What is Cloudflare?
Pros from reviewers
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Comprehensive security features: Cloudflare offers a wide range of security features, including CDN and DDOS protection, which function superbly. This allows companies to centralize their security needs
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Easy setup and integration: The process of setting up Cloudflare and adding a website is straightforward and intuitive. Cloudflare offers direct integrations with third-party providers like cPanel, making website addition as easy as a single click.
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Freemium model: Cloudflare offers a freemium model that allows users to distribute their services globally at a fraction of the cost. This model provides access to many features, from network and device security to WAFs, easy-to-use page rules, tunneling, and optimizations for delivery across the network
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User-friendly and customizable: Cloudflare is praised for its user-friendly interface and high customizability. It offers easy-to-use documentation and API, straightforward integration, and a strong user community. It also allows users to modify request and response headers
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Excellent free tier: Cloudflare's free tier is highly valued by users. It offers many advanced features even for free users, like DNSSEC in Cloudflare DNS, Cloudflare proxy, and 'I'm under attack' mode. Plus, Cloudflare optimizes the content of hosted websites by minifying codes, which makes websites much faster
Cons from reviewers
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Occasional false positives: The security features, while robust, can sometimes result in false positives, causing unnecessary alerts and potentially blocking legitimate traffic
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Limited SSL certificate options: The free and business plans do not allow users to bring their own SSL certificates, a basic and necessary feature for many businesses. To upload a custom SSL, users have to purchase an expensive enterprise plan
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Inconsistent support: While the support team is generally able to resolve issues, the response times can be slow and sometimes frustrating, especially when dealing with complex problems
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Unintuitive settings: Some settings are not in obvious locations, requiring users to conduct research and read documentation to locate them, which can be time-consuming
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Overly aggressive firewall: The firewall can sometimes be overly aggressive in filtering traffic, causing occasional user access issues. This can lead to a poor user experience and potential loss of traffic.
Main features
Starting Price
Free Plan
Choose a modern infrastructure
Secure your websites and applications
Give your developers a platform
Increase the performance of websites and applications
Get Zero Trust Services
Starting Price
N/A
Free Plan
No
Choose a modern infrastructure
Secure your websites and applications
Give your developers a platform
Increase the performance of websites and applications
Get Zero Trust Services
How Cloudflare compare to similar software?
Product
Price
N/A
Free plan
No
Main features
Pros
Cons
Alternatives
Deal
12 months free on Cloudflare
Save up to $14,000
While Google Cloud and Cloudflare are both leading cloud service providers, understanding their key differences is crucial for making an informed choice for your business. The primary distinction lies in their core focus and use cases.
Google Cloud is a comprehensive cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services, including virtual machines, container orchestration, data analytics, AI and machine learning tools, and a global network infrastructure. It is designed to support complex, scalable applications and is particularly well-suited for businesses that require high-performance computing, large-scale data management, and seamless integration with other Google services like Google Workspace and BigQuery. Google Cloud is ideal for enterprises that need a robust, versatile cloud solution capable of handling diverse workloads across various industries.
In contrast, Cloudflare specializes in web performance, security, and content delivery network (CDN) services. While it...
Cloudflare
CDN for professionals
12 months free on Cloudflare
Save up to $14,000
Google Cloud
Cloud services by Google
$2,000 in credits for 1 year for startups on Google Cloud
Save up to $2,000
Both AWS CloudFront and CloudFlare will speed up your site. They’re good CDNs, and you won’t regret either choice, especially if you go for the free plan. That being said, we generally recommend CloudFlare to new users.
That’s because CloudFlare is much easier to use. AWS is fine too, but it’s complex. You can tailor its caching behaviours to your site’s size and needs. You can modify access controls, and in general you’ll have to do some work to optimize AWS for your business.
CloudFlare is smoother to setup. For example, you can access all of its DNS options by default. If you picked AWS CloudFront instead, you’d need to integrate with Amazon Route 53 to get the same DNS settings.
