“One cannot talk about hosting services and not mention DigitalOcean.” While this is a quote I just made up, it is absolutely true. If you do just a little bit of Googling for hosting providers, I’m sure you end up seeing DigitalOcean’s name at least a couple of times, and rightfully so, DigitalOcean deserves the attention. From its creative Branding in the industry to its cute aquatic YouTube ads, the team behind DigitalOcean knows exactly how to market and sell its products and brand image.
But it’s not all butterflies and dolphins in the Droplets’ world. Sure, DigitalOcean transformed the way we use hosting environments, but many users are now looking for DigitalOcean alternatives, complaining that the company doesn’t meet expectations and promises. If you are on the lookout for the best Droplet alternative, keep reading—your answer is right here.
The Mission Behind DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean was founded in 2011 with a groundbreaking mission: to simplify cloud infrastructure for developers and small businesses. The co-founders behind the company set out to make hosting environments more accessible and easier to use than the DigitalOcean competitors of the time, including AWS (Amazon Web Services).
Throughout its journey, DigitalOcean managed to give a new perspective on hosting services to web and app developers, suppressing AWS, raising funding, and introducing more and more hosting services. So what went wrong?
There’s not just one reason hosting users are looking for DigitalOcean alternatives. Some of these issues have been unattended by DigitalOcean for so long that they are becoming a part of their identity (customer support who?). While it’s inevitable that bugs will happen when providing digital services and that you cannot please everyone, DigitalOcean is recklessly losing customers to other hosting providers.
Why You Should Look for DigitalOcean Alternatives
While, in fact, DigitalOcean’s Droplets, Kubernetes, and other services are useful and high-quality, the following issues are reasons for you to consider DigitalOcean alternatives:
User Experience
DigitalOcean created a pleasantly sized customer base by targeting developers. To do so they designed developer-friendly tools and services. Because of this, DigitalOcean is not quite user-friendly for other types of users. If you are not a developer but need a virtual server, you are better off working with a DigitalOcean alternative.
Scalability Needs
While DigitalOcean also targets small businesses, the company fails to provide the primary need for small businesses: scalability. SMBs (small to medium-sized businesses) are highly sensitive to flexibility. Since they grow quickly, even if the elevation is as simple as increased website traffic, they need a hosting platform that is easy and instant to scale up.
Geographical Availability
DigitalOcean offers a limited number of data center locations. They cover the East Coast and West Coast with 2 data centers in New York and 2 in San Francisco while offering no coverage in the middle regions of the States. The same also happens in Europe as they only offer 3 data centers in the whole continent. This lack of location diversity might create latency and performance issues for users in most regions.
Customer Support
Unfortunately, probably the biggest flaw driving hosting users to DigitalOcean alternatives is their inability to offer post-purchase services as they must. The most common complaints DigitalOcean users have are about the lack of notifications and customer support channels. One user specifically mentioned not getting any notifications prior to their Droplet termination due to a billing issue. On top of that, there is only a ticketing system to reach out to DigitalOcean’s customer support, which usually takes days to get a response back.
No Windows Support
Again, probably due to targeting developers, DigitalOcean does not offer virtual servers with any Windows OS versions. This is a huge issue as not everyone is familiar with Linux-based operating systems. Users who want to have a Windows-based VPS should look for DigitalOcean alternatives because even the most user-friendly Linux distributions, like Ubuntu, are not easy for Windows users to learn or get used to.
Why Cloudzy Is the Best DigitalOcean Alternative
Since 2008, Cloudzy has been offering high-quality virtual private servers. Unlike DigitalOcean, we diversify our product by ensuring anyone who needs a virtual server can use our services. But why is Cloudzy a Digital Ocean alternative?
Location Diversity
Cloudzy offers more than 15 global locations. We have 10 data centers in the USA alone, ensuring all users who need access to the American market can stay in touch with their audience without latency.
We also offer multiple data centers across Europe and in Asia. Our global reach is always expanding as we add more locations to ensure anyone from anywhere can have access to our servers.
Various Features
Cloudzy doesn’t just sell virtual servers. We listen to our customers and always add new features to cover everything our users’ requirements. We offer an unmatchable list of operating systems, from Linux distros to Windows Server versions. Even if your preferred OS is not on our list, we offer the Custom ISO feature for you to upload your own OS ISO file.
Other useful features Cloudzy offers include one-click apps, snapshots, and floating IP addresses. We constantly update and add new features to satisfy all our users’ needs.
