AWS CloudFront Functions vs AWS Lambda@Edge

Developers should use AWS CloudFront Functions when they need to perform lightweight, latency-sensitive transformations on HTTP traffic at the edge, such as A/B testing, request routing, or security validations, without provisioning servers meets developers should use aws lambda@edge when building applications that require low-latency processing, such as dynamic content personalization, a/b testing, security checks, or real-time image transformations, as it allows code execution near users globally. Here's our take.

AWS CloudFront Functions

Nice Pick

Developers should use AWS CloudFront Functions when they need to perform lightweight, latency-sensitive transformations on HTTP traffic at the edge, such as A/B testing, request routing, or security validations, without provisioning servers

Pros

• It's ideal for use cases like customizing cache keys, modifying headers for CORS, or implementing simple authentication checks, as it offers faster execution and lower cost compared to AWS Lambda@Edge for simple tasks
• Related to: aws-cloudfront, aws-lambda-edge

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

AWS Lambda@Edge

Developers should use AWS Lambda@Edge when building applications that require low-latency processing, such as dynamic content personalization, A/B testing, security checks, or real-time image transformations, as it allows code execution near users globally

Pros

• It is particularly useful for optimizing web performance, implementing custom caching logic, or handling authentication at the edge without managing servers, making it ideal for scalable, serverless architectures that need fast response times
• Related to: aws-lambda, amazon-cloudfront

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use AWS CloudFront Functions if: You want it's ideal for use cases like customizing cache keys, modifying headers for cors, or implementing simple authentication checks, as it offers faster execution and lower cost compared to aws lambda@edge for simple tasks and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use AWS Lambda@Edge if: You prioritize it is particularly useful for optimizing web performance, implementing custom caching logic, or handling authentication at the edge without managing servers, making it ideal for scalable, serverless architectures that need fast response times over what AWS CloudFront Functions offers.

The Bottom Line

AWS CloudFront Functions wins

Developers should use AWS CloudFront Functions when they need to perform lightweight, latency-sensitive transformations on HTTP traffic at the edge, such as A/B testing, request routing, or security validations, without provisioning servers