Fastly

What is Fastly?

Fastly is an edge cloud platform that delivers content, applications, and APIs with exceptional speed and reliability through its globally distributed network. Founded in 2011 by Artur Bergman, Fastly reimagined content delivery networking by building a platform designed for the modern internet where real-time configuration changes, programmable edge computing, and instant cache invalidation are essential capabilities. The company serves many of the internet’s largest properties, helping them deliver fast, secure, and scalable experiences to users worldwide.

What distinguishes Fastly from traditional CDN providers is its developer-centric approach and real-time capabilities. While legacy CDNs required long propagation times for configuration changes, Fastly deploys changes globally within seconds. The platform’s Varnish-based caching layer combined with edge computing through Compute@Edge enables developers to run custom logic at edge locations, transforming the CDN from simple content cache into a programmable platform. This flexibility makes Fastly particularly attractive for applications requiring dynamic content manipulation at the edge.

Fastly has positioned itself as the premium choice for companies demanding performance, reliability, and developer experience. Major customers including The New York Times, GitHub, Shopify, Pinterest, and Stripe rely on Fastly for mission-critical content delivery. The platform’s emphasis on observability, with real-time analytics and logging, enables operations teams to understand and optimize delivery performance. Fastly’s acquisition of Signal Sciences further expanded capabilities into web application security, creating a comprehensive edge platform.

Key Features

• Instant Purge: Cache invalidation propagates globally within 150 milliseconds, enabling real-time content updates without serving stale data.
• Compute@Edge: Serverless computing platform running WebAssembly at edge locations for custom logic, personalization, and API manipulation.
• Image Optimization: Automatic image resizing, format conversion, and optimization at the edge reducing bandwidth and improving performance.
• VCL Configuration: Powerful Varnish Configuration Language enabling fine-grained control over caching behavior, routing, and request handling.
• Real-Time Analytics: Streaming logs and metrics with sub-second latency providing immediate visibility into traffic and performance.
• DDoS Protection: Automatic distributed denial-of-service attack mitigation leveraging Fastly’s global network capacity.
• TLS Management: Simplified SSL/TLS certificate management with automatic renewal and support for custom certificates.
• Origin Shield: Intermediate caching layer reducing load on origin servers by consolidating requests from edge locations.
• Web Application Firewall: Next-gen WAF powered by Signal Sciences technology protecting against OWASP threats and custom rules.
• Global Network: Points of presence in major markets worldwide with high-capacity connectivity and peering relationships.

Recent Updates and Improvements

Fastly continues advancing edge computing capabilities while enhancing security features and expanding global infrastructure.

• Compute@Edge Enhancements: Improved language support, faster cold starts, and expanded runtime capabilities for edge computing workloads.
• AI Accelerator: Semantic caching for AI/LLM responses reducing latency and costs for AI-powered applications.
• Enhanced WAF: Improved bot detection, API protection, and customizable security rules for comprehensive application security.
• Observability Platform: Unified logging and metrics platform with improved dashboards and alerting capabilities.
• Network Expansion: Additional points of presence and capacity upgrades enhancing global coverage and performance.
• Object Store: Distributed key-value storage accessible from Compute@Edge for stateful edge applications.
• Secret Store: Secure secrets management for edge compute functions protecting API keys and credentials.
• Rate Limiting: Edge-based rate limiting protecting origins and APIs from traffic spikes and abuse.

System Requirements

Fastly Control Panel (Web)

• Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• JavaScript enabled
• Stable internet connection
• Fastly account

Fastly CLI (Windows)

• Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• Minimal disk space
• API token for authentication

Fastly CLI (macOS)

• macOS 10.15 or later
• Intel or Apple Silicon
• Homebrew recommended

Fastly CLI (Linux)

• Any modern Linux distribution
• Package manager or binary installation

How to Get Started with Fastly

Account Setup

1. Visit fastly.com and sign up for an account
2. Verify email and complete registration
3. Create your first service
4. Configure origin server settings
5. Update DNS to point to Fastly

# Install Fastly CLI on macOS
brew install fastly/tap/fastly

# Or download from GitHub releases
# https://github.com/fastly/cli/releases

# Authenticate with API token
fastly profile create

# List services
fastly service list

# Create a new service
fastly service create --name my-service

# View service details
fastly service describe --service-id YOUR_SERVICE_ID

Windows Installation

# Using Scoop
scoop bucket add fastly https://github.com/fastly/scoop-bucket.git
scoop install fastly

# Manual installation
# Download from https://github.com/fastly/cli/releases
# Extract and add to PATH

# Configure authentication
fastly profile create

# Verify installation
fastly version

Linux Installation

# Debian/Ubuntu
wget https://github.com/fastly/cli/releases/download/vX.X.X/fastly_X.X.X_linux_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i fastly_X.X.X_linux_amd64.deb

# Using script
curl -sL https://github.com/fastly/cli/releases/download/vX.X.X/fastly_X.X.X_linux_amd64.tar.gz | tar xz
sudo mv fastly /usr/local/bin/

# Authenticate
fastly profile create

# Test connection
fastly whoami

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Instant Purge: Sub-second cache invalidation enables real-time content updates impossible with traditional CDNs.
• Developer Experience: API-first design, comprehensive CLI, and infrastructure-as-code support streamline developer workflows.
• Edge Computing: Compute@Edge enables sophisticated logic at edge locations beyond simple content caching.
• Real-Time Observability: Streaming analytics and logs provide immediate visibility unavailable from batch-processing competitors.
• Configuration Flexibility: VCL and edge compute enable precise control over caching, routing, and request handling.
• Performance: Consistently ranked among the fastest CDNs in independent performance benchmarks.
• Security Integration: WAF and DDoS protection integrated into the platform rather than bolted on.