It’s also harder to update old sites with CloudFront. HTTP/2 is a new protocol for communication over networks, and both tools have it enabled by default. But CloudFlare makes it much easier to enable it for older sites.
CloudFlare is slightly better for security, too. While AWS CloudFront is secure as well,...
Cloudflare
CDN for professionals
12 months free on Cloudflare
Save up to $14,000
AWS Activate
Amazon's cloud services platform
$5,000 in credits for 2 years on AWS Activate
Save up to $5,000
Who is Cloudflare best for according to our reviewers?
IT Teams: These users find Cloudflare's freemium model beneficial, allowing them to distribute services globally at a fraction of the cost. They appreciate the range of features available, from network and device security to WAFs, easy-to-use page rules, and optimizations for delivery across the network
Online Business Owners: These users find Cloudflare useful for storing additional data for their online businesses. They appreciate the support provided by the Cloudflare team in setting up the service, even if they find it initially confusing
Web Security Managers: Responsible for managing web resource security, these users appreciate Cloudflare for its continuous enhancements and introduction of new features, allowing them to centralize their security needs. They particularly value the CDN and DDOS protection
DNS Managers: These users use Cloudflare for DNS management, WAF, and caching. They find it user-friendly and highly customizable, with easy-to-use documentation and API, and straightforward integration. They value its functionality, performance, and strong services expertise
Website Owners: These users appreciate Cloudflare for its freemium plan and the value it offers. They find the process of setting up the CDN straightforward and the onboarding process and website addition simple and intuitive. They also appreciate the direct integrations with third-party providers like cPanel.
Cloudflare Reviews
4.4
Cloudflare rating
0.0
Ease of use
0.0
Customer service
0.0
Value for money
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Features
24 Cloudflare Reviews
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Deborah E
Great for Businesses of All Sizes!
I think Cloudflare is excellent! Their free tier is incredibly good. I didn't have to pay for anything for nearly 2 years and only paid for some additional features, but all the essentials are free. However, nameservers need to be transferred to Cloudflare. I switched to Cloudflare because it has a really good free tier and I've heard many positive things about it.
September 15, 2024
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Janet Davis
Extremely Pleased with Cloudflare's Performance
I urgently implore your company to comply with U.S. federal law, as I have discovered that you are hosting a Chinese website containing over 1 cat abuse videos. Despite my previous reports and Cloudflare's refusal to take responsibility, it's vital to recognize that your ongoing service to this site aids a criminal organization involved in animal cruelty, minor abuse, fraud, and other crimes. Failure to remove these contents and report to U.S. authorities could lead to legal and criminal repercussions. The hosting of such content breaches the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act and the PACT Act. Immediate action is needed to suspend these services and prevent further abuse.
September 9, 2024
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Mirabel G
Optimize Your Website's Security and Speed with Cloudflare
With the increasing threat of hacking and phishing scams, I discovered that I could secure my website with minimal effort and cost using Cloudflare. If your webhost lacks security, it's a no-brainer to sign up with Cloudflare for free. Setting up a website with Cloudflare is as simple as changing your website's nameservers and choosing your preferred level of security. The whole site transition can be done in less than an hour. The free plan is genuinely 100% free with no expiration. However, sometimes the firewall can be overly aggressive in filtering traffic, causing occasional user access issues. Another minor drawback is that while you can transfer your domain names to Cloudflare at a near-wholesale cost, you can't register new domains directly. I chose Cloudflare over Fastly because it provided everything I needed at no cost.
