DigitalOcean vs Linode vs Hetzner (2026)
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Comprehensive comparison of three popular cloud hosting providers: DigitalOcean, Linode, and Hetzner. Compare pricing, performance, features, data center locations, and find the best provider for your needs in 2026.
What is DigitalOcean?
DigitalOcean was founded in 2012 and has become one of the most popular cloud providers for developers and small to medium businesses. Known for its simplicity and excellent documentation, DigitalOcean offers cloud computing services with a focus on developer experience.
DigitalOcean provides a wide range of products including:
- Droplets - Scalable virtual machines (Linux and Windows)
- Kubernetes - Managed Kubernetes service
- App Platform - PaaS for deploying apps directly from GitHub
- Databases - Managed PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, and MongoDB
- Spaces - S3-compatible object storage
- Functions - Serverless computing
DigitalOcean Data Centers
DigitalOcean has 14 datacenter regions worldwide: New York, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Singapore, Toronto, Bangalore, Sydney, and more.
What is Linode?
Linode was founded in 2003, making it one of the oldest cloud hosting providers still in operation. Acquired by Akamai in 2022, Linode combines its long-standing reputation with Akamai's global infrastructure and security expertise.
Linode offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services:
- Linodes - Linux virtual machines (various distributions)
- Kubernetes - Managed Kubernetes (LKE)
- Managed Databases - MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB
- Object Storage - S3-compatible storage
- NodeBalancers - Managed load balancers
- Cloud Firewall - Free firewall service
- Backups - Automated backup service
Linode Data Centers
Linode operates 11 global regions: Newark, Atlanta, Dallas, Fremont, Frankfurt, London, Toronto, Tokyo, Singapore, Sydney, and Mumbai.
What is Hetzner?
Hetzner is a German cloud provider founded in 1997, originally known for dedicated servers. They expanded into cloud computing with extremely competitive pricing, making them a favorite among cost-conscious developers and businesses.
Hetzner's product offerings include:
- Cloud Servers - Linux virtual machines with high performance
- Dedicated Root Servers - Single-tenant dedicated servers
- Object Storage - S3-compatible storage
- Managed Databases - MySQL, PostgreSQL, Redis
- Cloud Console - Free managed Kubernetes
- Volumes - Block storage
Hetzner Data Centers
Hetzner has 3 primary regions: Falkenstein (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), and Ashburn, VA (USA - via their US arm).
Pricing Comparison (2026)
Here's a detailed pricing comparison across common configurations:
| Specification | DigitalOcean | Linode | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CPU / 1GB RAM | $6/mo | $5/mo | €4.14/mo (~$4.50) |
| 2 CPU / 2GB RAM | $12/mo | $10/mo | €8.28/mo (~$9) |
| 2 CPU / 4GB RAM | $18/mo | $16/mo | €12.43/mo (~$13.50) |
| 4 CPU / 8GB RAM | $40/mo | $32/mo | €24.86/mo (~$27) |
| 8 CPU / 16GB RAM | $80/mo | $64/mo | €49.72/mo (~$54) |
| Object Storage (250GB) | $5/mo | $5/mo | €4.50/mo |
| Kubernetes (3 nodes, 2 vCPU/4GB) | $60/mo | $54/mo | €33.60/mo |
| Managed Database (2 vCPU/4GB) | $30/mo | $25/mo | €17.60/mo |
Additional Costs to Consider
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Linode | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 1TB included | 1TB included | 20TB included |
| Backups | 20% of instance | $1-2/mo | €1.58/mo |
| IPv6 | Included | Included | Included |
| Free Tier | -$200 credit for 60 days | $100 credit for 60 days | €20 credit for new accounts |
Features Comparison
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Linode | Hetzner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uptime SLA | 99.99% (Droplets) | 99.99% | 99.9% |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Hetzner Cloud) |
| Object Storage | Spaces ($5/250GB) | Object Storage ($5/250GB) | Object Storage (€4.50/250GB) |
| Load Balancers | $10/mo | $10/mo | Free (Cloud) |
| Managed Databases | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPU Instances | Yes | Yes | No |
| Windows VMs | Yes | No | No |
| Free Managed Database | No | No | No |
| Community/Stack | Excellent | Good | Limited (mostly German) |
| API | Full API | Full API | Full API |
Performance Benchmarks
All three providers offer excellent performance for typical workloads. Here are general observations:
Compute Performance
- DigitalOcean - Uses SSDs, consistent performance, good for general workloads
- Linode - Excellent performance-to-price ratio, uses enterprise NVMe SSDs
- Hetzner - Often outperforms competitors on raw CPU/price, uses NVMe SSDs
Network Performance
- DigitalOcean - Excellent network, good peering, 1Gbps standard (up to 10Gbps)
- Linode - Good network, benefits from Akamai's global CDN
- Hetzner - Excellent European bandwidth, decent US, limited Asian presence
When to Choose DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is the best choice when:
- You want the best developer experience with excellent documentation
- You need Windows virtual machines
- You want GPU instances for ML/AI workloads
- You need App Platform for easy deployments
- You're new to cloud computing and want gentle learning curve
- You need global presence with well-distributed data centers
Best DigitalOcean Use Cases
- Web applications and websites
- Development and testing environments
- Startups needing quick deployment
- Learning cloud computing
- Containerized applications (DOKS)
- WordPress and CMS hosting
When to Choose Linode
Linode is the best choice when:
- You want the best balance of price and performance
- You need Akamai's security and global infrastructure
- You want reliable service with good support
- You're comfortable with Linux and want full control
- You need managed Kubernetes without complexity
Best Linode Use Cases
- Production web applications
- Self-hosted services (Nextcloud, Plex, etc.)
- API backends
- Small to medium databases
- CI/CD runners
- Developer workstations
When to Choose Hetzner
Hetzner is the best choice when:
- Cost is your primary concern
- Your users are primarily in Europe
- You want dedicated servers or single-tenant cloud
- You need high bandwidth (20TB included)
- You need free load balancers with cloud
- You don't need extensive English-language support
Best Hetzner Use Cases
- Budget-sensitive projects
- European-focused applications
- Self-hosted infrastructure
- Dedicated server requirements
- High-bandwidth applications
- Home labs and learning
Verdict: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
| Need | Recommended Provider |
|---|---|
| Best developer experience | DigitalOcean |
| Lowest cost | Hetzner |
| Best price/performance balance | Linode |
| European servers | Hetzner | DigitalOcean |
| GPU instances | DigitalOcean |
| Dedicated servers | Hetzner |
| New to cloud | DigitalOcean |
| Enterprise with support needs | DigitalOcean or Linode |
| High bandwidth needs | Hetzner |
Conclusion
All three providers offer excellent value, and the right choice depends on your specific needs:
DigitalOcean remains the most approachable option with excellent documentation, making it ideal for beginners and teams that prioritize developer experience. Its wide range of products and global presence make it suitable for most use cases.
Linode offers the best balance of performance, features, and price. Backed by Akamai, it provides enterprise-grade infrastructure at competitive prices with reliable service.
Hetzner is the clear winner for cost-sensitive projects, especially those serving European audiences. If you can work with their limited English support and data center locations, the savings are substantial.
For most developers starting out, we recommend DigitalOcean for its excellent onboarding experience. As your needs grow, consider Hetzner for cost optimization or Linode for a balanced approach.