Fastly vs Linode (Akamai): Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of Fastly and Linode (Akamai). See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Fastly starts at Custom pricing and Linode (Akamai) starts at $5/mo. Compare all 7 pricing tiers side by side.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Fastly vs Linode (Akamai): Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | Fastly | Linode (Akamai) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $5/mo |
| Number of Plans | 3 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Fastly and Linode (Akamai) are both priced at Custom pricing, making them equally accessible Hosting & Infra tools. Together they offer 7 pricing plans with 16 features compared, so the best choice comes down to which features match your needs.
Fastly stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Hosting & Infra needs.
| Pricing Plans | Fastly Try it free | Linode (Akamai) Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Tier $0/monthCheapest | |
| Tier 2 | Usage-based, volume discounts Custom pricing | Shared CPU 2GB $12/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Enterprise solutions Custom pricing | Dedicated CPU 4GBPopular $36/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 4 | — | High Memory 24GB $60/monthCheapest Includes
|
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Which Should You Choose?
Choose Fastly if:
- •You need a free plan with core features—Fastly offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •Your team needs custom enterprise pricing—Fastly offers negotiated terms for large deployments
- •You prioritize Fastly's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Choose Linode (Akamai) if:
- •You need 4 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—Linode (Akamai) offers 16 additional features across its plans
- •You prioritize Linode (Akamai)'s user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
Fastly offers a free plan [1], eliminating the cost barrier for evaluation, while Linode (Akamai) requires paid subscription from the start. This gives Fastly a significant advantage for teams with budget constraints or extended trial periods. Once you outgrow Fastly's free tier, upgrading to a paid plan at approximately Custom pricing provides substantial additional functionality. Compare this pricing path against Linode (Akamai)'s tiering starting at $5/mo to assess total cost of ownership over 12 months. Fastly's 3 tiers provide flexibility at different budgets, while Linode (Akamai)'s 4 tiers structure may force you into higher-cost plans than necessary for your use case. If evaluation cost matters to your decision, Fastly is the obvious starting point with zero financial commitment. Use the free tier to validate core functionality before committing to paid plans from either tool.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fastly vs Linode (Akamai)
How many pricing plans does Fastly have vs Linode (Akamai)?
Does Fastly or Linode (Akamai) offer a free plan?
What is the most popular Linode (Akamai) plan?
Does Fastly or Linode (Akamai) offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do Fastly and Linode (Akamai) compare for Hosting & Infra?
Sources
- Fastly Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Linode (Akamai) Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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