September 3, 2024
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Nicole Miller
Superb CDN Provider Offering a Generous Freemium Plan
Overall, my experience with Cloudflare has been extremely positive. I've been using it for so long that I haven't even considered looking for an alternative. I appreciate Cloudflare for several reasons, particularly their freemium plan which offers so much value that it almost seems too good to be true. I'm impressed with their service and network. The process of setting up the CDN is straightforward, and the onboarding process and website addition are simple and intuitive. Over the years, they've only improved their service. They offer direct integrations with third-party providers like cPanel, making website addition as easy as a single click. While their support response times haven't been the fastest, I'm willing to give them some leeway considering the COVID situation. The main reasons I switched to Cloudflare were the pricing and the existing third-party integrations.
August 27, 2024
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Isabella M
Responsive and Helpful: A Review of Cloudflare's Customer Support
I have found Cloudflare's customer support to be very responsive and helpful. They have always provided me with prompt solutions to my queries
August 18, 2024
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Carolyn D
Excellent CDN and Affordable Domain Registrar.
I am upset that Cloudflare continues to host Chinese websites featuring disturbing cat abuse videos, falsely labeled as loving cats. Cloudflare has made no effort to remove these sites, which is a violation of the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act and the PACT Act in the US. I demand immediate action to suspend these services and prevent further abuse. I will revise my review once Cloudflare addresses this issue.
August 13, 2024
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David Brown
Insightful Analytics with Cloudflare
The analytics provided by Cloudflare are detailed and insightful. They have helped me understand my website's traffic better and make informed decisions
August 4, 2024
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Amber F
Experiencing Cloudflare's Web Security Services: A User's Perspective
I am absolutely thrilled to be using Cloudflare's services! Their commitment to providing top-notch web security is truly commendable. I've noticed that they host a wide range of websites, including some from China, which is a testament to their global reach. However, I did come across a site that seemed to contain inappropriate content. I'm confident that Cloudflare, with its strong ethical stance, would never knowingly support such content. I've reported this to them and I'm eagerly awaiting their response. I'm sure they'll take the necessary steps to address this issue, in compliance with US federal laws such as the Animal Crush Video Ban Act and the PACT Act. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Cloudflare handles this situation. Their swift action will not only uphold their reputation but also prevent any potential misuse of their services. I'm positive that they'll continue to provide us with the secure and responsible service we've come to expect from them.
July 28, 2024
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Walter Smith
Cloudflare: Excessively Assertive
In my opinion, Cloudflare is an excessively aggressive hosting platform that often blocks content without justification. As an ISP employee, I frequently receive complaints from customers unable to access certain sites hosted on Cloudflare. I'm sure there are some benefits to using it, but I haven't personally experienced them.
July 22, 2024
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Zinnia S
Top-Notch Web Application and Cloud Security with Cloudflare
I appreciate the numerous security features Cloudflare provides for my application. Currently, there's nothing I dislike about it.
July 16, 2024
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Jose Martinez
Exceptional CDN Service Enhances Website Speed and User Experience
Cloudflare's CDN service is exceptional. It has drastically improved the loading speed of my website, enhancing user experience
July 6, 2024
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Fletcher M
Effortless Setup and Usage: Cloudflare's User-Friendly Experience
The ease of setup and use of Cloudflare is commendable. Even with minimal technical knowledge, I was able to get it up and running in no time
June 29, 2024
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Persephone M
Cloudflare's Exceptional Caching Options: Boosting Website Performance and Reducing Server Load
The caching options provided by Cloudflare are excellent. They have significantly reduced the server load and improved the overall performance of my website
June 24, 2024
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William
Enhanced Security and SEO Boost: Cloudflare's SSL Encryption Review
The SSL encryption that comes with Cloudflare is a great feature. It has not only secured my website but also improved its ranking on search engines
June 17, 2024
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Madison
Top-tier CDN and Security Solution with Cloudflare
I'm using Cloudflare for DNS management, WAF, and caching. I find it user-friendly and highly customizable. The documentation and API are easy to use, and integration is straightforward. It offers workers and has a strong user community. I value its functionality, performance, and strong services expertise. It lets me modify request and response headers. However, there are occasional false positives and using the workers requires knowledge of JavaScript.
