Fastly vs Split.io: 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 Split.io goes after "feature flags plus experimentation" — 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 Split.io a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Split.io 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.
At a glance
| Fastly | Split.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 76/100 | 81/100 |
| Starting price | $50/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Real-time CDN and edge computing for high-performance apps | Feature flags plus experimentation |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Fastly | Split.io |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes | No |
| DDoS protection | Yes | No |
| Instant cache purge | Yes | No |
| WAF | Yes | No |
| Real-time analytics | Yes | No |
| Feature flags | No | Yes |
| Targeting rules | No | Yes |
| Percentage rollouts | No | Yes |
| Kill switches | No | Yes |
| Multi-environment | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Fastly means going without Feature flags, Targeting rules, Percentage rollouts (which Split.io offers). Choosing Split.io 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. Split.io (201-500 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 Split.io if...
- You want a free tier to get started
- You value powerful features over simplicity
- Getting strong value for money is a priority
Frequently asked questions
Is Fastly or Split.io better?
Split.io scores 81/100 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 Split.io scores 7/10.
How much does Fastly cost compared to Split.io?
Fastly starts at $50/mo. Split.io starts at free (free tier available). Split.io is the more affordable option.
Does Fastly or Split.io have a free plan?
Split.io offers a free tier. Fastly does not — its cheapest plan starts at $50/mo.
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