Akamai Versus NetDNA/MaxCDN

[jarrod1937]

Here is some preliminary testing between MaxCDN and Akamai:

54 KB file, San Jose CA, IE8, 1.5 Megabit DSL

Akamai
Load Time: 0.516 seconds
First Byte: 0.180 seconds
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/111012_S0_1W1RF/

MaxCDN
Load Time: 0.498 seconds
First Byte: 0.186 seconds
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/111012_8B_1W1NW/


4 KB file, San Jose CA, IE8, 1.5 Megabit DSL

Akamai
Load Time: 0.214 seconds
First Byte: 0.176 seconds
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/111012_M6_1W1SF/

MaxCDN
Load Time: 0.232 seconds
First Byte: 0.188 seconds
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/111012_5M_1W1XW/


I've tested at different location and the results are pretty similar. The interesting thing is that Akamai seems to almost always do slightly worse than MaxCDN when it comes to total load time, despite Akamai having the better time to first byte. Though the 4KB file shows Akamai having a better load time.
I'll keep everyone updated, I have to add some more cnames and I'll be doing web page speed tests.