DigitalOcean alternatives provide cheaper cloud hosting with better features and performance. Top providers include AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Vultr, and Linode that offer better scaling, more locations, and special tools.
Cloud hosting helps businesses run websites and apps online. DigitalOcean works well, but other providers might cost less or work better for your needs. Many companies offer cloud hosting with different prices and features.
This guide shows 12 top alternatives to DigitalOcean. We look at their prices, features, speed, and what they work best for. Each provider has different benefits that might fit your project better.
What Makes a Good DigitalOcean Alternative?
A good alternative costs less, runs fast, has helpful support, and includes features you need. Look for server locations near your users, clear pricing, easy scaling, and good uptime.
Key things to check:
- Server locations worldwide
- Clear pricing with no hidden fees
- Easy to add more power when needed
- Tools for developers
- Servers stay online 99.9% of time
- Help available 24/7
- Security features included
- Backup options
Top 12 DigitalOcean Alternatives In 2025
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is the biggest cloud provider in the world with over 200 different services. It started in 2006 and now serves millions of customers from small startups to huge companies like Netflix and Airbnb. AWS has data centers in 31 regions around the world and offers everything from basic web hosting to advanced machine learning tools. The platform handles massive amounts of traffic and provides enterprise-level security that meets strict compliance standards.
AWS keeps adding new services and features regularly, making it a comprehensive solution for almost any computing need. However, the huge number of options can make it confusing for beginners, and costs can add up quickly if not managed carefully.
Key Features:
- 200+ cloud services and tools
- Global presence in 31 availability zones
- Pay-as-you-use pricing model
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Extensive documentation and community support
Pricing: Free tier for 12 months. EC2 instances start at $0.0116 per hour. Pricing changes based on what services you use.
Best For: Big companies, complex apps needing many services, developers wanting advanced tools, businesses serving customers worldwide.
2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud Platform uses Google’s massive global network to provide fast cloud services. It runs on the same infrastructure that powers Google Search, YouTube, and Gmail, which means it can handle enormous amounts of data and traffic. GCP excels at data analysis and machine learning because Google has been working on these technologies for years.
The platform offers some of the best pricing in the industry with per-second billing and automatic discounts for steady usage. Google’s network connects data centers with private fiber cables, making data transfer faster than competitors. The platform integrates well with other Google services and provides strong tools for developers working with containers and Kubernetes.
Key Features:
- Advanced machine learning and AI tools
- Global fiber network for fast performance
- Kubernetes-native container services
- Competitive pricing with sustained use discounts
- Integration with Google Workspace and other Google services
Pricing: $300 free credits for new users. Compute instances start at $0.010 per hour. Bills by the second for better cost control.
Best For: Apps that handle lots of data, machine learning projects, businesses using Google services, developers needing analytics tools.
3. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure works best for companies already using Microsoft products like Windows Server, Office 365, or .NET applications. It offers seamless integration with existing Microsoft infrastructure, making it easier for IT teams to manage everything in one place.
Azure provides hybrid cloud solutions that let companies keep some systems on-premises while moving others to the cloud. The platform has strong compliance features and security tools that meet enterprise requirements. Microsoft invests heavily in Azure and keeps adding new features regularly. Azure supports both Windows and Linux systems and offers good tools for developers using Microsoft technologies. The pricing can be complex, but Microsoft offers various cost-saving options for long-term commitments.
Key Features:
- Seamless integration with Microsoft products
- Hybrid cloud capabilities
- Extensive compliance certifications
- Advanced security features
- Developer-friendly tools and services
Pricing: $200 free credits for new accounts. Virtual machines start at $0.012 per hour. Various pricing options including reserved instances.
Best For: Companies using Microsoft products, hybrid cloud setups, .NET developers, organizations needing compliance features.
4. Vultr
Vultr is well-known as one of the best DigitalOcean alternatives. This platform focuses on simplicity and performance with straightforward pricing and fast SSD storage. The company has 25+ data centers around the world and offers simple hourly or monthly billing without complicated pricing tiers. Vultr provides good performance at competitive prices and includes DDoS protection with all plans. The platform offers one-click installations for popular applications and has a clean, easy-to-use control panel.
