10 best DigitalOcean alternatives in 2025 for developers and teams

You probably already know that DigitalOcean is positioned as a developer-friendly cloud platform that gives you a user-friendly alternative to major providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. You might still be looking for a DigitalOcean alternative because of feature limitations, scalability concerns, or pricing factors.

With global cloud infrastructure spending reaching $321.3 billion in 2024 and AI-driven workloads increasing, infrastructure costs are likely rising, too. So, it’s no surprise that many businesses are rethinking their cloud providers to find solutions that better fit their performance needs and budget.

If that’s you, we’ve got you covered. We’ll walk you through the best DigitalOcean alternatives in 2025, covering their key features, pricing, and ideal use cases so that you can find the right fit for your needs.

There are many reasons you might be looking into a DigitalOcean alternative. You could be searching for better pricing, more reliable support, or more advanced cloud features. Some providers deliver more scalable infrastructure, broader service integrations, or different pricing structures that may better suit your needs. Let’s go over some key areas where other providers compare.

If you need a simple and cost-effective Kubernetes solution, you could go for DigitalOcean Kubernetes (DOKS). Later, if you decide, “Hey! I need more advanced features like multi-cluster networking, automatic node repair, and so on…” you might find out that DOKS’ capabilities are limited compared to those of other providers like Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE).

DigitalOcean provides basic CI/CD functionality through its App Platform, which allows you to deploy applications directly from Git repositories. On the other hand, if you need more control over pipeline customization, advanced deployment strategies, or integrations with a broader CI/CD ecosystem, you may need to rely on external tools like GitLab CI/CD or CircleCI.

With DigitalOcean, you can access monitoring and log analysis through its Managed OpenSearch and the Monitoring service, which help you track resource usage and system events. If you need cross-cluster observability, distributed tracing, or predictive analysis, you may still need third-party tools like Datadog or Prometheus.

Even though DigitalOcean provides autoscaling, you might run into limitations with multi-cluster management and enterprise-grade networking, such as private connectivity and advanced traffic routing. If your infrastructure needs way more flexibility in scaling across regions or handling complex networking setups, other providers may give you better options.

DigitalOcean is known as a platform for individual developers and small businesses, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. It supports some level of Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) through VPC networking and VPN connections, which allow you to connect your private infrastructure to DigitalOcean resources.

However, it doesn't provide a fully integrated hybrid cloud solution like AWS Outposts or Google Anthos. If you need closer on-prem and cloud integration with centralized management, you may need a provider with better hybrid cloud capabilities.

We’ve gone over why you might be looking for a DigitalOcean alternative. Now, let’s compare the best options available in 2025. You’ll see what each platform provides, how it stacks up against DigitalOcean, and when it might be the right choice for you.

If you need a developer-first cloud platform that simplifies CI/CD, Kubernetes, and multi-cloud deployments, Northflank is built for you. Unlike DigitalOcean, it supports Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC), so you’re not locked into a single provider.

You get automated deployments, managed Kubernetes, and a developer experience designed to remove complexity, so you don’t need to have DevOps expertise to scale your applications.

Why choose it?

• CI/CD is built-in, you push your code, and it deploys automatically.
• Managed Kubernetes without operational overhead.
• BYOC support for multi-cloud flexibility (DigitalOcean doesn’t offer this).
• Fast setup, you can deploy production-ready apps in minutes.

Best if you want
A simplified but scalable way to handle CI/CD, Kubernetes, and multi-cloud deployments without spending hours managing infrastructure.

See how to send logs to DigitalOcean spaces from Northflank

If you’re looking for a reliable VPS provider with predictable pricing and consistent performance, Linode (now Akamai Cloud) is a viable alternative to DigitalOcean. It gives you more control over networking and better customer support options without paying extra for premium plans.

Why choose it?

• Flat, transparent pricing with no surprises.
• Free DDoS protection is included by default.
• VLAN support for private networking between instances.

Best if you want
A cost-effective VPS with easy networking configuration and no hidden fees.

If performance and global reach are what you need, Vultr gives you more compute options than DigitalOcean. You can choose from standard, high-frequency, and bare metal instances, which are ideal for workloads that need low latency and fast processing power.

Why choose it?

• More global data centers, 30+ locations.
• High-frequency compute instances for better performance.
• Hourly or monthly billing for flexible pricing.

Best if you want
A wider choice of compute options with better performance tuning than standard VPS providers.

If you need enterprise-grade infrastructure, AWS provides scalability, reliability, and feature depth. Compared to DigitalOcean, AWS provides more networking, storage, and computing services, but it comes with a steeper learning curve and less predictable pricing.

Why choose it?

• Massive ecosystem of cloud services.
• More scalability for high-traffic applications.
• Advanced security and compliance features.

Best if you want
A fully scalable cloud with enterprise-level features and custom configurations.

If you’re building Kubernetes-heavy applications or need AI/ML tools, Google Cloud has some of the best options. Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is more advanced than DigitalOcean Kubernetes, and GCP’s networking stack is built for high-speed, global workloads.

Why choose it?

• Best-in-class Kubernetes (GKE) for container orchestration.
• Provides networking and security tools.
• Advanced AI/ML services for data-driven applications.

Best if you want
A reliable Kubernetes cloud or high-performance networking for distributed applications.

