Cloudflare

Overview

Cloudflare is a globally distributed edge network that boosts website speed and security by routing traffic through its data centers. It acts as a buffer between your site and the internet: caching content for faster delivery, blocking harmful traffic before it reaches your server, and handling SSL automatically. For most websites, Cloudflare delivers noticeable performance and protection improvements without changing the hosting environment.

Key Features

• Global CDN: Caches your website across hundreds of data centers, reducing load times and server strain.

• DDoS & Bot Protection: Shields your site from attacks, malicious bots, and abusive traffic patterns.

• Web Application Firewall (WAF): Filters threats like SQL injection, XSS, and CMS-specific exploits.

• DNS Management: Fast, reliable DNS with support for DNSSEC.

• Automatic SSL/HTTPS: Free SSL certificates and secure connection for any domain.

• Performance Optimization: Image compression, minification, Brotli, and smart routing options.

• Zero Trust Tools: Access control, secure tunnels, and authentication for private apps.

These features work without modifying your hosting setup — Cloudflare sits in front of your server.

Pricing

• Free Plan: CDN, DNS, basic DDoS protection, free SSL, simple performance tools.

• Pro Plan: Adds advanced security rules and extra performance features (suitable for small businesses).

• Business Plan: Priority support, enhanced WAF, custom rules, and improved SLAs (ideal for e-commerce).

• Enterprise: Custom performance/security packages and 24/7 support for large platforms.

Most small to medium sites operate comfortably on the Free or Pro plan.

Use Cases

• Blogs & Content Sites: Faster global load times and automated HTTPS without server complexity.

• E-commerce: Protection against DDoS, bots, and fraud-like traffic spikes.

• SaaS & Applications: Low latency, API protection, and Zero-Trust access controls.

• High-Traffic Websites: Offloads caching and request handling from your hosting server.

• International Audiences: Delivers content from the closest location worldwide for consistent speed.

Website: https://www.cloudflare.com/