Vultr targets developers and small businesses that want reliable hosting without complexity. The company has grown quickly by offering transparent pricing and good customer service. Their high-frequency compute instances provide extra performance for demanding applications, and they regularly add new features based on customer feedback.
What I love about Vultr is the pricing. It little bit cheaper than Digital Ocean, and when I look for Digital Ocean alternative for my small and medium blog Vultr is better.
For high performance, I chose AMD for $24.00 per month, getting server quality with 2 vCPUs, 4 GB RAM, 5 TB bandwidth, and 100 GB NVMe SSD. It’s very powerful for small and medium websites. I host 10 websites on one server with these specifications, experiencing nearly zero downtime, and it’s very fast and smooth.
Key Features:
- 25+ global server locations
- High-performance SSD storage
- Simple hourly and monthly billing
- One-click app deployments
- DDoS protection included
Pricing: Regular servers start at $2.50 per month for 512MB RAM. High-performance servers start at $6 per month. All plans include bandwidth and DDoS protection.
Best For: Developers wanting simple pricing, small to medium businesses, gaming apps, projects needing global presence.
5. Linode
Linode has built a strong reputation for excellent customer support and developer-friendly services over its 18+ year history. The company focuses on providing reliable Linux-based virtual machines with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Linode offers comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and guides that help developers learn and solve problems quickly.
Their customer support team consists of Linux experts who can help with technical issues. The platform provides a clean control panel and powerful API for automation. Linode has been adding new features like Kubernetes support and object storage while maintaining their focus on simplicity. They offer predictable pricing with generous bandwidth allowances and don’t charge extra for many features that other providers bill separately.
Key Features:
- Transparent and predictable pricing
- Excellent customer support and documentation
- Developer-friendly control panel
- Global data centers
- Kubernetes support
Pricing: Shared CPU instances start at $5 per month for 1GB RAM. Dedicated CPU instances start at $30 per month. All plans include generous bandwidth.
Best For: Developers and small businesses, Linux-based apps, projects needing excellent support, cost-conscious users.
6. Hetzner Cloud
Hetzner Cloud is a German company that offers some of the best price-to-performance ratios in Europe. They use high-quality hardware in their own data centers and focus on providing powerful servers at low prices. Hetzner has been in the hosting business for over 25 years and has built a reputation for reliability and fair pricing. Their cloud platform is newer but maintains the same focus on value and performance.
Hetzner complies with strict European data protection laws and offers GDPR-compliant hosting. The platform provides simple pricing, good performance, and reliable infrastructure. While they have fewer global locations than larger providers, their European presence is strong and their prices are hard to beat for the performance offered.
What I love about Hetzner is that it is very cheap with high performance. Hetzner is very suitable as an alternative to Digital Ocean because the price is quite cheap and the specifications, such as RAM and vCPU, are quite high compared to Digital Ocean.
Key Features:
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- European data centers with GDPR compliance
- Simple and transparent pricing
- High-quality hardware and network
- API and automation tools
Pricing: Cloud servers start at € 3.79 per month for 2 vCPUs, 40 GB NVMe SSD, and 4 GB RAM. Some of the most competitive pricing in Europe.
Best For: European businesses, cost-sensitive projects, GDPR compliance needs, developers seeking value hosting.
7. UpCloud
UpCloud is a Finnish company offering fast cloud hosting and a strong alternative to DigitalOcean. It has a special feature called vertical scaling, which lets you adjust server power without downtime. Their MaxIOPS storage is faster than regular SSDs. You can increase or decrease server resources without restarting, which is rare.
UpCloud is great for businesses needing flexible, high-performance hosting for their apps. They offer hybrid cloud options, mixing public cloud with dedicated servers for specific needs. Their pricing is simple with hourly billing, and they have good customer support. The platform focuses on reliability and speed, ideal for apps that need top performance.
