Company snapshot
| Category | Microsoft Azure | PageCDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
Microsoft Azure CDN provides content delivery services through a global network of edge nodes, integrated with Azure’s cloud ecosystem. It serves enterprises, developers, and media companies, offering caching, security, and analytics. The service supports web content, video streaming, and edge compute capabilities. Azure partners with Akamai and Verizon for its underlying infrastructure in some configurations.
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
Azure CDN operates over 100 points of presence (POPs) globally, with strong coverage in North America, EMEA, and APAC. It leverages Microsoft’s global backbone and partnerships with Akamai and Verizon for optimized routing and peering. The service supports HTTP/3 and dynamic content acceleration. Limited public data exists on specific peering arrangements or regional performance nuances.
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 | Microsoft Azure | 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
Azure CDN uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with tiered pricing based on regions and usage. No free tier is offered, and pricing is enterprise-focused. Example: data transfer costs ~$0.08/GB in North America (subject to change). Full details at https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/cdn/.
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
Azure CDN supports Terraform for infrastructure-as-code. SDKs are available for multiple languages (Python, .NET, Java). Real-time logs and analytics integrate with Azure Monitor. Migration tools are provided for importing configurations from other CDNs. The API-first approach simplifies integration with CI/CD pipelines.
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
- Enterprises already using Azure services, seeking seamless CDN integration.
- Organizations needing global reach with strong North America and EMEA presence.
- Developers requiring edge compute with Azure Functions and Terraform support.
- 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
- Small businesses or startups looking for a free tier or lower-cost options.
- Users needing specialized video features like HLS/DASH packaging or DRM.
- Those requiring detailed public data on network peering or POP specifics.
- 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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