# Akamai API Security vs @fastify/rate-limit: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Akamai API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/akamai-api-security) is a commercial [API security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/api-security) solution by [Akamai](https://cybersectools.com/companies/akamai). [@fastify/rate-limit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastifyrate-limit) is a free [API security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/api-security) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Our take

What our shortlists say about the one we picked.

### [Akamai API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/akamai-api-security)

Best for: Teams needing a full API inventory with risk scores

It earns its place because it reaches the APIs you may not know you run, including the ones wired to AI services, and then hands blocks and fixes to your WAF, SIEM and ITSM. It fits best if your traffic already passes through Akamai's CDN, since it connects there natively. If you are not on Akamai, ask how it will see your traffic before you plan the rollout.

From [Best API Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-api-security-solutions), Fall 2026.

Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about).

Need the answer fast? [Best API Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-api-security-solutions) picks Akamai API Security, Salt Security Salt Collect, Cloudflare API Shield and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Akamai API Security | @fastify/rate-limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | API Security | API Security |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 588 |
| Last commit | – | Mar 2026 |
| Company | Akamai | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Akamai API Security | @fastify/rate-limit |
|---|---|---|
| OWASP | Yes | – |
| Web Security | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Akamai API Security**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**@fastify/rate-limit**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Akamai API Security**

5 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**@fastify/rate-limit**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Akamai API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/akamai-api-security) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [@fastify/rate-limit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastifyrate-limit) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Akamai API Security vs @fastify/rate-limit FAQ

Common questions when comparing Akamai API Security vs @fastify/rate-limit for API security.

### What is the difference between Akamai API Security and @fastify/rate-limit?

**Akamai API Security**: API security platform for discovery, testing, and protection of APIs, built by Akamai.

**@fastify/rate-limit**: A low overhead rate limiter for your routes.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Akamai API Security and @fastify/rate-limit?

**Akamai API Security** is made by Akamai. **@fastify/rate-limit** is open-source with 588 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Akamai API Security a good alternative to @fastify/rate-limit?

Often, yes. Akamai API Security and @fastify/rate-limit are both API Security products. Key differences: Akamai API Security is Commercial while @fastify/rate-limit is Free, @fastify/rate-limit is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Akamai API Security vs Traceable API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-api-security-vs-traceable-appsec)
- [Akamai API Security vs Imperva API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-api-security-vs-imperva-api-security)
- [Akamai API Security vs Operant AI API Threat Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-api-security-vs-operant-ai-api-threat-protection)
- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Traceable API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastifyrate-limit-vs-traceable-appsec)
- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Imperva API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastifyrate-limit-vs-imperva-api-security)
- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Operant AI API Threat Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastifyrate-limit-vs-operant-ai-api-threat-protection)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Akamai API Security alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/akamai-api-security)
- [See all @fastify/rate-limit alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fastifyrate-limit)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-api-security-vs-fastifyrate-limit

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/akamai-api-security.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Akamai API Security and @fastify/rate-limit: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md