Key Features:
- MaxIOPS storage for exceptional performance
- Vertical scaling without downtime
- Hybrid cloud infrastructure
- Simple hourly pricing
- Advanced networking features
Pricing: Simple cloud servers start at $5 per month for 1GB RAM. MaxIOPS servers start at $10 per month with premium storage performance.
Best For: Performance-critical apps, businesses needing flexible scaling, hybrid infrastructure needs, European hosting requirements.
8. OVHcloud
OVHcloud is a French company and one of Europe’s largest cloud providers, offering a wide range of hosting services from basic web hosting to enterprise cloud solutions. They operate their own data centers worldwide and provide competitive pricing across their service portfolio.
OVHcloud offers public cloud, private cloud, and dedicated servers, giving customers flexibility in choosing the right solution. The company emphasizes data sovereignty and GDPR compliance, making it popular with European businesses. OVHcloud has been expanding globally and now has presence in North America and Asia. Their pricing is competitive, and they offer various billing options. The platform provides good performance and reliability, though their interface and documentation can be less polished than some competitors.
Key Features:
- Multiple cloud deployment options
- Global infrastructure presence
- Competitive pricing structure
- GDPR-compliant European hosting
- Extensive service portfolio
Pricing: Public cloud instances start at $0.0044 per hour. Various billing options including hourly and monthly rates.
Best For: European businesses, diverse hosting needs, GDPR compliance requirements, organizations seeking comprehensive cloud solutions.
9. Scaleway
Scaleway is a French cloud provider that focuses on innovative hardware and competitive pricing in Europe. They offer ARM-based servers that provide better energy efficiency and cost savings compared to traditional x86 servers. Scaleway provides GPU instances for artificial intelligence and machine learning workloads at competitive prices.
The company has been expanding their service portfolio to include container services, object storage, and databases. Scaleway targets developers and businesses looking for modern, efficient cloud infrastructure at reasonable prices. Their platform emphasizes cutting-edge technology and developer-friendly features. While they have fewer global locations than larger providers, their European presence is strong and their pricing is very competitive for specialized computing needs.
Key Features:
- ARM-based servers for efficiency
- GPU instances for AI and machine learning
- Container and Kubernetes services
- Competitive European pricing
- Innovative hardware solutions
Pricing: Development instances start at €0.0025 per hour. GPU instances start at €0.30 per hour. Very competitive rates for specialized computing.
Best For: AI and machine learning projects, developers trying ARM architecture, European hosting needs, cost-effective specialized computing.
10. IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud targets enterprise customers with advanced AI capabilities, robust security features, and industry-specific solutions. The platform leverages IBM’s decades of experience in enterprise computing and artificial intelligence research. IBM Cloud offers Watson AI services that provide pre-built machine learning models and natural language processing capabilities. The platform emphasizes hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, helping enterprises integrate cloud services with existing infrastructure.
IBM provides extensive compliance certifications and security features that meet requirements for highly regulated industries like finance and healthcare. The pricing is generally higher than pure-play cloud providers, but IBM offers comprehensive enterprise support and professional services. IBM Cloud works well for large organizations that need advanced AI capabilities and enterprise-grade support.
Key Features:
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance
- Advanced AI and Watson services
- Hybrid and multi-cloud capabilities
- Global infrastructure presence
- Industry-specific solutions
Pricing: Virtual server instances start at $0.087 per hour. Various pricing models including reserved instances and subscription plans.
Best For: Large enterprises, AI and machine learning apps, highly regulated industries, hybrid cloud deployments.
11. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure focuses on high-performance computing and database services, leveraging Oracle’s expertise in enterprise database technology. OCI offers autonomous database services that automatically handle patching, tuning, and scaling without human intervention. The platform provides competitive pricing for compute instances and includes generous always-free tier resources. Oracle has been investing heavily in cloud infrastructure to compete with AWS and Microsoft Azure.
