CDN vs Caching: The Differences Explained (2024 Guide)
If you are looking for the best options for optimizing the performance of your websites, proper caching is quite essential. There are two specific methods used for optimizing your cache efforts - CDN and Caching. Are you looking to find the difference between CDN and caching? Let us shed some light on the differences between the two of them.
Among the two different and capable options used for improving the website performance, CDN and Caching are the most popular choices. They are designed for different purposes but do provide the best website optimization when used in combination. 
They can go a long way in improving the speed and response time of your website when used appropriately. But, most of us tend to get confused about the difference and functionality of CDN and caching. In this post, we will attempt to understand the differences between the two. What is CDN?
CDN stands for Content Delivery Network. It involves the use of several servers deployed in different locations. The content is served to the user from the server nearest to them. In addition to improving the speed of the website, CDNs also help in caching the content and delivering a faster performance.
CDN can cache static content such as images, videos, CSS files, and JavaScript files quite effectively. In fact, CDN is a method used for caching. In other words, a CDN helps in caching, but all tools that cache are not CDN. What is Caching?
Caching involves storing the information on a website so that you do not need to serve the subsequent requests. It simply reduces the number of requests to the origin server. Thus, you will witness an increase in the website speed, and load times will be reduced considerably.
Website caching involves storing frequently used data (such as images, videos, HTML pages, and other resources) on the local server or even on the client-side device. It will help eliminate the need to retrieve or request for the same data frequently or repeatedly from the original server.Types of CDN and Caching
Both CDN and Caching come with different types and methods. Understanding these variations can help in understanding the two ways of improving website performance in a better way. Types of CDN
We typically use two types of CDN - Pull CDN and Push CDN.
Pull CDN
Also referred to as Pull-based CDN, it retrieves the data from the original server when someone requests for it and then stores it on its server. Next time someone requests the same information, it fetches the content quickly from its server and delivers it. This method is a good option for websites that update the content regularly. A good example here is the news sites.
Push CDN
Push-based CDN involves uploading the content directly to the CDN. It can be in the form of big files and videos that you can upload to the CDN. This type is useful in the case of large files that need to be sent out quickly. Different types of caching
Just like CDN, there are different caching methods used. These are called caching strategies.
Browser caching
Browser caching involves storing the elements of a website on your computer. It stores the information such as pages, images, and styles. This will ensure that your webpage loads faster the next time you launch it.
Page caching (or site caching)
This will temporarily involve temporarily storing the content, such as data like images, web pages, and other content when it is loaded for the first time. This data is stored in the unused RAM and thus does not affect your memory much. You will witness specifically with sites delivered through WordPress.The differences between CDN and Caching
This post is about the differences between CDN and caching, but we covered the info above to help you understand the basic features of CDN and cache. We will now analyze the differences based on the individual features. Website performance
CDN saves the data on multiple servers and delivers the content from the nearest servers. This will help you in reducing the latency. This will further help in faster loading times. CDNs will handle the traffic high volumes of high traffic. CDNs will be the best choice for websites having increased traffic and a global audience.
Caching, on the other hand, involves saving a few sections of your page on the local server or your browser itself. Caching can be quite effective for returning visitors to your site. These users will have faster load times due to the effective caching. If your site has moderate traffic, caching can be a good option. It can also be a good option for text-based content, images, and other static elements. Content
Which content can suit CDN or caching? Well, CDN is best suited for practically every type of content. It can even work with larger content such as big files or longer videos. Since CDN has servers all across the globe, sending larger files will be quite more straightforward.
Caching, on the other hand, is a good option for smaller content delivery, such as images or web pages. These small files are saved on the local server or on your browser itself. You will not ideally need a more extensive network like CDN for the purpose. Handling and management
Setting up and implementing a CDN can be a little complicated. This may need careful planning and continuous management. You may need to work with a team of experts to efficiently deliver the content across servers and users.
Caching can be implemented easily. Small websites will find it very easy to manage and handle the caching with not much hassles. Caching would be a very straightforward option. SEO benefits
When we look at the SEO advantages and website performance, both CDN and caching work towards speeding up your website. Search Engine Optimisation is to ensure that your site is visible to the search engines and speed is one such means to make it possible.
Having said that, CDNs do have an advantage over caching in this context. If you have a site with global traffic, it is better to go with the CDN than caching. A caching process may not have the same impact as the CDNs have on the worldwide audience. With a vast number of servers from across the world, a CDN service can offer a better reach for your website. Handling the resources
CDN comes with an excellent set of additional features. It can optimize image delivery and improve security for your website. Your images will load faster, thereby increasing the speed of your website. The additional security features will ensure that your site stays free from cyber attacks.
Caching, on the other hand, is simply focused on storing some of the elements of your website for the visitors who come back to your site. It does not come with additional features such as image optimization or security enhancement. The Benefits of Caching and CDN
Before we conclude, we will check out the benefits offered by CDN and caching.
Benefits of CDN
Benefits of CachingIn Conclusion
Well, that was all about CDN and caching. They are both excellent options for improving the performance of your website. We recommend using a good combination of CDN and caching to ensure an enhanced experience.
