Hosting & Infra
DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai): Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai). See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: DigitalOcean starts at $0.15/mo, making it $5/mo cheaper than Linode (Akamai) ($5/mo). DigitalOcean offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026
DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai): Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Linode (Akamai) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0.15/mo | $5/mo |
| Number of Plans | 18 | 4 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
DigitalOcean is the more affordable option, starting at $0.15/mo compared to Linode (Akamai)'s $5/mo. Both are Hosting & Infra tools with 22 combined pricing plans and 69 features compared.
DigitalOcean stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Hosting & Infra needs.
| Pricing Plans |  DigitalOcean Try it free |  Linode (Akamai) Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Gradient™ AI Platform $0/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 2 | Gradient™ AI GPU Droplets $2/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 3 | Additional GPU Options Custom pricing Includes
| Dedicated CPU 4GBPopular $36/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 4 | App Platform $0/monthCheapest Includes
| High Memory 24GB $60/month Includes
|
| Tier 5 | Droplets $4/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 6 | Kubernetes $12/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 7 | Functions $0/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 8 | Cloudways Managed Hosting $11/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 9 | Backups $20/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 10 | Databases $15/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 11 | Spaces $5/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 12 | Network File Storage $0/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 13 | Volumes $10/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 14 | Container Registry $0/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 15 | Load Balancers $12/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 16 | Support Plans $0/monthCheapest Includes
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| Tier 17 | Virtual Private Cloud $0/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 18 | Uptime $0/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
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Our Pick
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean offers a free plan, starts at $4.85/mo lower ($0.15/mo vs $5/mo), offers 18 tiers vs 4.
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: DigitalOcean
Try DigitalOcean freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose DigitalOcean if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—DigitalOcean starts at $0.15/mo, saving $4.85/mo compared to Linode (Akamai) at $5/mo
- •You need a free plan with Build, deploy and scale apps quickly, Fully managed solution, zero infrastructure management—DigitalOcean offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You need 18 pricing tiers for flexible team sizing—more options mean less overpaying for features you don't need
- •You want more features built-in—DigitalOcean offers 37 additional features across its plans
Choose Linode (Akamai) if:
- •You prioritize Linode (Akamai)'s user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •Linode (Akamai)'s 4-tier usage-based structure gives clearer cost visibility for budget planning
- •Linode (Akamai) keeps its feature set lean, which means faster onboarding and less complexity
DigitalOcean is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $0.15/mo compared to Linode (Akamai)'s $5/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to DigitalOcean saving approximately $243/month. DigitalOcean offers 18 pricing tiers compared to Linode (Akamai)'s 4, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, DigitalOcean provides 53 total features versus 16 for Linode (Akamai), offering a richer feature set depending on your specific needs. The pricing math favors DigitalOcean for most team sizes. Linode (Akamai) becomes worth the premium only when its differentiating features are central to your workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions: DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai)
Which is cheaper, DigitalOcean or Linode (Akamai)?
As of March 2026, DigitalOcean starts at a lower price point. DigitalOcean starts at $0.15/mo while Linode (Akamai) starts at $5/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does DigitalOcean have vs Linode (Akamai)?
DigitalOcean offers 18 pricing plans, while Linode (Akamai) offers 4 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does DigitalOcean or Linode (Akamai) offer a free plan?
DigitalOcean offers a free plan, while Linode (Akamai) does not. If budget is a concern, DigitalOcean lets you get started at no cost.
What is the most popular Linode (Akamai) plan?
The Dedicated CPU 4GB plan is Linode (Akamai)'s most popular tier, priced at $36/mo. Key features include 2 dedicated cores, 4 GB RAM, 80 GB SSD.
Does DigitalOcean or Linode (Akamai) offer custom enterprise pricing?
DigitalOcean offers a custom-priced enterprise tier for larger teams. Linode (Akamai) lists all its pricing publicly.
How do DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai) compare for Hosting & Infra?
Both DigitalOcean and Linode (Akamai) are Hosting & Infra tools. DigitalOcean offers 18 plans starting at $0.15/mo, while Linode (Akamai) offers 4 plans starting at $5/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Hosting & Infra needs.
Sources
- DigitalOcean Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Linode (Akamai) Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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