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Amazon CloudFront
What it is
Amazon CloudFront is a content delivery network for serving data, video, applications, and APIs around the world. It uses more than 750 Points of Presence, with automated network mapping and intelligent routing. CloudFront works with Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, Elastic Load Balancing, and custom HTTP origins. Developers can adapt edge behavior using CloudFront Functions or AWS Lambda@Edge, and configure distributions through its API, AWS CloudFormation, CodeDeploy, CodeCommit, or AWS SDKs. Listed uses include websites, dynamic content and APIs, 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 protection against network and application attacks, including DDoS. Monitoring includes CloudWatch metrics and logs delivered to S3 or Kinesis Data Streams. The free plan is free and includes one million requests and 100GB of data transfer, with no overage charges. Paid plans start at $15 a month per distribution.
For and against
For
- 750+ globally distributed Points of Presence
- Supports video, APIs, and software delivery
- Edge customization with Functions and Lambda@Edge
- Free plan includes 1M requests and 100GB transfer
Against
- Paid plans start at $15 a month per distribution
- Flat-rate plans cannot combine with other offers or discounts
The verdict
CloudFront combines global delivery with edge customization, security controls, and AWS monitoring options. Review the per-distribution plan allowances and offer restrictions before choosing a plan.
Who it suits
CloudFront may suit teams delivering websites, APIs, video, or software downloads through a global content network. It also offers edge customization and integration with AWS monitoring and security services.
Plans and prices
Free
1M requests · 100GB data transfer · 5 WAF rules · 5GB included S3 storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Pro
10M requests · 50TB data transfer · 25 WAF rules · 50GB included S3 storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Business
125M requests · 50TB data transfer · 50 WAF rules · 1TB included S3 storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Premium
500M requests · 50TB data transfer · 75 WAF rules · 5TB included S3 storage
Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
Custom pricing
No limit on requests · No limit on data transfer · No limit on WAF rules
Read 30 Sep 2026 · aws.amazon.com
On the record
- 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.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Content and origins
- CloudFront works with Amazon S3, Amazon EC2, Elastic Load Balancing, and custom HTTP origins.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Edge compute
- CloudFront supports edge customization through CloudFront Functions and AWS Lambda@Edge.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Encryption and access
- CloudFront supports HTTPS/TLS, signed URLs and cookies, token authentication, geographic restrictions, and restricting S3 origin access to CloudFront.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Global delivery
- CloudFront delivers content through a network of 750+ globally dispersed Points of Presence with automated network mapping and intelligent routing.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Infrastructure as code
- CloudFront distributions can be configured and deployed with its API, AWS CloudFormation, CodeDeploy, CodeCommit, and AWS SDKs.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- 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.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Origin shield
- Yesaws.amazon.com · read 24 Sep 2026
- 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.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Plan restriction
- AWS says CloudFront flat-rate plans may not be combined with other offers, promotions, or discounts.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- CloudFront integrates with AWS Shield, AWS WAF, and Amazon Route 53 for layered protection against network and application layer attacks, including DDoS.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- 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.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- 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.aws.amazon.com · read 30 Sep 2026