Cons

• Pricing: Premium pricing positions Fastly above commodity CDN providers, potentially expensive for large volumes.
• Complexity: VCL and edge computing power comes with learning curve compared to simpler CDN configurations.
• Enterprise Focus: Platform features and pricing target enterprises, potentially overkill for simple use cases.
• Smaller Network: Fewer points of presence than some competitors, though strategically located in major markets.
• Support Tiers: Best support requires premium plans, with standard support more limited.

Fastly vs Alternatives

Who Should Use Fastly?

Fastly is ideal for:

• Media Publishers: News sites and publishers needing instant content updates benefit from sub-second purge capabilities.
• E-commerce Platforms: Online retailers requiring real-time inventory, pricing, and personalization at the edge.
• Streaming Services: Video and audio platforms demanding high-performance, low-latency content delivery.
• SaaS Applications: Software companies needing edge computing for API acceleration and customization.
• Developer Teams: Organizations valuing API-first tools, infrastructure-as-code, and developer experience.
• High-Traffic Sites: Properties with significant traffic volumes requiring reliable, fast global delivery.

Fastly may not be ideal for:

• Budget-Conscious Projects: Small sites with limited budgets may find Fastly’s pricing exceeds simpler alternatives.
• Simple Static Sites: Basic websites without real-time requirements may not justify Fastly’s capabilities.
• Non-Technical Teams: Organizations without developer resources may struggle with VCL complexity.
• Long-TTL Content: Sites with infrequently changing content gain less from instant purge capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Fastly cost?

Fastly uses usage-based pricing with charges for bandwidth, requests, and compute time. Bandwidth pricing varies by region, starting around $0.08/GB for North America with volume discounts available. Compute@Edge charges per request and execution time. There’s no minimum commitment for getting started. Enterprise customers negotiate custom pricing. The pricing calculator on Fastly’s website helps estimate costs for specific traffic patterns.

How does Fastly’s instant purge work?

Fastly’s architecture enables cache invalidation across all global points of presence within approximately 150 milliseconds. When you purge content via API, CLI, or control panel, the request propagates immediately through Fastly’s network. This differs dramatically from traditional CDNs requiring minutes or hours for purge propagation. Instant purge enables use cases like real-time content updates, inventory changes, and personalization that traditional CDNs cannot support.

What is Compute@Edge and when should I use it?

Compute@Edge is Fastly’s serverless computing platform running WebAssembly at edge locations. Use it for request/response manipulation, authentication, A/B testing, personalization, API orchestration, and any logic that benefits from edge execution. Languages including Rust, JavaScript, and Go compile to WebAssembly. Compute@Edge suits applications needing custom logic without round trips to origin servers. Simple caching scenarios don’t require it.

How does Fastly compare to Cloudflare?

Both are modern edge platforms but with different focuses. Fastly emphasizes developer control through VCL and instant purge for real-time scenarios. Cloudflare offers broader services including DNS, email, and zero-trust security with simpler configuration. Fastly’s real-time logging and analytics surpass Cloudflare’s. Cloudflare’s free tier makes it accessible for small sites. Choose Fastly for developer flexibility and real-time needs; Cloudflare for all-in-one simplicity.

Does Fastly offer DDoS protection?

Yes, Fastly includes DDoS protection as part of the platform. The globally distributed network absorbs volumetric attacks through its substantial bandwidth capacity. Edge logic can implement custom rate limiting and blocking rules. The Signal Sciences-powered WAF provides application-layer attack protection. Enterprise customers receive additional DDoS mitigation services and support. Protection activates automatically without manual intervention during attacks.

Final Verdict

Fastly has earned its position as the premium edge platform for organizations demanding the best in performance, flexibility, and developer experience. The sub-second cache purge capability alone justifies consideration for any application where real-time content updates matter. Combined with powerful edge computing through Compute@Edge, Fastly transforms CDN from simple caching layer into programmable platform.

The platform’s strengths resonate particularly with technical teams. VCL configuration provides unmatched control over caching behavior. Real-time streaming logs and analytics enable observability impossible with batch-processing competitors. The API-first approach and excellent CLI align with modern DevOps practices. These capabilities explain why demanding properties like GitHub, Shopify, and major media companies rely on Fastly.

For organizations where performance, real-time capabilities, and developer experience justify premium pricing, Fastly represents the leading choice. Simpler use cases or budget-constrained projects may find adequate alternatives at lower costs. Evaluate specific requirements around purge speed, edge computing, and observability when comparing options. For those who need what Fastly offers, no competitor fully matches the combination of capabilities.