Fastly vs Stytch: 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 Stytch goes after "authentication infrastructure for modern apps" — 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 Stytch a freemium approach, which affects how costs scale as your team grows. Stytch 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 Stytch (2020) tends to move faster on modern UX and newer workflows.
At a glance
| Fastly | Stytch | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 76/100 | 82/100 |
| Starting price | $50/mo | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Best for | Real-time CDN and edge computing for high-performance apps | Authentication infrastructure for modern apps |
Pricing comparison
Calculate your cost
Feature comparison
core
| Feature | Fastly | Stytch |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Yes | No |
| DDoS protection | Yes | No |
| Instant cache purge | Yes | No |
| WAF | Yes | No |
| Real-time analytics | Yes | No |
| Magic links | No | Yes |
| Passkeys | No | Yes |
| OAuth | No | Yes |
| SMS/TOTP MFA | No | Yes |
| Session management | No | Yes |
Ratings breakdown
What the data tells us
Key capabilities you'd miss
Choosing Fastly means going without Magic links, Passkeys, OAuth (which Stytch offers). Choosing Stytch 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
Stytch (51-200 employees) has the engineering bench to ship features across many fronts but may iterate slower on individual requests. Fastly (501-1,000 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 Stytch 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 Stytch better?
Stytch scores 82/100 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 Stytch scores 9/10.
How much does Fastly cost compared to Stytch?
Fastly starts at $50/mo. Stytch starts at free (free tier available). Stytch is the more affordable option.
Does Fastly or Stytch have a free plan?
Stytch offers a free tier. Fastly does not — its cheapest plan starts at $50/mo.
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