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Software · head to head

Akamai vs Couchbase

Akamai logo

Akamai

Software

Leading content delivery and security platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Couchbase logo

Couchbase

Software

The modern database for enterprise applications

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Couchbase has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Couchbase the free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • They diverge on capability: Akamai covers CDN, Couchbase covers JSON Document Model.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akamai and Couchbase actually diverge.

Attributes where Akamai and Couchbase differ
AttributeAkamaiCouchbase
Starting price$1000/monthFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, ApiLinux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web
Founded19982011

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • AWS

Only in Couchbase

  • JSON Document Model
  • SQL++ Query
  • Full-text Search
  • Eventing
  • Mobile Sync
  • Multi-dimensional Scaling
  • Kafka
  • Spark

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • 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 Couchbase
  • DDoS protection, bot management and API securitynot Couchbase
  • Running compute, Kubernetes and managed databases on Akamai's cloudnot Couchbase
  • Edge compute with EdgeWorkersnot Couchbase
  • Zero trust access for enterprise applicationsnot Couchbase

Couchbase

  • Running a distributed NoSQL document database as a managed servicenot Akamai
  • Mobile sync and offline first applications backed by a cloud databasenot 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

Couchbase

  • The free tier is a single node with 8 GB of storage and forum support only
  • Node rates are hourly and quoted as starting figures, from $0.15 an hour on Basic to $0.49 on Enterprise
  • The Developer Pro and Enterprise plans require 3 nodes, so the hourly rate multiplies before any usage
  • Backup storage is billed separately at $0.07 per GB a month, and analytics backups at $0.14
  • Support response time is a plan feature, at 8 hours on Developer Pro against 30 minutes on Enterprise
  • AI and analytics run as separately priced planes at up to $0.86 an hour per node

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

Couchbase

Free
  • CommunityFree
    • Full features
    • Community support
    • Self-managed
  • Capella FreeFree
    • Managed service
    • Limited resources
    • Cloud hosted

Which should you pick?

Choose Akamai if

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

Choose Couchbase if

  • You need json document model.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
  • You also want sql++ query.

Questions people ask

Is Akamai or Couchbase better?
Neither clearly leads. Akamai starts at $1000/month and Couchbase at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akamai or Couchbase?
Couchbase has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1000/month for Akamai and Free for Couchbase.
Does Akamai or Couchbase run on more platforms?
Akamai runs on Web, Api. Couchbase runs on Linux, Windows, Mac, Docker, Web.
Can I use Couchbase for free?
Yes. Couchbase has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akamai starts at $1000/month.
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 Couchbase is typically brought in for.
What can Akamai do that Couchbase cannot?
Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Couchbase covers JSON Document Model, SQL++ Query, Full-text Search, Eventing. Both handle Analytics, Web support.

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