Hetzner vs DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai)
Compare these providers side by side, then jump into workload pages where the same pair overlaps on Docker, WordPress, databases, and other specific use cases.
| Feature |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.51/month Best Price | $6.00/month | $5.00/month |
| Entry Plan Specs | 2 vCPU 4GB RAM 40GB NVME | 1 vCPU 1GB RAM 25GB SSD | 1 vCPU 1GB RAM 25GB SSD |
| CPU Score (Single) | 1,245 Fastest | 1,120 | 1,150 |
| Disk Read Speed | 1,850MB/s Fastest | 580MB/s | 540MB/s |
| Network Throughput | 9,800Mbps Fastest | 4,800Mbps | 4,500Mbps |
| Boot Time | 18.5seconds Quickest | 32.4seconds | 35.8seconds |
| Datacenter Regions | 4 locations | 8 locations | 10 locations |
| Hourly Billing | |||
| Support | ticket email phone | ticket email community | ticket email phone chat |
| Get Started | Visit Hetzner | Visit DigitalOcean | Visit Linode (Akamai) |
Compare These Providers by Workload
Hetzner vs DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai) for Node.js
Affordable VPS options with good CPU performance for running Node.js applications.
Open comparison
Hetzner vs DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai) for Databases
High I/O performance VPS ideal for running PostgreSQL, MySQL, or other databases.
Open comparison
Hetzner vs DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai) for Best Linux VPS
Top Linux VPS providers supporting Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and other distributions.
Open comparison
Hetzner vs DigitalOcean vs Linode (Akamai) for Developers
Developer-friendly VPS with good APIs, CLI tools, and documentation.
Open comparison
Analysis
Hetzner
German hosting provider known for exceptional price-to-performance ratio. Popular choice among developers and self-hosters for their reliable infrastructure and transparent pricing.
Starting plan: $4.51/mo
CPU score: 1245
Disk read: 1850 MB/s
DigitalOcean
Developer-focused cloud platform with excellent documentation and a simple, intuitive interface. Known for pioneering the $5 Droplet and making cloud hosting accessible.
Starting plan: $6.00/mo
CPU score: 1120
Disk read: 580 MB/s
Linode (Akamai)
One of the original cloud VPS providers, now owned by Akamai. Known for reliability, excellent support, and competitive pricing on compute resources.
Starting plan: $5.00/mo
CPU score: 1150
Disk read: 540 MB/s
Related Comparisons
FAQ
Which provider is cheaper: Hetzner or DigitalOcean?
Use the comparison table to check the cheapest entry plans first, then move to the workload-specific pages if you need minimum RAM, CPU, or storage filters.
Should I use the generic comparison or a workload comparison?
Use the generic comparison when you are still narrowing providers down broadly. Use the workload pages once you know the app or use case you care about.
Are these comparisons based on live benchmark data?
They are based on the current repository dataset, with the latest benchmark snapshot dated Mar 2, 2026.