Company snapshot
| Category | OnApp CDN | Pipe Network |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
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.
Pipe Network is a decentralized content delivery network (CDN) built on the Solana blockchain, designed to provide low-latency, high-quality media streaming. Founded in 2020 by David Rhodus, it leverages a network of over 280,000 permissionless Points of Presence (PoPs) operated by community contributors. The platform targets developers, content providers, and operators needing scalable, secure content delivery. It integrates with Solana’s high-throughput blockchain for efficient transaction handling and uses hyper-local nodes to reduce latency. Pipe Network’s Firestarter Storage, launched in July 2025, enhances its offerings by hosting Solana’s 1-petabyte Proof of History archive. Customers include decentralized storage platforms like Walrus Protocol, which uses Pipe for last-mile content delivery.
Network & Architecture
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.
Pipe Network operates a global network of over 280,000 hyper-local PoP nodes, deployable on any Linux-capable device, significantly reducing latency to single-digit milliseconds by placing nodes within 20–50 miles of end-users. Unlike traditional CDNs like Cloudflare or Akamai, which rely on centralized data centers, Pipe’s decentralized model uses residential, regional, and core aggregator nodes for tiered caching. It employs Solana’s blockchain for node coordination and zero-knowledge proofs (zkTCP/zkQUIC) for secure, verifiable delivery. The network excels in underserved regions, with strong coverage in rural areas like Mauritius. However, its decentralized nature may pose challenges for enterprise-grade SLAs in highly regulated markets.
Feature comparison
| Feature | OnApp CDN | Pipe Network |
|---|---|---|
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
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)
Pipe Network uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model, with pricing tied to its $PIPE token. Firestarter Storage costs 1 $PIPE per gigabyte for the basic tier at token launch. A token sale from June 26 to July 3, 2025, offered 15,000,000 $PIPE tokens at $0.20 each. No free tier or committed contract details are publicly specified, but the burn-mint equilibrium model incentivizes node operators with rewards based on bandwidth served. Pricing details are available at https://pipe.network/pricing.[](https://web3.bitget.com/en/dapp/pipe-network-27065)[](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/pipe-firestarter-storage-launches-making-200500271.html)
Integrations & DevEx
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.
Pipe Network supports Terraform for infrastructure-as-code (IaC) deployments and provides a public SDK with REST, gRPC APIs, and CLI helpers, set for release in summer 2025. Pipe-Box, a server rack appliance, enables network communication behind secure firewalls. Real-time logs are available, aiding developers in monitoring performance. Integration with Solana ensures efficient transaction handling, while partnerships with platforms like Shelby and Walrus Protocol enhance decentralized storage and content delivery. Migration tools are not explicitly documented, but the platform mimics Akamai APIs for easier integration.
When it fits
- 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.
- Ideal for decentralized apps (dApps) and blockchain-based projects needing low-latency content delivery on Solana.
- Suits video streaming and AI inference workloads requiring hyper-local nodes and scalable storage, like Firestarter Storage.
- Fits developers seeking cost-effective, API-first CDN solutions with Terraform support and edge compute capabilities.
When it doesn’t
- 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.
- Less suitable for enterprises requiring strict regulatory compliance or guaranteed SLAs, due to its decentralized model.
- Not ideal for regions with limited Solana blockchain adoption or where node operator density is low.
- May not meet needs of users prioritizing traditional CDN features like advanced WAF or DRM, which Pipe lacks.
History & Notes
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