Fastly vs Knock: Full Comparison (2026)
Pricing, features, scores, and a clear verdict on which one is right for you.
The bottom line
Fastly positions itself as "real-time cdn and edge computing for high-performance apps" while Knock goes after "notification infrastructure for developers" — so the right pick depends on which problem you're actually solving. They take different commercial approaches — Fastly uses a usage-based-based model and Knock a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Knock 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 Knock (2021) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Fastly | Knock | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 76/100 | 84/100 |
| Starting price | $50/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Real-time CDN and edge computing for high-performance apps | Notification infrastructure for developers |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Fastly | Knock |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes | No |
| DDoS protection | Yes | No |
| Instant cache purge | Yes | No |
| WAF | Yes | No |
| Real-time analytics | Yes | No |
| Multi-channel notifications | No | Yes |
| Workflow builder | No | Yes |
| User preferences | No | Yes |
| In-app feed | No | Yes |
| Template management | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Fastly means going without Multi-channel notifications, Workflow builder, User preferences (which Knock offers). Choosing Knock means losing CDN, DDoS protection, Instant cache purge. 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. Knock (1-10 employees) typically ships faster on its core product but may lag on peripheral features. Consider which matters more for your roadmap.
Choose Fastly if...
- You're ready to invest from $50/mo
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Choose Knock if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Fastly or Knock better?
Knock scores 84/100 compared to Fastly's 76/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Fastly excels at ease of use (6/10) while Knock scores 9/10.
How much does Fastly cost compared to Knock?
Fastly starts at $50/mo. Knock starts at free (free tier available). Knock is the more affordable option.
Does Fastly or Knock have a free plan?
Knock offers a free tier. Fastly does not — its cheapest plan starts at $50/mo.
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