C
CGlobal network for CDN, DDoS protection, Zero Trust and serverless compute
Free, from $5/mo
Akamai vs Palo Alto Networks
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
A
Choose Akamai if…
- you need an API to build on
- you're in its core audience: enterprises, media and streaming companies
P
Choose Palo Alto Networks if…
- you're in its core audience: cisos, network security engineers
Side by side
Feature Akamai Palo Alto Networks
Pricing modelPaidContact for pricing
Starting price——
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWeb, APIWeb
CategoryCDN & edgeFirewalls & network security
CompanyAkamai TechnologiesPalo Alto Networks
Full feature lists
A Akamai
- Adaptive Media Delivery for streaming and large files
- EdgeWorkers for serverless code at the edge
- Web application and API security
- Edge DNS
- Zero Trust Network Access
- Guardicore microsegmentation
- Akamai Cloud compute with Linode API and CLI
- Terraform and Postman support
P Palo Alto Networks
- Hardware and software next-generation firewalls
- Prisma SASE with SD-WAN, ZTNA and remote browser isolation
- Cortex XSIAM, XDR and XSOAR for SOC automation
- CNAPP and cloud detection and response via Cortex Cloud
- Privileged access management and secrets management
- Enterprise DLP, IoT and OT security
- Unit 42 incident response and managed detection
- Cortex XCOR AI-driven observability
What you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Akamai
Compute (1 GB VM, pay-as-you-go)$0.0075/hr
Managed Services (Infrastructure management)$100 per compute instance, per month
Palo Alto Networks
Contact for pricing. Plan details aren't published.
Strengths and limitations
Akamai
- Covers delivery, security and cloud compute on one platform
- Automation through APIs, CLI, Terraform and Postman
- Zero trust and segmentation products alongside the WAF
- The large product range is complex to configure for small projects
Palo Alto Networks
- Covers network, cloud, identity and SOC security in one portfolio
- Named a leader in many Gartner and Forrester reports
- 24/7/365 incident response through Unit 42
- 700+ partner integrations for security operations
- No public pricing; buying goes through sales
- Built for enterprises, so it is complex for small teams
More comparisons
Other options to consider
CC
Free, from $5/mo
C
Global network for CDN, DDoS protection, Zero Trust and serverless compute
DDoS protection & WAFFree plan
I
II
Contact
F
FF
Contact
F
Next-generation firewalls, SASE and security operations for enterprises
Firewalls & network security
N
NFirewall, router and VPN software and appliances for homes and businesses
From $10.75/mo
N
From $10.75/mo
N
Firewall, router and VPN software and appliances for homes and businesses
Firewalls & network securityAPI
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 10, 2026. Editorial policy