Affordable Prices
Cloudzy’s mission from day one was to make virtual computing accessible for anyone, and for that matter, one important decision was to always ensure our services are affordable. Cloudzy’s plans start at only $4.95 a month.
We also offer various payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, to ensure our customers have an easy purchase experience. Our billing method is PAYG (Pay-as-you-go) to make sure users only pay for the resources they accommodate, by the hour, and nothing more.
24/7 Customer Support
Another reason why Cloudzy is the perfect Digital Ocean alternative is that we offer 24/7 customer support and a continuous email reminder system. Our support agents are always online, getting back to you ASAP and guiding you patiently to ensure you never face unsolved issues.
Whatever change you make from the Cloudzy panel will be notified by email. This is a great way to keep track of the history of your experience with Cloudzy. Our email funnel is designed to notify users of upcoming changes, alerts, or warnings to always keep users updated with their account situation.
Scalability and Flexibility
Our servers are great Droplet alternatives because of our scalability system. We offer cloud-based servers that are easily resized. Users can instantly scale their servers up or down right from their panel. Our snapshot system also allows you to have a saved backup of a server when you need to downsize it. This way, you will never lose data due to downsizing.
Anything for Anyone
Cloudzy does not limit its services to one group of users. We have customers using our servers for just about anything. Developers, traders, admins, and even people who just want to surf the internet all have a place with Cloudzy. We even have special programs for SMBs and startups, just to ensure we can give back to the community we once belonged to.
With all said, Cloudzy is one of the best DigitalOcean alternatives by making robust servers and various features accessible to anyone who needs it!
| Features | Cloudzy | DigitalOcean |
| Uptime | 99.95% | 99.99% |
| Customer Support | 24/7 | Limited |
| Scalability Option | Instant resizing | Limited |
| Data Center Locations | 15 Locations | 9 Locations |
| Price Plans | 1GB: $4.95/m 2 GB: $9.95/m 4 GB: $19.95/m 8 GB: $36.95/m 16 GB: $69.95/m |
1GB: $6.00/m 2 GB: $12.00/m 4 GB: $24.00/m 8 GB: $48.00/m 16 GB: $96.00/m |
5 Other Best DigitalOcean Alternatives of 2024
When you google Digital Ocean alternatives, you get numerous results that just list hosting providers. But, to create this list, I tried to be as relevant as possible. I’m going to introduce you to some DigitalOcean competitors, each with their unique advantages.
1. AWS — Best for Comprehensive Services
As a pioneer in the hosting industry, AWS Lightsail provides services similar to DigitalOcean. Its service is a DigitalOcean Droplet alternative since its primary audience is developers, for whom it offers a simple and user-friendly VPS solution. The service includes a set of easy-to-use tools and services for deploying and managing applications.
Pros:
- Simplified interface and management
- Features include managed databases, load balancers, and block storage
- Easy integration with other AWS services
Cons:
- Higher costs compared to other Digital Ocean alternatives
- Not user-friendly for hosting beginners
- Limited plans and customization options
AWS is one of the most popular cloud service providers; however, it may not be the best fit for everyone. We have curated a list of the best AWS alternatives in our blog post—make sure to check it out.
2. Google Cloud — Best for Big Data and Machine Learning
Google Cloud Platform, GCP, is one of the best DigitalOcean alternatives, offering high-performance virtual servers. The biggest benefit of working with GCP is the advanced data analytics and machine learning capabilities, and also integration with other Google Cloud services. Although beneficial, this approach also makes GCP inaccessible for beginners in the industry, or people who simply need a virtual server.
Pros:
- Superior data analytics and machine learning services
- Competitive pricing with sustained use discounts
- High performance and scalability
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for new users
- Less intuitive interface compared to other Digital Ocean alternatives
- Limited data center locations
3. Vultr — Best for Simple Cloud Hosting
Vultr is another really good Digital Ocean alternative. The company offers high-performance VPS solutions with fast deployment times and a wide range of configurations. The only downside is that Vultr also does not offer a user-friendly experience for users outside of the developers’ market. So far so that even the purchase experience from their website is a confusing job. Explore our Vultr Alternatives post to see what else is out there waiting for you.
Pros:
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Wide range of VM types and configurations
- Fast deployment and reliable performance
Cons:
- Fewer advanced features compared to other Digital Ocean alternatives
- Limited data center locations
- Extra charge for professional customer support
4. Kamatera — Best for Customizable VPS Solutions
Kamatera, another one of our best DigitalOcean alternatives, is known for offering highly customizable VPS services. They also offer a good number of data center locations to cover as many user regions as possible. The customization unfortunately comes with a price; Kamatera is on the more expensive end of our DigitalOcean competitors list.
