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

Linode (now Akamai Cloud) and Vultr are two of the most respected names in developer-focused VPS hosting. Both offer competitive pricing and solid performance, but subtle differences matter. Here's our complete breakdown.

Quick Verdict

Choose Linode if: You want Akamai's global network, excellent support, and a mature ecosystem with managed databases and Kubernetes.

Choose Vultr if: You need bare metal options, more global locations, or prefer slightly lower entry pricing.

Pricing Comparison

Plan	Linode	Vultr
Entry VPS	$5/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM)	$5/mo (1 vCPU, 1GB RAM)
Mid-tier	$20/mo (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM)	$20/mo (2 vCPU, 4GB RAM)
High-end	$80/mo (4 vCPU, 16GB RAM)	$80/mo (4 vCPU, 16GB RAM)
Bare Metal	❌ Not available	$120/mo+

Pricing is nearly identical for standard VPS. Vultr wins if you need bare metal or high-frequency compute options.

Performance Benchmarks

Both providers deliver competitive performance:

• CPU Performance: Vultr High Frequency instances edge ahead by ~15%
• I/O Speed: Comparable NVMe performance (~500 MB/s)
• Network: Linode benefits from Akamai's backbone; Vultr has more edge locations
• Bandwidth: Both include generous transfer (1-20TB depending on plan)

Features Matrix

Feature	Linode	Vultr
Control Panel	Cloud Manager	Modern Dashboard
API Access	Full REST API	Full REST API
Kubernetes	✅ LKE (managed)	✅ VKE (managed)
Bare Metal	❌	✅
Backups	$2-20/mo	$1-4/mo
DDoS Protection	✅ Akamai-backed	✅ Included
Locations	15 regions	32 locations
GPU Instances	❌	✅ NVIDIA A100

Best Use Cases

Linode excels for:

• Applications needing Akamai's CDN integration
• Teams wanting managed databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL)
• Long-term projects valuing stability
• Users who prioritize support quality

Vultr excels for:

• Projects needing bare metal performance
• AI/ML workloads requiring GPU instances
• Applications needing niche locations (Africa, South America)
• Cost-sensitive users wanting hourly billing flexibility

FAQ

Is Linode still independent after Akamai acquisition?

Linode operates as "Akamai Cloud Computing" but maintains its product line. The main benefit is improved DDoS protection and network performance.

Which has better uptime?

Both offer 99.99% uptime SLAs. Historical data shows comparable reliability. Linode edges ahead slightly in our monitoring.

Can I switch between Linode and Vultr easily?

Yes, both use standard Linux images. Snapshot your server, download the image, and restore on the other platform.

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Our recommendation: Linode for managed services and enterprise reliability. Vultr for bare metal, GPU instances, or if you need locations in emerging markets.