---
title: Get started with Optimizely Performance Edge
slug: performance-edge/docs/get-started-with-optimizely-performance-edge
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-08-05T21:01:08.105Z
---

- Optimizely Performance Edge

Optimizely Performance Edge delivers client-side web experiments faster by using a streamlined microsnippet to perform targeting and variation assignment tasks at the CDN level.

If you have Optimizely Web Experimentation, you can add Optimizely Performance Edge to your experimentation stack for a better visitor experience, using a subset of Optimizely Web Experimentation features.

### How Optimizely Performance Edge works

Optimizely Performance Edge uses CDN edge servers instead of your visitors' browsers for experimentation. It combines three different components—the [Edge Decider, microsnippet, and tracking snippet](docId:1ouwt0FSRQElvBzx1Buqc)—to boost the speed and performance of your experiments and keep visitors engaged.

![03201af-cdn-flow.jpg](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/kmvXrE5VJ59w15BLQteTa-20260720-150146.jpg)

### When to use Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation

Only some situations are suitable for Optimizely Performance Edge. See [Optimizely Performance Edge and Optimizely Web Experimentation](docId\:FWuiSomf4mfIM42EHO0XJ) to better understand the difference. 

- **Optimizely Performance Edge **– Use it on entry pages, like your homepage, landing pages, or SEO pages. Optimizely Performance Edge is fast and focused on A/B testing. It offers seamless redirects and limited support for Single Page Applications.
- **Optimizely Web Experimentation **– Use it for pages within your site, like product pages, article pages, checkout pages, or subscription pages. Optimizely Web Experimentation offers powerful targeting. It is configurable for PCI compliance and tracks conversions.

![snippet\_difference.jpg](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/a13gtwa0wxO39EuInvXC7-20260720-150146.jpg)

### Optimizely Performance Edge features

Optimizely Performance Edge uses a subset of features available in Optimizely Web Experimentation:

- [Visual Editor](docId:7tM_zXfrTc6bB19wLURDw)
- [Code editor](docId\:pmjSh15u5_adHbp8k3fFd)
- [Page triggers](docId\:bhoKC5w_xxear_W4tpmMf)
- [Page conditions](docId\:UTKhV6LMW92Gs6ChcHIp6)
- [Audience conditions](docId\:lQFY_WXMJojQTnBgQ-PAe)
- [Event tracking](docId\:puGm9z4XkEG5PDkyaNmlA)

See the [Optimizely Performance Edge](docId\:A7IzG8O3kEFmB75vguN5b) developer documentation for more information. 

![performance-edge.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/ELcGSdahCDdduq5S5Aklx-20260720-150146.png)