Fastly Named a Leader in Edge Development Platforms 2026 by Independent Research Firm

Key Terms

edge development platforms technical

Edge development platforms are software toolkits and services that let developers build, deploy and manage applications that run on local devices or nearby servers instead of centralized data centers. Like a toolkit that helps put computing power closer to where data is created—on factories, phones, or sensors—these platforms matter to investors because they can enable faster performance, lower costs, new revenue streams, and competitive advantage for companies adopting real‑time or bandwidth‑sensitive applications.

performance & latency optimization technical

Performance & latency optimization means improving how quickly and efficiently a digital system processes tasks and responds to users by reducing delays and resource waste. Think of it like tuning a car engine and clearing traffic so trips finish faster and use less fuel; for investors, these improvements can boost user satisfaction, increase transactions or revenue, lower operating costs, and reduce the risk of outages or lost business.

global edge cloud platforms technical

Global edge cloud platforms are networks of small data centers and computing hubs placed near users around the world that run cloud services closer to where data is created and consumed. Like placing pop-up shops next to neighborhoods rather than one distant warehouse, they cut delays, reduce bandwidth costs, and enable faster, more reliable apps; investors watch them because they can unlock new services, competitive advantages, and different cost and revenue profiles for technology companies.

wasm technical

Wasm is short for WebAssembly, a compact, fast format that lets software written in many programming languages run nearly as quickly as native programs inside web browsers and other environments. For investors, wasm matters because it can reduce development costs, improve application performance and security, and enable companies to deliver richer features across platforms more easily—potentially giving technology products a competitive edge and affecting revenue or margins.

ai‑assisted development technical

AI-assisted development is using artificial intelligence tools to help design, test or improve products, software, or research — acting like a smart co-pilot that automates repetitive work, highlights likely solutions, and speeds up problem-solving. Investors care because it can lower development costs, shorten time-to-market and raise the odds of success, while also shifting capital needs, competitive advantage and regulatory or quality risks in ways similar to moving from hand tools to power tools.

edge‑first event streaming technical

Edge-first event streaming is a data approach where messages from devices or sensors are collected, filtered and acted on at the nearest local device or server (the “edge”) before any central cloud processing. Think of it like sorting and responding to neighborhood mail at the local post office instead of sending every piece to a distant headquarters. Investors care because it reduces delays and cloud costs, improves reliability and privacy, and enables faster, real-time features that can boost product value, operational efficiency and competitive edge.

event‑driven technical

Event-driven describes an investment approach or market focus that targets price moves caused by specific, identifiable corporate or regulatory happenings—such as mergers, earnings announcements, restructurings, drug approvals, or spin-offs. Investors care because these events often create sudden gaps between a company’s stock price and its underlying value, offering opportunities for outsized gains or losses; think of it like placing a bet on the outcome of a scheduled game where the result can sharply shift odds.

Company Received Above-average Customer Feedback and Highest Possible Scores in Innovation, Developer Experience, and Performance & Latency Optimization Criteria

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fastly, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLY), a leader in global edge cloud platforms, today announced it has been named a Leader in “The Forrester Wave™: Edge Development Platforms, Q1 2026 report.” This report evaluates top platforms in the market that enable developers to build and deploy applications on distributed infrastructure closer to users and data sources.

Fastly believes its recognition as a Leader reinforces its strong position among the top edge development platforms. The company was also the only evaluated vendor to receive above-average customer feedback. According to the Forrester Wave™ report: “customers highlight Fastly’s strong performance, reliability, and developer experience,” and “praise the vendor’s highly engaged technical support and proactive partnership…”

The Forrester Wave™ notes: “Fastly’s strategy emphasizes a global compute fabric rooted in Wasm security, interoperability, and deterministic performance.” The evaluation further notes that, “Fastly aims to strengthen its already impressive innovative position in AI‑assisted development and edge‑first event streaming while expanding containers and components to increase workload flexibility.” Additionally, Forrester’s report states, “Fastly is a top choice for performance‑critical, event‑driven, security‑sensitive, and globally consistent edge workloads.”

“Organizations across all industries now differentiate in their markets by delivering resilient, highly performant, always-on software. Investing in edge platforms helps them achieve these ambitions at global scale,” said Kelly Shortridge, Chief Product Officer at Fastly. “To us, this recognition positions Fastly as the essential foundation for enterprises to translate software delivery investments into continuous competitive advantage. Our global compute fabric weaves the security, performance, and consistency enterprises need to expedite innovation and invent new app paradigms that transform their business.”

Fastly’s continued innovation in edge development reinforces its ability to help organizations build and deploy high-performance, Secure by Design applications closer to users and data. A complimentary copy of The Forrester Wave™: Edge Development Platforms, Q1 2026 report is available here. To learn more about Fastly’s edge development platform, visit www.fastly.com.

Forrester does not endorse any company, product, brand, or service included in its research publications and does not advise any person to select the products or services of any company or brand based on the ratings included in such publications. Information is based on the best available resources. Opinions reflect judgment at the time and are subject to change. For more information, read about Forrester’s objectivity here.

About Fastly, Inc.

Fastly’s powerful and programmable edge cloud platform helps the world’s top brands deliver online experiences that are fast, safe, and engaging through edge compute, delivery, security, and observability offerings that improve site performance, enhance security, and empower innovation at global scale. Compared to other providers, Fastly’s powerful, high-performance, and modern platform architecture empowers developers to deliver secure websites and apps with rapid time-to-market and demonstrated, industry-leading cost savings. Organizations around the world trust Fastly to help them upgrade the internet experience, including Reddit, Universal Music Group, and SeatGeek. Learn more about Fastly at https://www.fastly.com, and follow us @fastly.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on our beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our ability to: support performance-critical and globally distributed applications and help businesses expedite innovation and invent new app paradigms; and strengthen our position in AI‑assisted development and edge-first event streaming while expanding containers and components to increase workload flexibility. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially are detailed from time to time in the reports Fastly files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including without limitation Fastly’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

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Media Contact
Stacey Hurwitz
press@fastly.com

Investor Contact
Vernon Essi, Jr.
ir@fastly.com

Source: Fastly, Inc.