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SPECIFICTION
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Amazon CloudFront

aws.amazon.com

From $15/mo Free plan WebAPI
Visit aws.amazon.com
Spec score 8.5 #2 of 14 in Web Accelerator Software

What it is

Amazon CloudFront is a content delivery network for delivering data, videos, applications, and APIs around the world. It uses more than 750 globally dispersed Points of Presence, with automated network mapping and intelligent routing. CloudFront works with Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, Elastic Load Balancing, and custom HTTP origins; edge behavior can be customized with CloudFront Functions and AWS Lambda@Edge. Listed uses range from websites and dynamic APIs to live and on-demand video, software distribution, game patches, and IoT updates. Security options include HTTPS/TLS, signed URLs and cookies, token authentication, geographic restrictions, and limiting S3 origin access to CloudFront. It integrates with AWS Shield, AWS WAF, and Amazon Route 53 for layered protection, including against DDoS attacks. CloudWatch metrics and logs to S3 or Kinesis Data Streams provide monitoring options. CloudFront has a free plan at free, with 1 million requests and 100GB data transfer. Paid plans start at $15 a month per distribution; Pro, Business, and Premium each list 50TB of transfer.

Spec sheet

What it does
Amazon CloudFront is a content delivery network that securely delivers data, videos, applications, and APIs globally with low latency and high transfer speeds.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Free plan
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Security
CloudFront integrates with AWS Shield, AWS WAF, and Amazon Route 53 for layered protection against network and application layer attacks, including DDoS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Compliance
AWS states that CloudFront infrastructure and processes are designed to comply with PCI-DSS Level 1, HIPAA, ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 27001, 27017, and 27018, SOC 1, 2, and 3, and FedRAMP Moderate.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Content and origins
CloudFront works with Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, Elastic Load Balancing, and custom HTTP origins.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Edge compute
CloudFront supports edge customization through CloudFront Functions and AWS Lambda@Edge.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Encryption and access
CloudFront supports HTTPS/TLS, signed URLs and cookies, token authentication, geographic restrictions, and restricting S3 origin access to CloudFront.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Global delivery
CloudFront delivers content through a network of 750+ globally dispersed Points of Presence with automated network mapping and intelligent routing.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Infrastructure as code
CloudFront distributions can be configured and deployed with its API, AWS CloudFormation, CodeDeploy, CodeCommit, and AWS SDKs.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Monitoring
CloudFront publishes operational metrics to Amazon CloudWatch and can deliver standard logs to Amazon S3 and real-time logs to Amazon Kinesis Data Streams.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Origin shield
YesRead 24 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Plan limits
The pricing page lists a 50TB data-transfer allowance for the Pro, Business, and Premium plans, and says Premium can be configured up to 600TB for a new flat-rate price.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Plan restriction
AWS says CloudFront flat-rate plans may not be combined with other offers, promotions, or discounts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Use cases
AWS describes CloudFront use cases including websites, dynamic content and APIs, live and on-demand video, and distributing software, game patches, and IoT updates.Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com

Plans and prices

Free Free $0/month per distribution 1M requests · 100GB data transfer · 5 WAF rules · 5GB included S3 storage · no overage charges Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Pro $15 a month $15/month per distribution 10M requests · 50TB data transfer · 25 WAF rules · 50GB included S3 storage · no overage charges Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Business $200 a month $200/month per distribution 125M requests · 50TB data transfer · 50 WAF rules · 1TB included S3 storage · no overage charges Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Premium $1,000 a month $1,000/month per distribution 500M requests · 50TB data transfer · 75 WAF rules · 5TB included S3 storage · no overage charges Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Custom pricing Priced on request Custom No limit on requests · No limit on data transfer · No limit on WAF rules Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com

Every Amazon CloudFront plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • More than 750 globally dispersed Points of Presence
  • Supports video, APIs, applications, and data
  • Free plan includes 1 million requests
  • CloudWatch metrics and S3 or Kinesis logs

Limits

  • Paid plans start at $15 a month per distribution
  • Flat-rate plans cannot be combined with other offers

Who it suits

CloudFront suits teams delivering websites, APIs, applications, or media through AWS infrastructure. Its edge customization, access controls, logging, and deployment options may fit teams that need to configure and monitor distributions.

Verdict

CloudFront covers global delivery across several content types and includes edge customization, security, and monitoring options. Compare the per-distribution plan allowances with your expected request and transfer needs.

Where Specifiction places it

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