OCI offers good performance for database workloads and integrates well with existing Oracle applications and databases. The platform emphasizes security and compliance features important to enterprise customers. While OCI has fewer services than larger cloud providers, it excels in areas where Oracle has traditional strengths like databases and enterprise applications.
Key Features:
- Autonomous database services
- High-performance computing capabilities
- Competitive enterprise pricing
- Advanced security features
- Integration with Oracle applications
Pricing: Compute instances start at $0.0255 per hour for AMD servers. Always-free tier with limited resources and competitive enterprise pricing.
Best For: Oracle application users, database-heavy workloads, enterprise apps, high-performance computing needs.
12. Cloudflare Workers and R2
Cloudflare Workers provides serverless computing that runs code at edge locations around the world, making applications faster for users everywhere. R2 object storage offers competitive pricing with no egress fees, making it much cheaper than traditional cloud storage for bandwidth-heavy applications.
Cloudflare leverages their global content delivery network to provide low-latency computing and storage services. The platform focuses on performance and cost-effectiveness rather than providing comprehensive cloud services. Workers automatically scales based on demand and only charges for actual usage.
R2 storage integrates with Cloudflare’s CDN for fast content delivery worldwide. The platform works well for applications that need global reach and fast performance but don’t require traditional server infrastructure.
Key Features:
- Serverless computing at global edge locations
- Cost-effective object storage with R2
- No egress fees for storage
- Global CDN integration
- Developer-friendly pricing
Pricing: Workers start at $5 per month for 10 million requests. R2 storage costs $0.015 per GB per month with no egress fees.
Best For: Serverless apps, global content delivery, cost-effective storage needs, edge computing requirements.
Comparison Table: DigitalOcean Alternatives
| Provider | Starting Price | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS | $0.0116/hour | Comprehensive services | Enterprise applications |
| Google Cloud | $0.010/hour | AI/ML capabilities | Data analytics |
| Microsoft Azure | $0.012/hour | Microsoft integration | Enterprise Windows |
| Vultr | $2.50/month | Simple pricing | Small businesses |
| Linode | $5/month | Developer experience | Linux applications |
| Hetzner | €2.49/month | Price performance | European hosting |
| UpCloud | $5/month | Vertical scaling | Performance apps |
| OVHcloud | $0.0044/hour | Service variety | Diverse needs |
| Scaleway | €0.0025/hour | ARM innovation | AI/ML projects |
| IBM Cloud | $0.087/hour | Enterprise AI | Large enterprises |
| Oracle OCI | $0.0255/hour | Database services | Oracle workloads |
| Cloudflare | $5/month | Edge computing | Serverless apps |
How to Choose the Right Alternative
Pick based on your budget, technical needs, location, and growth plans. Consider total costs, required features, where your users are located, and how much you might grow.
Budget Planning
Look at total costs including servers, storage, and bandwidth. Some providers include more in their base price while others charge for everything separately.
Technical Needs
Match provider features to your technology stack. Check if they support your operating system, programming languages, and databases.
Location Matters
Pick providers with servers near your users for better speed. Consider data laws that might require specific locations.
Growth Planning
Choose providers that can handle your growth. Look for easy scaling options and reasonable pricing as you get bigger.
Migration Tips
Plan carefully, test thoroughly, and move gradually to avoid problems. Good migration reduces downtime and keeps everything working.
Before Moving
- Check what you currently use and what depends on it
- Find potential problems and plan solutions
- Create timeline and backup plan
- Set up monitoring and backups
Testing Phase
- Set up test environment on new provider
- Test performance and check everything works
- Verify integrations with other services
- Train your team on new platform
Moving Process
- Start with less important applications first
- Gradually shift traffic using DNS or load balancers
- Watch performance and user experience closely
- Keep access to old infrastructure as backup
Cost Saving Tips
Save money by right-sizing resources, using commitments, and automating scaling. Smart resource management cuts costs without hurting performance.
Right-Size Resources
Monitor actual usage and adjust server sizes. Many applications use bigger servers than needed, wasting money.
