Connectivity, security, performance, and developers

Cloudflare helps connect, protect, and build on the modern Internet.

Cloudflare is a global connectivity cloud that sits between users, applications, networks, and the Internet. It is used to improve website speed, defend against attacks, secure access to apps and networks, and run modern applications on a developer platform.

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60+
Cloudflare presents its platform as a connectivity cloud with more than 60 services on a unified global network.
330+
Its application services are delivered across more than 330 cities to improve reach, resilience, and response time.
One platform
The same network supports CDN, DNS, DDoS protection, WAF, Zero Trust, smart routing, developer tools, storage, databases, media, and AI services.

What exactly is Cloudflare?

In simple terms, Cloudflare is an Internet platform that stands in front of websites, APIs, applications, users, and private networks. It can cache content, answer DNS queries, block malicious traffic, route requests more efficiently, secure access to internal tools, and provide a runtime for building new applications.

Performance

Cloudflare accelerates websites and applications with services such as CDN delivery, DNS, smart routing, and load balancing so users can receive content from locations closer to them.

Security

It protects properties with DDoS mitigation, web application firewall controls, bot management, API protection, Zero Trust access, secure web gateway functions, browser isolation, and email security.

Development

Cloudflare also offers a developer platform for full-stack and AI apps with compute, storage, databases, queues, media tools, and other building blocks that run on its global network.

Core Cloudflare functions

Cloudflare is not just one tool. It is a collection of integrated services that solve different Internet problems on one network.

Website and API protection

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DDoS protection to absorb and filter attacks aimed at overwhelming websites or APIs.
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Web Application Firewall rules to inspect and block malicious HTTP traffic.
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Bot management and abuse controls to detect automation, scraping, and credential attacks.
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API security capabilities for protecting modern application interfaces.

Speed and availability

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CDN caching to serve static assets quickly from nearby locations.
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Authoritative DNS and performance-oriented DNS services for fast name resolution.
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Smart routing features to avoid congestion and improve request paths.
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Load balancing and traffic steering to improve uptime and resilience.

Zero Trust and networking

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Zero Trust Network Access to replace broad VPN-style access with identity-aware controls.
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Secure Web Gateway policies for filtering DNS, network, HTTP, and egress traffic.
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Remote Browser Isolation to run risky browsing sessions away from the endpoint.
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SASE-style networking and security for users, branches, applications, and private networks.

Developer platform

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Workers for serverless compute close to users.
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KV, D1, R2, Queues, and Durable Objects for data, storage, messaging, and coordination.
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Media and AI building blocks for image, video, and AI-powered applications.
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A single global platform for simple static sites, APIs, full-stack apps, and modern edge workloads.

How Cloudflare works

A common setup places Cloudflare between a visitor and the origin server. Requests pass through Cloudflare’s network first, which allows the platform to inspect, accelerate, cache, route, and secure traffic before it reaches the application.

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DNS points traffic to Cloudflare

A domain can use Cloudflare DNS and proxy services so user requests are sent to Cloudflare’s edge first instead of directly exposing the origin server.

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Traffic is inspected and filtered

Cloudflare can apply security logic such as DDoS mitigation, WAF rules, bot detection, API protection, and access policies before traffic is allowed through.

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Content is accelerated

Static assets may be cached, DNS lookups can be answered quickly, and routing decisions can reduce latency and improve availability for end users.

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Applications can run on the same network

Instead of only passing traffic to a traditional origin, developers can also run logic directly on Cloudflare through Workers and connect it to storage, databases, queues, and AI services.

Cloudflare for developers

Cloudflare is widely known for CDN and protection, but its platform also functions as a place to build modern applications.

Application building blocks

Workers Run JavaScript, TypeScript, and related workloads on a distributed runtime close to users.
R2 Object Storage Store files and objects for websites, apps, assets, media, and data pipelines.
D1 and KV Use SQL-style storage and key-value storage for app state, metadata, sessions, and fast lookups.
Queues and Durable Objects Support asynchronous workflows, coordination, and stateful application patterns.

Why teams use it

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It combines infrastructure, security, and application delivery on one network.
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It can reduce the need to manage separate CDN, security, and edge-compute vendors.
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It supports both simple static sites and more advanced full-stack or AI-powered applications.
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It keeps application code and traffic controls close together, which simplifies deployment and policy management.

Typical use cases

Cloudflare can be used by personal websites, startups, online stores, SaaS platforms, enterprises, and developers building Internet-native products.

Personal and small business sites

Improve baseline speed, add DNS, enable CDN caching, and get foundational security without building a complex infrastructure stack.

APIs and SaaS products

Protect login flows, APIs, dashboards, and public endpoints against abuse, bots, attacks, and performance bottlenecks.

Internal applications and remote access

Use Zero Trust controls to publish private applications securely without relying on a traditional all-access VPN model.

Global content delivery

Distribute assets, websites, and application responses more efficiently across regions and large geographic distances.

Modern application development

Build websites, APIs, media workflows, event-driven systems, and AI experiences on a distributed platform.

Unified security and networking

Bring web security, Zero Trust, traffic filtering, and networking controls together under one operational model.

FAQ

Quick answers to the questions people often ask when they first hear about Cloudflare.

Is Cloudflare only a CDN?

No. CDN delivery is one important function, but Cloudflare also includes DNS, DDoS protection, WAF, bot mitigation, API security, Zero Trust services, networking products, and a full developer platform.

Does Cloudflare replace a traditional origin server?

Not always. Many websites still use an origin server behind Cloudflare. However, some applications can run directly on Cloudflare’s developer platform using Workers and related services.

Who uses Cloudflare?

Individuals, developers, startups, ecommerce businesses, SaaS teams, and enterprises use it for security, performance, networking, and modern application delivery.

Why is Cloudflare important?

Because it combines connectivity, protection, and application delivery in one place. That makes it easier to run Internet services with stronger security, better speed, and less operational complexity.

Cloudflare in one sentence

Cloudflare is a unified Internet platform that helps organizations and developers accelerate websites, secure apps and networks, control traffic, and build modern services on a global cloud network.