CDN vs Edge Computing: What’s the Difference

CDNs and edge computing both push things closer to users, but they serve different purposes, and conflating them leads to the wrong tool for the job. The distinction is worth getting straight.

A CDN caches static content near users to cut latency, while edge computing runs actual logic at those locations. One speeds delivery, the other moves compute.

• CDNs cache static assets like images and scripts
• Edge computing executes code at the network edge
• CDN latency benefits are largest for global audiences
• Edge is suited to personalization and real-time logic

Use a CDN for static content and reserve edge computing for logic that must run close to users.