronization between CDN and OnApp Cloud occurring every 20 minutes by default. Regional strengths include flexibility for hosting providers, but limitations may arise from reliance on third-party cloud capacity, potentially affecting consistency in less dense regions.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Highwinds | OnApp CDN |
|---|---|---|
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
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OnApp CDN primarily targets enterprise clients, with pricing typically based on committed contracts tailored to hosting providers. No public per-GB pricing is disclosed, and there is no free tier or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) option widely advertised. Pricing details are available through direct inquiry with OnApp sales teams. For more information, visit https://www.virtuozzo.com/onapp-cdn/.[](https://www.virtuozzo.com/onapp-cloud-docs/7.0/release-notes-onapp-6-4/OnApp%2520CDN.pdf)
Integrations & DevEx
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OnApp CDN offers API-first integration for managing CDN resources, with documentation available at https://docs.onapp.com/cdn/. Real-time logs support monitoring, but there is no public evidence of Terraform support, SDKs, or specific CI/CD integrations. The platform includes tools for managing CDN resources within the OnApp Control Panel, with recent UI updates enhancing usability. Migration tools or import capabilities are not explicitly documented.
When it fits
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- Hosting providers needing a federated CDN integrated with OnApp Cloud for scalable content delivery.
- Enterprises requiring video VOD and live streaming with global reach through a network of edge servers.
- Users prioritizing API-driven management and real-time logging for CDN operations.
When it doesn’t
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- Small businesses or startups seeking pay-as-you-go pricing or free tiers, which OnApp CDN does not offer.
- Organizations needing advanced security features like WAF, DDoS protection, or bot mitigation, which are not documented.
- Users requiring edge compute, image optimization, or specific protocol support like HTTP/3, which are unsupported.
History & Notes
Highwinds operated a global network with over 70 points of presence across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, known as RollingThunder. It secured significant funding, including $55 million in 2008 and $205 million in 2013, to expand its CDN infrastructure. After its 2017 acquisition by StackPath, Highwinds’ services were merged but faced integration challenges. Customer feedback on StackPath’s CDN, including Highwinds, highlighted declining support and price increases. Akamai acquired approximately 100 enterprise accounts from StackPath in 2023, but smaller customers needed to find alternatives independently.
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