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Cloud & Infrastructure · head to head

Akamai vs Backblaze

Akamai logo

Akamai

Cloud & Infrastructure

Leading content delivery and security platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Backblaze logo

Backblaze

File Storage & Backup

Unlimited cloud backup at an affordable price

From
$9/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Akamai only the cloud computing services carry published rates; security and content delivery products require contacting sales for a price; Backblaze personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option
  • They diverge on capability: Akamai covers CDN, Backblaze covers Unlimited backup.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akamai and Backblaze actually diverge.

Attributes where Akamai and Backblaze differ
AttributeAkamaiBackblaze
Starting price$1000/month$9/month
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
PlatformsWeb, ApiWindows, macOS, Web
CategoryCloud & InfrastructureFile Storage & Backup
Founded19982007

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Akamai

  • CDN
  • DDoS Protection
  • Web Application Firewall
  • Bot Management
  • Image Optimization
  • Video Platform
  • API Gateway
  • Analytics

Only in Backblaze

  • Unlimited backup
  • Continuous backup
  • Version history
  • Private encryption key
  • Restore by mail
  • Mobile apps
  • macOS
  • Windows

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Akamai

  • Content delivery and web performance through Ion and adaptive media deliverynot Backblaze
  • DDoS protection, bot management and API securitynot Backblaze
  • Running compute, Kubernetes and managed databases on Akamai's cloudnot Backblaze
  • Edge compute with EdgeWorkersnot Backblaze
  • Zero trust access for enterprise applicationsnot Backblaze

Backblaze

  • Unlimited backup of a personal computer and external drivesnot Akamai
  • Restoring files from anywhere through the webnot Akamai
  • Mailed hard drive restore for large recoveriesnot Akamai
  • Private encryption key control for sensitive datanot Akamai

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Akamai

  • Only the cloud computing services carry published rates; security and content delivery products require contacting sales for a price
  • Cloud pricing varies by region across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific rather than being a single rate

Backblaze

  • Personal Backup is $99 a year billed annually, with no monthly option
  • Web restores are capped at 500GB per request
  • Forever version history is a Business tier add-on rather than included
  • Administrative controls and SSO are Business features
  • Backs up user data from a computer and attached drives, so NAS and server backup are not covered by the personal plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Akamai

$1000/month
  • CDN$1000/month
    • Content delivery
    • Global edge network
    • Real-time analytics
  • Security Suite$2000/month
    • DDoS protection
    • WAF
    • Bot management

Backblaze

$9/month
  • Personal Backup$9/month
    • Unlimited storage for single computer
    • Unlimited version history
    • 30-day trial
  • B2 Cloud Storage$6/TB/month
    • S3-compatible storage
    • Pay-as-you-go model

Which should you pick?

Choose Akamai if

  • You need cdn.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want ddos protection.
Akamai review

Choose Backblaze if

  • You need unlimited backup.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web.
  • You also want continuous backup.
Backblaze review

Questions people ask

Is Akamai or Backblaze better?
Neither clearly leads. Akamai starts at $1000/month and Backblaze at $9/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akamai or Backblaze?
Akamai starts at $1000/month and Backblaze at $9/month.
Does Akamai or Backblaze run on more platforms?
Akamai runs on Web, Api. Backblaze runs on Windows, macOS, Web.
What is Akamai best used for?
Akamai is most often used for content delivery and web performance through ion and adaptive media delivery, ddos protection, bot management and api security, running compute, kubernetes and managed databases on akamai's cloud, edge compute with edgeworkers. Of those, content delivery and web performance through ion and adaptive media delivery and ddos protection, bot management and api security are not what Backblaze is typically brought in for.
What can Akamai do that Backblaze cannot?
Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Backblaze covers Unlimited backup, Continuous backup, Version history, Private encryption key. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Backblaze: What is the pricing for Backblaze Personal Backup?

Backblaze Personal Backup costs $9/month on monthly billing or $8.25/month when billed annually, providing unlimited storage for a single computer.

Source
Backblaze: What storage options does Backblaze B2 offer?

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage is priced at $6/TB per month with a pay-as-you-go model, and is S3 compatible for flexible cloud storage.

Source
Backblaze: Does Backblaze support Linux systems?

No. Backblaze does not support Linux operating systems, limiting it to Windows, macOS, and web access only.

Source
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