Fastly vs Netlify · 2026
What's the difference between Fastly and Netlify?
Short answer
Fastly and Netlify are both web hosting tools. Fastly is a company that provides a content delivery network, or CDN, to help websites load faster and more securely. Web development platform for deploying static sites and serverless functions. Pick based on team size, integration needs, and budget.
Vendors update features and pricing often. For the most accurate, up-to-date details, always check Fastly's site and Netlify's site directly.
Services that store your website files and make them accessible on the internet.
Fastly: Fastly is a company that provides a content delivery network, or CDN, to help websites load faster and more securely. Think of it like a big network of computers around the world that work together to make sure your favorite websites load quickly and don't crash. When you visit a website, your computer has to send a request to the website's server to get all the files it needs to display the page. This can take a lot of time, especially if the website has a lot of visitors at the same time. Fastly helps to speed up this process by storing copies of popular website files in different places around the world. When you visit the website, your computer can request these files from the Fastly servers closest to you, which is much faster than getting them directly from the website's server. For a business, Fastly can help to make sure their website loads quickly and smoothly, even during busy times like sales or holidays. This can improve the user experience for customers and make it more likely that they will buy something from the website. Fastly can also provide extra security measures to protect against cyber attacks, which is important for any business that handles sensitive information like credit card numbers. Overall, using Fastly can help a business to improve website performance and security, which can lead to more sales and happier customers.
Netlify: Netlify is a comprehensive web development and hosting platform designed to simplify the deployment of modern web applications. At its core, it provides an automated workflow that connects directly to a developer's version control system, such as GitHub or GitLab. When code changes are pushed, Netlify automatically builds the site and distributes it across a global Edge network. This architecture moves beyond traditional server management by focusing on the Jamstack approach, where frontend assets are pre-built and server-side logic is handled through scalable serverless functions rather than a single persistent server instance. For businesses, Netlify acts as the central hub for the frontend layer of the technology stack. It eliminates the traditional friction points between development and production, such as manual file transfers, complex server configuration, and SSL certificate management. By automating the deployment pipeline, it removes the need for dedicated DevOps resources to maintain web servers. This allows digital teams to iterate rapidly, using built-in tools for form handling, identity management, and split testing without having to integrate disparate third-party services or manage separate backend infrastructure for basic site requirements. Adopting Netlify allows a team to level up by significantly reducing time-to-market for new features and ensuring high performance through its distributed content delivery network. The platform offers unique developer experience features like Deploy Previews, which generate a live URL for every pull request to facilitate immediate stakeholder feedback. However, teams must weigh the trade-offs of the serverless model. While it offers incredible scale and security, it may require a shift in architectural thinking for teams accustomed to monolithic applications, and highly complex database-heavy operations may still require a decoupled backend service to function effectively.
Fastly vs Netlify: at a glance
| Fastly | Netlify | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Web Hosting | Web Hosting |
| Best suited for | Engineering & DevOps Teams, High Growth and Media Enterprises, eCommerce & Retail, and Streaming and Gaming. platform built for developers, large enterprises, and high-traffic websites that need real-time performance, custom programmability, and robust web security | Solo Developers & Hobbyists, Frontend and Web Teams, AI & Modern App Builders, and Enterprise Businesses. a web development and hosting platform built for frontend developers, full-stack engineers, and digital teams who want to launch and scale modern websites and web apps without managing server infrastructure |
| Standout strength | Reduced Website Downtime | Zero server setup |
| In one line | Fastly is a company that provides a content delivery network, or CDN, to help websites load faster and more securely. | Web development platform for deploying static sites and serverless functions. |
| Current pricing | Published on Fastly's site | Published on Netlify's site |
Why is Fastly right for my business?