Pros:
- Highly customizable server configurations
- Wide range of data center locations
- Scalable resources and PAYG billing system
Cons:
- Complex to set up for beginners
- Pricing can become high with extensive customization
- Less extensive documentation compared to DigitalOcean
5. OVHcloud — Best for Affordable Prices
Our last DigitalOcean alternative is OVHCloud, known for offering affordable VPS plans with high performance. OVHCloud is certainly a better option than DigitalOcean for cost-effective virtual servers. One downside of working with OVHCloud is that the company’s focus is on providing services in Europe.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- High-performance hardware
- Wide range of VPS configurations
Cons:
- Limited global presence, primarily focused in Europe
- Customer support can be less responsive
- Interface and user experience can be less intuitive
For an in-depth evaluation of OVHCloud and its features, check out our blog post that discusses OVH alternatives. It will provide you with valuable insights on the matter.
How to Choose the Best DigitalOcean Alternative
Choosing a DigitalOcean Droplet alternative can get quite confusing because it’s mostly a decision made by gathering a lot of information. In order to make this easy for you, I’m going to walk you through some factors to consider when looking up DigitalOcean alternatives’ websites.
Know Your Requirements
Before starting to compare the providers, you need to know what exactly you are looking for. Do you need a VPS or a cloud server? Is scalability an important factor for you? What payment methods are you comfortable with? How much are you willing to pay for the service?
These are just some of the questions you should answer before diving into the industry. To wrap your head around your basic requirements, consider the following key characteristics:
- Type of hosting service
- Server region/location
- Payment method and billing system
- Expected traffic/scalability requirements
- Specific features/add-on requirements
Performance and Reliability
In order to check the performance and overall reliability of a DigitalOcean Droplet alternative, look for a high uptime guarantee, low latency, and fast data processing/transfer capabilities. Another factor that can help you decide is having a global presence, so also check if the provider offers data center locations that are strategic for targeting your audience.
Pricing Plans, Models, System
As you can guess from the list above, DigitalOcean alternatives offer different pricing plans and costs. Before going into more details, screen pricing plans in each website to get a better grapes of which potential alternative fits your budget. You can also consider factors like monthly payments or PAYG billing, additional costs for features, and whether there are any hidden fees.
Customer Support System
If you are one of those users exhausted from DigitalOcean’s weak customer support system, then finding an alternative with a reliable support team should be your top priority. Look for providers who offer 24/7 availability, multiple contact methods, or both. Documentation and knowledgebase availability can also help you in times when customer support is not urgently accessible.
Scalability and Flexibility
Depending on whether or not you may need more/less resources in the future, look for DigitalOcean alternatives that are flexible with resizing and offer instant scalability. Some key elements you should consider are being able to easily scale plans up or down, flexibility to add services like snapshots, and migration between servers if needed.
[rh-cta-cloud type=”2″ ]Cloudzy — The Most Accessible DigitalOcean Alternative
To sum up our journey with the best DigitalOcean alternatives, you now know what weaknesses make users look for DigitalOcean alternatives, have a list of the best alternatives and hosting providers, as well as how to choose the most suitable one for you.
Cloudzy is an all-in-one alternative to DigitalOcean and an overall great hosting provider for users with any experience and virtual computing requirements. Working with Cloudzy offers a team that roots for your success and is always available to answer your questions. Plus, with Cloudzy, you never have to worry about emptying your pockets on hosting services!
If you’re looking for an alternative to DigitalOceans managed service, we also have a guide on choosing the best Cloudways alternatives. Cloudways provides managed cloud hosting servers, acting as an intermediary between providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and DigitalOcean.
FAQ
Is DigitalOcean still good?
There’s no doubt that DigitalOcean is still one of the best hosting providers in the industry. The issue with DigitalOcean is its limitations and lack of availability and accessibility. They only offer developer-friendly services and are almost non-responsive with their customer support system. There’s also the issue of scalability and flexibility issues. If you can adapt to these issues, DigitalOcean can provide high-quality services for you.
Is AWS more expensive than DigitalOcean?
To some level, yes. They both have similarities in their pricing models, but DigitalOcean is more clear on the expenses required for their services.
Which provider is the best DigitalOcean alternative?
Overall, Cloudzy is the best DigitalOcean alternative, covering all the issues DigitalOcean users face with benefits and features. 24/7 customer support availability, scalable plans, and affordable prices are some of the reasons why Cloudzy is a great Digital Ocean alternative.
