Reviewed 2026-10-14
DigitalOcean vs Linode
Two long-running VPS providers; the practical difference is now who publishes the second one's pricing.
Our take
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean keeps the more coherent product story: one console, one set of tutorials and rates published per server. Linode's cloud continues under Akamai, and its pricing now lives on Akamai's cloud pages. Choose on which console you would rather operate, because the compute itself is comparable.
Side by side
Rows marked in colour show which option we think is ahead on that point.
| Criteria | DigitalOcean | Linode (Akamai Cloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Where pricing is published | On DigitalOcean's own site | On Akamai's cloud pages |
| Console and branding | Unchanged | Moved under Akamai |
| Documentation | Extensive tutorials beyond the product docs | Existing Linode guides, some now behind the migration |
| Managed databases | Available | Available |
| Regions | Several regions | Several regions |
Sources
These are the vendor pages we used when writing this comparison. Prices and plan limits change; confirm them before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Answers restate what this comparison records and link to the vendor pages it cites.
What is the difference between DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai Cloud)?
Two long-running VPS providers; the practical difference is now who publishes the second one's pricing.
How do DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai Cloud) compare on price?
Both are tiered, so the figure depends on your own volume. Our entries describe DigitalOcean as: Hourly and monthly rates per server size, billed as you use them. And Linode (Akamai Cloud) as: Hourly and monthly rates per instance size, billed from a prepaid balance. Compare the DigitalOcean pricing page and the Linode (Akamai Cloud) pricing page before you commit.
Which should I choose, DigitalOcean or Linode (Akamai Cloud)?
DigitalOcean keeps the more coherent product story: one console, one set of tutorials and rates published per server. Linode's cloud continues under Akamai, and its pricing now lives on Akamai's cloud pages. Choose on which console you would rather operate, because the compute itself is comparable.
Where did the figures in this comparison come from?
This comparison is based on the vendor pages we read: DigitalOcean pricing and Akamai cloud pricing (Linode). Prices and plan limits change, so check them before you commit.
How do DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai Cloud) compare on "Where pricing is published"?
DigitalOcean: On DigitalOcean's own site. Linode (Akamai Cloud): On Akamai's cloud pages.
How do DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai Cloud) compare on "Console and branding"?
DigitalOcean: Unchanged. Linode (Akamai Cloud): Moved under Akamai.