If you’re running Windows-based workloads, Azure is an obvious choice. It integrates tightly with Windows Server, Active Directory, and SQL Server, making it ideal for hybrid cloud setups that need enterprise compliance.

Why choose it?

• Best hybrid cloud support for on-prem and cloud integration.
• Provides enterprise security and compliance tools.
• Optimized for Windows-based services.

Best if you want
A hybrid cloud solution with extensive Microsoft ecosystem support.

If cost is your priority, Hetzner provides some of the most affordable cloud and dedicated hosting solutions in Europe. It provides VPS hosting at a fraction of DigitalOcean’s pricing, though it has fewer global data center locations.

Why choose it?

• Lower pricing than most cloud providers.
• High-performance dedicated servers at competitive rates.
• Simple but powerful VPS hosting.

Best if you want
An affordable cloud VPS with high-performance hardware.

Kamatera gives you full control over your cloud infrastructure, letting you customize every aspect of your VPS instance. Unlike DigitalOcean’s fixed plans, you can configure CPU, RAM, and storage exactly how you need it.

Why choose it?

• Fully customizable VPS instances.
• Pay-per-minute pricing for cost flexibility.
• More enterprise cloud options than DigitalOcean.

Best if you want
A custom VPS solution with flexible billing and high scalability.

Cloudways is a managed cloud hosting service that simplifies server management. Instead of hosting its own infrastructure, it lets you deploy on DigitalOcean, AWS, or GCP while handling all the server management for you.

Why choose it?

• Fully managed hosting, no need to manage servers.
• Easy deployment on multiple cloud providers.
• Built-in security optimizations.

Best if you want
A stress-free way to run cloud servers without managing the infrastructure yourself.

Render is a developer-friendly cloud designed for fast deployment of web apps, APIs, and background jobs. It competes with DigitalOcean by offering built-in autoscaling, free DDoS protection, and an intuitive setup.

Why choose it?

• Automated scaling with minimal config.
• Free static site hosting and DDoS protection.
• Simple pricing for developers.

Best if you want
A simple cloud hosting platform for web apps, APIs, and microservices.

Finding the right alternative depends on what matters most for your workload. If you need predictable pricing and a straightforward developer experience, platforms like Linode or Vultr might be a better fit. For those handling enterprise-scale applications with complex networking needs, AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure provide more flexibility.

Key factors to look out for:

• Performance: Look at compute power, storage speed, and global network reach.
• Pricing: Some providers have transparent flat-rate pricing, while others charge for bandwidth and additional services.
• Support: If you need hands-on assistance, compare the quality and availability of customer support.
• Scalability: Think about how easily you can scale workloads through managed Kubernetes, auto-scaling instances, or multi-cloud setups.

If your priority is developer-friendly automation with CI/CD, Kubernetes, and multi-cloud support, Northflank is a compelling alternative.

Switching cloud providers involves planning and execution to avoid downtime and data loss. The key steps include:

1. Assess your current setup: List the services, databases, and configurations you rely on.
2. Choose your new provider: Match your needs with an alternative that offers similar or better features.
3. Set up the new environment: Configure servers, databases, networking, and security settings before moving workloads.
4. Migrate your data: Use backup snapshots, data export/import, or migration tools supported by your new provider.
5. Test and validate: Before switching fully, run tests to ensure applications function as expected.
6. Update DNS and cut over: Once everything is stable, switch your domain settings to point to the new provider.

Let's look at some challenges you might encounter when migrating from DigitalOcean and how to handle them:

• Downtime concerns: Minimize risk by running workloads on both platforms during migration.
• Configuration differences: Some services (like databases or networking) might need adjustments to work properly.
• Cost considerations: Understand pricing structures, especially for bandwidth and outbound data transfer.

What is better than DigitalOcean?

It depends on your needs. If you want more control over pricing, Linode and Vultr offer competitive plans. If you need advanced scalability and global reach, AWS, GCP, and Azure are better options. Pro tip: Northflank's Bring Your Own Cloud offering enables you to unlock the full performance and reliability of major cloud providers without the complexity of managing infrastructure on those clouds.

Who competes with DigitalOcean?

Alternatives include Northflank, Linode, Vultr, AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Hetzner, Kamatera, Cloudways, and Render.

Is DigitalOcean better than AWS?

AWS provides more services, scalability, and global infrastructure, while DigitalOcean is easier to use and has simpler pricing. AWS is better for enterprise needs, while DigitalOcean is ideal for small to mid-sized projects.

How much does DigitalOcean cost?

Pricing starts at $4 per month for basic droplets. Costs increase based on compute power, storage, and bandwidth usage.

What are some free alternatives to DigitalOcean?

Northflank offers a free plan for developers to test and deploy projects. Other platforms may provide free tiers with limited resources, like AWS Free Tier and Google Cloud's Always Free services.

Is DigitalOcean good for web hosting?

Yes, but it’s better suited for developers managing their own infrastructure. If you want managed hosting, Cloudways (which runs on DigitalOcean) provides an easier option.

The best DigitalOcean alternative depends on what you need most, such as affordable pricing, scalability, automation, or developer experience.

If you're looking for a simpler alternative for CI/CD and Kubernetes, Northflank is a great option. For an affordable VPS, Linode, Hetzner, and Kamatera offer cost-effective choices. If you need enterprise-level scalability, AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure provide extensive cloud solutions.

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