Reverse Proxy Server vs CDN

Developers should use reverse proxy servers when building scalable web applications, microservices architectures, or APIs that require high availability and security meets developers should use a cdn when building websites or applications that serve static or dynamic content to a global audience, as it significantly improves performance and user experience by reducing load times. Here's our take.

Reverse Proxy Server

Nice Pick

Developers should use reverse proxy servers when building scalable web applications, microservices architectures, or APIs that require high availability and security

Pros

• They are essential for load balancing across multiple servers, implementing SSL/TLS encryption centrally, caching static content to reduce server load, and protecting backend systems from direct exposure to the internet
• Related to: nginx, apache-http-server

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

CDN

Developers should use a CDN when building websites or applications that serve static or dynamic content to a global audience, as it significantly improves performance and user experience by reducing load times

Pros

• It's essential for high-traffic sites, e-commerce platforms, media streaming services, and applications requiring robust security and scalability, as it minimizes bandwidth costs and mitigates downtime risks
• Related to: web-performance, caching

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Reverse Proxy Server is a tool while CDN is a platform. We picked Reverse Proxy Server based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Reverse Proxy Server wins

Based on overall popularity. Reverse Proxy Server is more widely used, but CDN excels in its own space.