Fastly is a company that provides a content delivery network, or CDN, to help websites load faster and more securely. Think of it like a big network of computers around the world that work together to make sure your favorite websites load quickly and don't crash. When you visit a website, your computer has to send a request to the website's server to get all the files it needs to display the page. This can take a lot of time, especially if the website has a lot of visitors at the same time. Fastly helps to speed up this process by storing copies of popular website files in different places around the world. When you visit the website, your computer can request these files from the Fastly servers closest to you, which is much faster than getting them directly from the website's server. For a business, Fastly can help to make sure their website loads quickly and smoothly, even during busy times like sales or holidays. This can improve the user experience for customers and make it more likely that they will buy something from the website. Fastly can also provide extra security measures to protect against cyber attacks, which is important for any business that handles sensitive information like credit card numbers. Overall, using Fastly can help a business to improve website performance and security, which can lead to more sales and happier customers. Built for Engineering & DevOps Teams, High Growth and Media Enterprises, eCommerce & Retail, and Streaming and Gaming. platform built for developers, large enterprises, and high-traffic websites that need real-time performance, custom programmability, and robust web security.
- Reduced Website Downtime
- Better Website Scalability
- Improved Conversion Rates
- Customer Security
Why is Netlify right for my business?
Netlify is a comprehensive web development and hosting platform designed to simplify the deployment of modern web applications. At its core, it provides an automated workflow that connects directly to a developer's version control system, such as GitHub or GitLab. When code changes are pushed, Netlify automatically builds the site and distributes it across a global Edge network. This architecture moves beyond traditional server management by focusing on the Jamstack approach, where frontend assets are pre-built and server-side logic is handled through scalable serverless functions rather than a single persistent server instance. For businesses, Netlify acts as the central hub for the frontend layer of the technology stack. It eliminates the traditional friction points between development and production, such as manual file transfers, complex server configuration, and SSL certificate management. By automating the deployment pipeline, it removes the need for dedicated DevOps resources to maintain web servers. This allows digital teams to iterate rapidly, using built-in tools for form handling, identity management, and split testing without having to integrate disparate third-party services or manage separate backend infrastructure for basic site requirements. Adopting Netlify allows a team to level up by significantly reducing time-to-market for new features and ensuring high performance through its distributed content delivery network. The platform offers unique developer experience features like Deploy Previews, which generate a live URL for every pull request to facilitate immediate stakeholder feedback. However, teams must weigh the trade-offs of the serverless model. While it offers incredible scale and security, it may require a shift in architectural thinking for teams accustomed to monolithic applications, and highly complex database-heavy operations may still require a decoupled backend service to function effectively. Built for Solo Developers & Hobbyists, Frontend and Web Teams, AI & Modern App Builders, and Enterprise Businesses. a web development and hosting platform built for frontend developers, full-stack engineers, and digital teams who want to launch and scale modern websites and web apps without managing server infrastructure.
- Zero server setup
Which is better, Fastly or Netlify?
Both Fastly and Netlify are web hosting tools, so the decision comes down to fit rather than capability. Choose Fastly if you are engineering & DevOps Teams, High Growth and Media Enterprises, eCommerce & Retail, and Streaming and Gaming. platform built for developers, large enterprises, and high-traffic websites that need real-time performance, custom programmability, and robust web security. Choose Netlify if you are solo Developers & Hobbyists, Frontend and Web Teams, AI & Modern App Builders, and Enterprise Businesses. a web development and hosting platform built for frontend developers, full-stack engineers, and digital teams who want to launch and scale modern websites and web apps without managing server infrastructure. Confirm current pricing and integration coverage on each vendor's site before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fastly better than Netlify?
Neither is universally better—it depends on your use case. Fastly is typically chosen for reduced website downtime, while Netlify is often picked for zero server setup. Evaluate both against your team size, existing stack, and budget before deciding.
What's the main difference between Fastly and Netlify?
Both are web hosting platforms, but they take different approaches. Fastly is a company that provides a content delivery network, or CDN, to help websites load faster and more securely. Web development platform for deploying static sites and serverless functions. Check each vendor's site for the latest feature breakdown.
Can I switch from Fastly to Netlify?
Most teams can migrate between web hosting tools, but the effort depends on data volume, custom configurations, and integrations. Plan for an export/import cycle, a parallel-run period, and updates to any downstream systems. Both vendors publish migration documentation—check Fastly's and Netlify's sites for current export options.
Which is more affordable, Fastly or Netlify?
Pricing for both tools changes frequently and depends on seats, usage tiers, and contract length. Refer to Fastly's and Netlify's pricing pages for the most accurate, up-to-date figures before committing.
Still deciding between Fastly and Netlify?
Our consultants can evaluate both tools against your specific stack, budget, and go-to-market motion.