Software · head to head
Hetzner Cloud vs Akamai
The short version
- Only Hetzner Cloud has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; Akamai only the cloud computing services carry published rates; security and content delivery products require contacting sales for a price
- They diverge on capability: Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Akamai covers CDN.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and Akamai actually diverge.
| Attribute | Hetzner Cloud | Akamai |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1000/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api, Cli | Web, Api |
| Founded | 1997 | 1998 |
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 Hetzner Cloud
- Cloud servers
- Block storage
- Object storage
- Load balancers
- Networks
- Firewalls
- Floating IPs
- Backups
Only in Akamai
- CDN
- DDoS Protection
- Web Application Firewall
- Bot Management
- Image Optimization
- Video Platform
- API Gateway
- Analytics
Both cover
- DDoS protection
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Api support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Hetzner Cloud
- Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot Akamai
- European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot Akamai
- Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot Akamai
- Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot Akamai
Akamai
- Content delivery and web performance through Ion and adaptive media deliverynot Hetzner Cloud
- DDoS protection, bot management and API securitynot Hetzner Cloud
- Running compute, Kubernetes and managed databases on Akamai's cloudnot Hetzner Cloud
- Edge compute with EdgeWorkersnot Hetzner Cloud
- Zero trust access for enterprise applicationsnot Hetzner Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Hetzner Cloud
- Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
- The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
- Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
- The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
- Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Hetzner Cloud
Free- CX11$3.29/month
- 1 vCPU
- 1GB RAM
- 25GB SSD
- CX21$6.59/month
- 2 vCPU
- 4GB RAM
- 40GB SSD
Akamai
$1000/month- CDN$1000/month
- Content delivery
- Global edge network
- Real-time analytics
- Security Suite$2000/month
- DDoS protection
- WAF
- Bot management
Which should you pick?
Choose Hetzner Cloud if
- You need cloud servers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api, Cli.
- You also want block storage.
Questions people ask
- Is Hetzner Cloud or Akamai better?
- Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Akamai at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or Akamai?
- Hetzner Cloud has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Hetzner Cloud and $1000/month for Akamai.
- Does Hetzner Cloud or Akamai run on more platforms?
- Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli. Akamai runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
- Yes. Hetzner Cloud has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akamai starts at $1000/month.
- What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
- Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what Akamai is typically brought in for.
- What can Hetzner Cloud do that Akamai cannot?
- Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers. Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Both handle DDoS protection, Cloud deployment, Web support, Api support.
Related pages
More on Hetzner Cloud
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