DigitalOcean vs Linode: Which VPS is Right for You in 2026?

DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai Cloud) are the OG developer cloud platforms. Both pioneered simple, affordable VPS hosting. With Linode now under Akamai, how do they compare? Let's dive in.

Quick Verdict

Choose DigitalOcean if: You want the best developer experience, extensive marketplace, and industry-leading documentation.

Choose Linode if: You value Akamai's network backbone, competitive pricing, and equally solid managed services.

Pricing Comparison

Plan	DigitalOcean	Linode
Entry VPS	$6/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM)	$5/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM)
Mid-tier	$24/mo (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM)	$20/mo (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM)
High-end	$48/mo (4 vCPU, 8GB RAM)	$40/mo (4 vCPU, 8GB RAM)

Linode is ~15-20% cheaper across the board. DigitalOcean charges a premium for its polished experience.

Performance Benchmarks

Nearly identical performance:

• CPU Performance: Comparable AMD EPYC/Intel Xeon processors
• I/O Speed: Both offer premium NVMe storage (~500-600 MB/s)
• Network: Linode edges ahead with Akamai backbone; DigitalOcean has more locations
• Bandwidth: Similar generous allocations (1-5TB+)

Features Matrix

Feature	DigitalOcean	Linode
Control Panel	Industry-leading	Cloud Manager
API/CLI	Excellent doctl CLI	Linode CLI
Kubernetes	✅ DOKS	✅ LKE
App Platform	✅ PaaS offering	❌
Managed DB	✅ PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis	✅ PostgreSQL, MySQL
Functions	✅ Serverless	❌
Marketplace	200+ 1-click apps	100+ apps
Documentation	Best in class	Excellent

Best Use Cases

DigitalOcean excels for:

• Developers wanting polished UX and docs
• Teams using App Platform (PaaS)
• Serverless workloads (DO Functions)
• Startups in the DO Hatch program

Linode excels for:

• Cost-conscious developers
• Applications benefiting from Akamai CDN
• Enterprise migrations from traditional hosting
• Users prioritizing phone support (available)

FAQ

How does Akamai ownership affect Linode?

Linode gained Akamai's global network and DDoS protection. Core products remain unchanged. It's mostly positive.

Which has better support?

Linode offers 24/7 phone support on higher tiers. DigitalOcean is ticket-based but has unmatched community/docs. Preference varies.

Is DigitalOcean worth the premium?

For many developers, yes. The UX, documentation, and marketplace are worth 15-20% more. Budget-focused users should try Linode.

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Our recommendation: DigitalOcean for best developer experience. Linode for better value and Akamai network benefits. Both are excellent choices.