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.

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.

Features

Azure CDN includes a web application firewall (WAF) and DDoS protection for security. It offers image optimization and video streaming for both VOD and live content. Edge compute is supported via Azure Functions, enabling custom logic at the edge. Instant purge, tiered caching, origin shield, stale-while-revalidate, and stale-if-error are available. Real-time logs and analytics are provided, along with WebSocket and signed URL support. The API-first design facilitates automation.

Pricing Snapshot (2025-08-16)

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/.

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.

When it fits / When it doesn’t

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.

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.