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Akamai vs Palo Alto Networks

Akamai logo

Akamai

Software

Leading content delivery and security platform

From
$1000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Palo Alto Networks logo

Palo Alto Networks

Software

Enterprise cybersecurity platform

From
On request
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; Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model
  • They diverge on capability: Akamai covers CDN, Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Akamai and Palo Alto Networks actually diverge.

Attributes where Akamai and Palo Alto Networks differ
AttributeAkamaiPalo Alto Networks
Starting price$1000/monthOn request
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWeb, ApiCloud, On-premises, Hybrid
Founded19982005

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Palo Alto Networks

  • Advanced threat prevention
  • Threat detection and response
  • Cloud security
  • Endpoint protection
  • Network security
  • API protection
  • Incident response
  • Threat intelligence

Both cover

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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise network security and threat protectionnot Akamai
  • Cloud-native application protectionnot Akamai
  • Identity and access securitynot Akamai
  • Security operations and incident responsenot 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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise-focused pricing model
  • Complex implementation required

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

Palo Alto Networks

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Threat prevention
    • Detection and response
    • Cloud security

Which should you pick?

Choose Akamai if

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

Choose Palo Alto Networks if

  • You need advanced threat prevention.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want threat detection and response.
Palo Alto Networks review

Questions people ask

Is Akamai or Palo Alto Networks better?
Neither clearly leads. Akamai starts at $1000/month and Palo Alto Networks at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Akamai or Palo Alto Networks?
Akamai starts at $1000/month and Palo Alto Networks at On request.
Does Akamai or Palo Alto Networks run on more platforms?
Akamai runs on Web, Api. Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
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 Palo Alto Networks is typically brought in for.
What can Akamai do that Palo Alto Networks cannot?
Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. Both handle AWS, Cloud deployment, Web support.
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