Comparison
DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai)
Entry-tier specs and a plain-English verdict — updated 2026-08-12.
DigitalOcean wins when documentation, developer experience, and ecosystem polish matter most. Linode (Akamai) often edges on included transfer and long-standing network reputation. For a first VPS, pick DigitalOcean if you want the smoothest onboarding and one-click apps. Pick Linode if you already know Linux hosting and care more about transfer allowances and Akamai adjacency. Entry-tier 1–2 GB plans land near each other on sticker price; the gap shows up in transfer, support expectations, and how quickly you can ship a side project.
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DigitalOcean
Best for: People who want predictable droplet pricing, excellent documentation, and a smooth first-VPS experience with one-click apps and App Platform nearby.
Watch out: Not always the cheapest at scale. Bandwidth overages can add up on high-traffic workloads. Raw $/GB may favor Hetzner, Contabo, or Vultr for heavy transfer.
Linode (Akamai)
Best for: Teams that already like Linode's API and want Akamai's network plus generous included transfer.
Watch out: Affiliate story is mostly referral credit, not cash. Naming drifted after the Akamai buy — match SKUs on the live pricing page.
Spec snapshot
Comparable entry-tier plans from each provider.
| Field | DigitalOcean | Linode (Akamai) |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | Basic Droplet 1GB | Nanode 1GB |
| vCPU | 1 | 1 |
| RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Disk | 25 GB ssd | 25 GB ssd |
| Bandwidth | 1.0 TB | 1.0 TB |
| List price | $6.00/mo | $5.00/mo |
All tracked plans
Every plan we currently track for both providers.
| Provider | Plan | vCPU | RAM | Disk | $/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DigitalOcean | Basic Droplet 1GB | 1 | 1 GB | 25 GB | $6.00 |
| DigitalOcean | Basic Droplet 2GB | 1 | 2 GB | 50 GB | $12.00 |
| DigitalOcean | Basic Droplet 4GB | 2 | 4 GB | 80 GB | $24.00 |
| DigitalOcean | CPU-Optimized 4GB | 2 | 4 GB | 25 GB | $42.00 |
| Linode (Akamai) | Nanode 1GB | 1 | 1 GB | 25 GB | $5.00 |
| Linode (Akamai) | Linode 2GB | 1 | 2 GB | 50 GB | $12.00 |
| Linode (Akamai) | Linode 4GB | 2 | 4 GB | 80 GB | $24.00 |
| Linode (Akamai) | Dedicated 4GB | 2 | 4 GB | 80 GB | $36.00 |
Related: DigitalOcean overview · Linode (Akamai) overview · Methodology