Company snapshot
| Category | Highwinds | Vercara |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Vercara, formerly Neustar Security Services, is a cloud-based provider of CDN, DNS, and cybersecurity solutions, focusing on enterprise-grade services. It offers UltraDNS for managed authoritative DNS and UltraDDoS Protect, UltraWAF, UltraAPI, and UltraEdge for security and performance. Acquired by DigiCert in September 2024, Vercara serves over 2,000 enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, across industries like finance, e-commerce, and healthcare. Its solutions emphasize uptime, security, and scalability for complex digital infrastructures. Vercara handles approximately 30% of global internet traffic, processing over 9 trillion DNS queries daily.
Network & Architecture
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Vercara operates a global network with points of presence (POPs) across 16 regions, including a recently added node in Toronto. Its UltraDNS service ensures low-latency DNS resolution, and its DDoS mitigation network has a capacity exceeding 15 Tbps. The platform is designed for high availability, with a reported 100% uptime for DNS services. It has strong regional coverage in North America, EMEA, and APAC, serving global enterprises with hybrid cloud setups. Specific peering and routing details are not publicly disclosed, but Vercara’s infrastructure supports major hyperscalers and high-traffic verticals.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Highwinds | Vercara |
|---|---|---|
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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Vercara operates on an enterprise-only model, with pricing tailored to customer needs and no public per-GB rates disclosed. It does not offer a free tier or pay-as-you-go options, focusing on committed contracts for large organizations. Specific pricing details are available only through direct sales consultation. No public pricing page is provided.
Integrations & DevEx
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Vercara supports Terraform for infrastructure automation, integrating with DevOps workflows. Its API-first design enables programmatic control of DNS and security services. Real-time logs are available for monitoring, though log push or streaming capabilities are not explicitly documented. Integration with HashiCorp Consul-Terraform-Sync enhances DNS management automation. Migration tools or specific SDKs are not publicly detailed, but Vercara’s enterprise focus suggests customized onboarding support.
When it fits
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- Large enterprises needing robust DNS and DDoS protection with 100% uptime guarantees.
- Organizations with hybrid cloud setups requiring integrated DNS and certificate management.
- High-traffic industries like finance or e-commerce needing scalable security solutions.
When it doesn’t
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- Small businesses or startups seeking pay-as-you-go or free-tier CDN options.
- Users needing transparent pricing or self-service onboarding without sales consultation.
- Applications requiring advanced video streaming features like HLS/DASH packaging or DRM.
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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