AWS Amplify vs Fastly: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
AWS Amplify positions itself as "full-stack hosting and backend for web and mobile apps on aws" while Fastly goes after "real-time cdn and edge computing for high-performance apps" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. AWS Amplify lets you start for free, which means you can validate the fit before committing budget. Fastly requires a paid commitment upfront, so make sure it matches your workflow before signing. Fastly (founded 2011) has had more time to build out its ecosystem and integrations, while AWS Amplify (2017) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| AWS Amplify | Fastly | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 68/100 | 76/100 |
| Starting price | Free | $50/mo |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Best for | Full-stack hosting and backend for web and mobile apps on AWS | Real-time CDN and edge computing for high-performance apps |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
| Git push deploys | Yes | No |
| Preview environments | Yes | No |
| Custom domains | Yes | No |
| Automatic HTTPS | Yes | No |
| Build pipeline | Yes | No |
| CDN | No | Yes |
| DDoS protection | No | Yes |
| Instant cache purge | No | Yes |
| WAF | No | Yes |
| Real-time analytics | No | Yes |
advanced
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
| Auth (Cognito) | Yes | No |
| API (AppSync/API GW) | Yes | No |
| Storage (S3) | Yes | No |
| Functions (Lambda) | Yes | No |
| Hosting SSR | Yes | No |
| Compute@Edge (Wasm) | No | Yes |
| Image optimization | No | Yes |
| Origin shielding | No | Yes |
| Custom VCL | No | Yes |
| Bot management | No | Yes |
integrations
| Feature | AWS Amplify | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Yes | No |
| GitLab | Yes | No |
| Bitbucket | Yes | No |
| All AWS services | Yes | No |
| AWS CodeCommit | Yes | No |
| AWS | No | Yes |
| GCP | No | Yes |
| Terraform | No | Yes |
| Fastly CLI | No | Yes |
| GitHub Actions | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing AWS Amplify means going without CDN, DDoS protection, Instant cache purge (which Fastly offers). Choosing Fastly means losing Git push deploys, Preview environments, Custom domains. These are the features that typically drive the final decision — check whether your workflow depends on any of them before committing.
What company size tells you
Fastly (501-1,000 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. AWS Amplify (100,000+ employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose AWS Amplify if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Choose Fastly if...
- You're ready to invest from $50/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Frequently asked questions
Is AWS Amplify or Fastly better?
Fastly scores 76/100 compared to AWS Amplify's 68/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — AWS Amplify excels at ease of use (6/10) while Fastly scores 6/10.
How much does AWS Amplify cost compared to Fastly?
AWS Amplify starts at free (free tier available). Fastly starts at $50/mo. AWS Amplify is the more affordable option.
Does AWS Amplify or Fastly have a free plan?
AWS Amplify offers a free tier. Fastly does not — its cheapest plan starts at $50/mo.
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