What Cloudflare does
Cloudflare operates a large, distributed network that provides content delivery and security solutions for websites and internet applications. Organisations use Cloudflare to accelerate the delivery of web content to users worldwide while also protecting their sites from threats such as DDoS attacks and malicious traffic. The platform sits between a business’s web infrastructure and its visitors, helping to optimise performance, increase reliability and enhance security.
Cloudflare is widely deployed across industries as an intermediary layer for website hosting, especially for businesses looking to reduce latency, improve site availability, and guard against common web vulnerabilities. Its broad network presence contributes to faster load times and higher uptime for end users.
What sets it apart
Its global presence enables rapid content delivery and widespread mitigation of security threats.
Key features
- ◆Global content delivery network
- ◆DDoS protection
- ◆Web application firewall
- ◆DNS management
- ◆SSL/TLS encryption
- ◆Bot mitigation
- ◆Performance optimisation
What teams use it for
- Accelerate website load times globally
- Protect sites from DDoS attacks
- Secure applications from common threats
- Manage DNS centrally
- Optimise resource delivery for end users
Pros
- +Global network coverage
- +Integrated web security tools
- +Frequent service reliability improvements
- +Easy DNS configuration
Cons
- −Advanced features can require technical expertise
- −Edge computing options less granular than some rivals
- −Occasional false positives in web security filters
Integrates with
Our verdict
Cloudflare is well suited for businesses that prioritise both web performance and protection from internet-based threats. Teams seeking advanced customisation or edge compute features should compare specific capabilities to competitors.
Frequently asked questions
How does Cloudflare improve website speed?+
It caches website content on data centres around the world, serving visitors from nearby locations to reduce latency.
Does Cloudflare replace my web hosting provider?+
No, it acts as a layer between your hosting infrastructure and your users, improving performance and security.
How does Cloudflare handle DDoS attacks?+
Its distributed network absorbs and mitigates attack traffic before it reaches your site.
Where can I find Cloudflare's pricing details?+
Current pricing and plan information is available on the official Cloudflare website.
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