Softwr

Software · head to head

Akamai vs npm

Akamai logo

Akamai

Software

Leading content delivery and security platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
npm logo

npm

Software

Package manager for JavaScript

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only npm 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; npm private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only
  • They diverge on capability: Akamai covers CDN, npm covers Package installation.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akamai and npm actually diverge.

Attributes where Akamai and npm differ
AttributeAkamainpm
Starting price$1000/monthFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, ApiWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded19982014

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
  • Analytics

Only in npm

  • Package installation
  • Dependency management
  • Version management
  • Script running
  • Package publishing
  • Security auditing
  • Package discovery
  • CLI interface

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

npm

  • Package managementnot Akamai
  • Dependency installationnot Akamai
  • Project scaffoldingnot Akamai
  • Build automationnot Akamai
  • Package publishingnot Akamai
  • Version controlnot 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

npm

  • Private packages require a paid user or organization account; the free registry publishes publicly only

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

npm

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited public packages
    • Package discovery
    • npm CLI
  • Pro$7/month
    • Unlimited private packages
    • Package analytics
    • Support
  • Teams$7/month
    • Team management
    • Organization packages
    • Audit logs

Which should you pick?

Choose Akamai if

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

Choose npm if

  • You need package installation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want dependency management.
npm review

Questions people ask

Is Akamai or npm better?
Neither clearly leads. Akamai starts at $1000/month and npm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akamai or npm?
npm has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1000/month for Akamai and Free for npm.
Does Akamai or npm run on more platforms?
Akamai runs on Web, Api. npm runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
Can I use npm for free?
Yes. npm 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 npm is typically brought in for.
What can Akamai do that npm cannot?
Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. npm covers Package installation, Dependency management, Version management, Script running.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Akamai

More on npm

Keep looking

Other head to heads