Hosting & Infra
DigitalOcean vs UpCloud: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of DigitalOcean and UpCloud. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: DigitalOcean starts at $0.15/mo, making it $3/mo cheaper than UpCloud ($3/mo). DigitalOcean offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated March 16, 2026
DigitalOcean vs UpCloud: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | DigitalOcean | UpCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0.15/mo | $3/mo |
| Number of Plans | 18 | 10 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| 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 UpCloud's $3/mo. Both are Hosting & Infra tools with 28 combined pricing plans and 75 features compared.
Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget.
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 |  UpCloud Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Gradient™ AI Platform $0/month Includes
| Managed Kubernetes Development $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 2 | Gradient™ AI GPU Droplets $2/month Includes
| Managed Load Balancer Essentials $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Additional GPU Options Custom pricing Includes
| NAT and VPN Essentials $0/monthCheapest Includes
|
| Tier 4 | App Platform $0/monthCheapest Includes
| |
| Tier 5 | Droplets $4/monthCheapest Includes
| Managed Databases (1 GB) $8/month $1 / year Includes
|
| Tier 6 | Kubernetes $12/monthCheapest Includes
| File Storage (250 GB) $38/month $3 / year Includes
|
| Tier 7 | Functions $0/monthCheapest Includes
| Managed Object Storage (250 GB) $5/month $0 / year Includes
|
| Tier 8 | Cloudways Managed Hosting $11/monthCheapest Includes
| GPU Server (1 x NVIDIA L40S, 8 cores, 64 GB) $747/month $62 / year Includes
|
| Tier 9 | Backups $20/monthCheapest Includes
| High Memory Plans $2490/month $208 / year Includes
|
| Tier 10 | Databases $15/monthCheapest Includes
| Private Cloud Custom pricing Includes
|
| Tier 11 | Spaces $5/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 12 | Network File Storage $0/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 13 | Volumes $10/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 14 | Container Registry $0/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 15 | Load Balancers $12/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| Tier 16 | Support Plans $0/monthCheapest Includes
| — |
| 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 $2.85/mo lower ($0.15/mo vs $3/mo), offers 18 tiers vs 10.
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 $2.85/mo compared to UpCloud at $3/mo
- •You prefer DigitalOcean's free tier features—Build, deploy and scale apps quickly, Fully managed solution, zero infrastructure management
- •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 31 additional features across its plans
Choose UpCloud if:
- •You prefer UpCloud's free tier features—Up to 30 data plane nodes
- •You prioritize UpCloud's user experience and interface over price (both tools are similarly priced)
- •You prefer UpCloud's usage-based model with its 10-tier structure
Both DigitalOcean and UpCloud offer free plans [1], eliminating cost barriers for evaluation. This means you can test both tools thoroughly with your actual workflows before any financial commitment. The free tiers differ in scope: DigitalOcean includes 3 features, while UpCloud includes 1 features. Evaluate which free tier matches your evaluation needs before deciding to upgrade. Your best approach is to activate both free trials and evaluate which tool's workflow, integrations, and user experience align better with your team's needs before committing to paid plans.
Frequently Asked Questions: DigitalOcean vs UpCloud
Which is cheaper, DigitalOcean or UpCloud?
As of March 2026, DigitalOcean starts at a lower price point. DigitalOcean starts at $0.15/mo while UpCloud starts at $3/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does DigitalOcean have vs UpCloud?
DigitalOcean offers 18 pricing plans, while UpCloud offers 10 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does DigitalOcean or UpCloud offer a free plan?
Yes, both DigitalOcean and UpCloud offer free plans. Compare the feature limits of each free tier to see which better fits your use case before upgrading.
Can I save money by paying annually for DigitalOcean or UpCloud?
Both DigitalOcean and UpCloud offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
Does DigitalOcean or UpCloud offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both DigitalOcean and UpCloud offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
How do DigitalOcean and UpCloud compare for Hosting & Infra?
Both DigitalOcean and UpCloud are Hosting & Infra tools. DigitalOcean offers 18 plans starting at $0.15/mo, while UpCloud offers 10 plans starting at $3/mo. Review the feature breakdowns above to see which better fits your Hosting & Infra needs.
Sources
- DigitalOcean Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- UpCloud Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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