Use Commitments
Most providers offer discounts for committed usage. Consider reserved instances or savings plans for steady workloads.
Auto-Scale
Set up automatic scaling to match resources with demand. This prevents wasting money during low-traffic times.
Optimize Storage
Use appropriate storage types for different data. Move old data to cheaper storage and set up automatic management.
Performance Factors
Performance depends on server quality, network speed, location, and provider infrastructure. These factors affect how fast your applications run.
Server Quality
Different providers use different hardware quality. Consider CPU speed, memory, storage type, and network capabilities.
Network Speed
Check provider network quality and bandwidth. Network performance affects how fast your application responds to users.
Location Impact
Choose providers with data centers close to your users. Consider CDN integration for global applications.
Security Features
Security varies among providers with different protections, certifications, and tools. Check what security features are included.
Built-in Protection
Look at included security features like DDoS protection, firewalls, and monitoring. Some providers include comprehensive security while others charge extra.
Compliance Standards
Different providers have various certifications like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR. Choose providers with certifications you need.
Data Protection
Consider encryption options, backup policies, and data location controls. Some providers offer better privacy features.
Support Quality
Good support helps during problems and complex setups. Support quality varies significantly among providers.
Support Options
Check available support channels like chat, phone, email, and tickets. Consider if you need 24/7 support.
Documentation
Good documentation and tutorials reduce need for direct support. Check quality of self-help resources.
Technical Skills
Support team expertise varies. Some offer advanced help while others provide basic assistance only.
Future Planning
Consider long-term trends, provider roadmaps, and growth needs. Plan for changing requirements and new technologies.
Technology Innovation
Check if providers invest in new technologies like AI, edge computing, and containers. Choose providers developing relevant technologies.
Avoiding Lock-in
Consider how easily you can leave each provider if needed. Check proprietary services usage and data portability.
Growth Support
Choose providers that can handle significant growth in scale and complexity. Consider expansion capabilities and enterprise features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AWS better than DigitalOcean for small businesses?
No. AWS is more complex and expensive for small businesses. DigitalOcean offers simpler pricing and easier management for basic needs, while AWS provides more services for complex requirements.
Can I migrate from DigitalOcean without downtime?
Yes. Migration without downtime is possible using gradual traffic shifting and DNS updates. Proper planning and testing ensure smooth transitions.
Which alternative offers the best price-performance ratio?
It depends on needs. Hetzner Cloud offers excellent value for European users, while Vultr provides good global value. AWS and Google Cloud offer better performance but cost more.
Do all alternatives support the same operating systems?
No. Most support common Linux distributions and Windows Server, but specific versions vary. Check OS support before migration.
Are there free alternatives to DigitalOcean?
Yes, with limits. Google Cloud offers $300 credits, AWS provides free tier for 12 months, and Oracle Cloud includes always-free resources. These have usage restrictions.
Which provider offers the best customer support?
Linode gets high ratings for support quality, followed by Vultr and UpCloud. Enterprise providers offer comprehensive support but often require paid plans.
Can I use multiple cloud providers at once?
Yes. Multi-cloud provides redundancy and prevents lock-in. However, this increases complexity and management overhead.
How do bandwidth costs compare?
Bandwidth pricing varies significantly. Some providers include generous bandwidth while others charge separately. Cloudflare R2 offers no egress fees for bandwidth-heavy applications.
Conclusion
The 12 alternatives offer different advantages from AWS’s comprehensive services to Hetzner’s exceptional value pricing. Choose based on your specific needs, budget, and technical requirements.
Small businesses and developers benefit from Vultr, Linode, and Hetzner Cloud’s simple pricing and developer-friendly features. Enterprise organizations may prefer AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure’s extensive services and advanced capabilities.
Consider geographic requirements, scalability needs, technical compatibility, and support quality when deciding. Many providers offer free trials for hands-on testing before migration.
The cloud hosting market keeps evolving with new technologies and competitive pricing. Regular evaluation ensures your hosting solution stays optimal for changing needs.