June 10, 2024
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Zachary D
Challenging to Grasp and Master
I found Cloudflare beneficial for storing additional data for my online business, but it was confusing and I didn't understand how to use it. Luckily, the team that set it up for me handled it, so I didn't have to learn.
June 3, 2024
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Marilyn Williams
Cloudflare's DDoS Protection: Impressive Safeguard for Websites
I am particularly impressed with Cloudflare's DDoS protection feature. It has effectively safeguarded my website from numerous potential threats
May 25, 2024
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Jeremy Garcia
Terrible Cloudflare Service
The service from Cloudflare is terrible. I don't understand the purpose of this company or why I'm paying my hosting company. I've experienced constant issues with them and I strongly dislike them. They are one of the worst companies I've ever dealt with. My emails are constantly marked as spam and it appears that no one can resolve this issue. I'm planning to leave Cloudflare and will never use their services again.
May 18, 2024
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Kelly Jones
CDN, Internal Network Security, WAF - Cloudflare Delivers it All
My overall experience with Cloudflare has been excellent. While their support can sometimes be frustrating, they always manage to resolve issues, often escalating them to their Tier 2 support for a more personal touch. When I first used Cloudflare as my CDN, I found it to be outstanding. It's a CDN for everyone, with a freemium model that allows you to distribute your services globally at a fraction of the cost. However, once you start using this freemium model, you quickly become immersed in all their features and are more than willing to pay for them. From network and device security to WAFs, easy-to-use page rules, tunneling, and optimizations for delivery across the network, you soon find yourself using all of it without the need for large IT teams. A few downsides are that sometimes things don't work as expected and it's unclear why. It seems the system's features grew faster than anticipated and their UI and UX couldn't keep up.
May 11, 2024
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Logan W
Efficient DNS Management with Cloudflare
As a web developer, I find Cloudflare's DNS management tools to be incredibly user-friendly and efficient. It has significantly reduced the time I spend on managing DNS records
May 5, 2024
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Ryan M
Genuinely Outstanding Service
Cloudflare provided me with truly excellent service, going the extra mile. A CSR even managed to get them to make an exception to one of their rules due to my health condition.
April 27, 2024
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Alice Davis
Cloudflare: An Excellent All-In-One Tool for Web Resource Security
When I joined my company, there was no one managing web resource security. I quickly selected Cloudflare, set it up, and have been overseeing analytics and activating new features ever since. We are satisfied with everything and intend to keep using Cloudflare. I value the fact that the service is continuously enhancing and introducing new features, enabling us to centralize our security needs. The two features I appreciate the most are the CDN and DDOS protection, which function superbly. Some settings are not in obvious locations, so I've had to conduct some research and read the documentation to locate them. I opted for Cloudflare because it's an all-in-one solution for comprehensive company security.
April 22, 2024
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Jordan Garcia
Cloudflare: Unparalleled Speed and Security
I have been using Cloudflare for several months now and I am extremely satisfied with its performance. The speed and security it provides for my website are unparalleled
April 15, 2024
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Arthur B
My SOP Segment 2 Review on Cloudflare
My second step in my Standard Operating Procedure is setting up Cloudflare. If it's a .com, it usually ranks first in the website creation process. I've managed to achieve a ~98% cache ratio every month with the Pro version, which is impressive. For those complaining about Cloudflare being a hosting company, it's not. If your site stopped working after moving to Cloudflare, it's likely due to propagation or a lack of professional setup. I don't agree with cat abuse, but if they were to take a stance on every issue, they'd quickly become overwhelmed. In summary, Cloudflare provides better security if you know what you're doing. The cost for the Pro version is reasonable compared to competitors, with only BunnyCDN offering better prices. However, I'd choose Cloudflare any day. You can cache your entire site on their servers. If you're unsure how to properly set it up, hire a professional. It takes less than an hour to configure.
April 15, 2024