Cloudflare is great. It’s fast, it’s easy, and it handles a lot of stuff automatically. But sometimes, teams need more control. They want to see every knob and dial. They want to tweak every rule and monitor every bit of traffic. If that sounds like your team, you might be looking for alternatives to Cloudflare that offer more flexibility.

This article explores some popular options that give you more control over security, performance, and edge logic. We’ll also keep it light and fun, so don’t worry—you won’t need a computer science degree to follow along!

Why Look Beyond Cloudflare?

Cloudflare is awesome for many tasks. But it’s not for everyone. Here’s why some teams need something different:

• Granular control: Not just turning features on or off, but customizing how they work.
• Advanced routing: Sending traffic differently based on user type, country, or time of day.
• Custom WAF (Web Application Firewall): Creating your own rules, not just using presets.
• Full transparency: Wanting to see every request and response, not just logs filtered by a third party.

Alright, now that we know why you might want to explore other options, let’s talk about what’s out there!

1. AWS CloudFront + AWS WAF

Amazon’s CDN and security stack is a solid choice. If you’re already using AWS, this option is very convenient.

Pros:

• Full integration with AWS services
• Custom rules using AWS WAF
• Lambda@Edge for powerful edge logic
• Fine access control with IAM

Cons:

• More complex setup
• Pricing can add up
• The UI is not super friendly

If your team loves infrastructure as code and deep customization, AWS gives you everything you need—but it comes with a learning curve.

2. Fastly

Fastly is for developers who like to get into the weeds. It uses Varnish Configuration Language (VCL) to define how traffic flows and behaves.

Pros:

• Edge logic via custom VCL
• Instant cache purging
• Very low latency
• Rich API for automation

Cons:

• Learning VCL takes time
• Less beginner-friendly
• Limited visual dashboards

Fastly is fast. Fastly is powerful. But it’s not for those who want to “just click and deploy.” It’s better for tech-savvy teams that enjoy getting technical.

3. Akamai

Akamai is one of the oldest players in the CDN and security market. It powers a big chunk of the internet. It’s strong, reliable, and super customizable.

Pros:

• Enterprise-grade solutions
• Advanced performance tuning options
• Deep customization for WAF, DNS, and more

Cons:

• Not small-business friendly
• Can be expensive
• Onboarding is tough without help

If you have a big site with millions of visitors and you need full control, Akamai might be worth the investment.

4. Imperva

Imperva focuses more on security than performance. It’s a solid pick for teams that are more security-minded.

Pros:

• Strong Web Application Firewall
• Bot management
• DDoS mitigation with detailed controls
• Custom security rules

Cons:

• Not focused on speed or caching
• Less developer-friendly

Think of Imperva as your digital security guard. It’s less about getting your content out quickly and more about keeping the bad guys out.

5. NGINX with ModSecurity

If you want true DIY control, roll your own solution using NGINX. With ModSecurity added, you can build a powerful custom setup.

Pros:

• Complete control over routing, caching, and security
• Open-source and free (mostly)
• Great for custom logic and scripting

Cons:

• All maintenance is your responsibility
• No CDN capabilities unless you pair it with a service

This approach is perfect for small, agile teams with DevOps experience and time to spare. You can literally build anything you want—just be ready to manage it.

6. Bunny.net

Bunny.net is lightweight, fast, and user-friendly. But it also allows surprising depth of customization for dev teams who look for control.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly pricing
• Granular edge rules
• Nice UI with advanced options
• Edge storage and optimization tools

Cons:

• Not as mature as Cloudflare in terms of total features
• Limited security tools compared to bigger players

Bunny.net is kind of the underdog, but it’s gaining traction—especially with fast-moving teams who want control without blowing the budget.

7. StackPath

StackPath combines edge computing with security and CDN services. It’s a growing platform focused on developer agility.

Pros:

• Edge scripting with flexibility
• Real-time analytics
• Granular firewall settings

Cons:

• Still maturing as a platform
• Interface not as polished as others

Use StackPath if you’re experimenting with edge logic and want a service that lets you move fast and test ideas.

How to Choose the Right One?

Your choice depends on what you value most. Use this cheat sheet:

• Need deep AWS compatibility? Go with CloudFront.
• Wanna write edge logic like a pro? Try Fastly.
• Have an enterprise budget and team? Check out Akamai.
• Security is top priority? Imperva is your best friend.
• Love doing your own thing? Build with NGINX + ModSecurity.
• Need speed and simplicity? Bunny.net is calling.
• Startups or fast prototyping? StackPath is ready for you.

Conclusion

Cloudflare is cool, but it’s not the only game in town. Depending on your team’s skills, needs, and budget, there are plenty of powerful alternatives.

Whether you want more control, better performance, unique edge logic, or custom security—you’ve got options.

The key takeaway? Don’t just go with what’s popular. Go with what’s right for you.