Why DigitalOcean?
- Clear pricingMonthly caps, no surprise bills
- Cheap entryVirtual machines from $4 a month
- Managed servicesKubernetes, databases, app platform
- GPU DropletsAI infrastructure when you need it
- Great docsThousands of tutorials
- Public companyListed on the NYSE since 2021
Overview
DigitalOcean was founded in 2011 and is listed on the NYSE under DOCN. It built its name on Droplets, simple virtual machines with a clean control panel, and now covers most of what a startup needs: Kubernetes, managed databases, object storage, an app platform and GPUs.
It also owns Cloudways for managed hosting and Paperspace for GPU compute.
Pricing
DigitalOcean starts with a free trial option at $200 credit. The first paid tier, Basic Droplet, costs From $4/mo.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | $200 credit | Valid 60 days for new accounts |
| Basic Droplet | From $4/mo | 1 vCPU, 512MB RAM, 10GB SSD |
| App Platform | From about $5/mo | Free tier for static sites |
| Managed databases | From about $15/mo | Postgres, MySQL, Valkey, MongoDB, Kafka |
| Kubernetes | Nodes billed as Droplets | Free control plane |
Try DigitalOcean for yourself
$200 credit for 60 days for new users.
Key features
- Droplets: Basic, general purpose, CPU- and memory-optimized VMs.
- Kubernetes: Managed clusters with a free control plane.
- App Platform: Deploy from git without managing servers.
- Managed databases: Backups, failover and scaling handled.
- Spaces: S3-compatible storage with a built-in CDN.
- GPU Droplets: NVIDIA GPUs for AI workloads.
What you can build
About 16 data centers in 13 regions across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Simple, predictable pricing
- Low entry price and trial credit
- Excellent documentation
- Enough managed services for most startups
What to watch
- Fewer regions and services than AWS or Google Cloud
- CPU performance behind some rivals at the same price
- Premium support costs extra
- Bandwidth overage beyond pooled allowance
Who it is for
Pick DigitalOcean when you outgrow a one-click platform and want your own servers, databases or Kubernetes without AWS complexity.
Ready to start with DigitalOcean?
DigitalOcean offers virtual machines, Kubernetes, managed databases, app hosting and GPUs with clear monthly prices.
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FAQ
Does DigitalOcean have a free tier?
New accounts get trial credit; static sites on App Platform are free.
What is a Droplet?
A virtual machine you control.
Is DigitalOcean cheaper than AWS?
For small and medium workloads it is usually simpler and cheaper to predict.
Can I run AI models on DigitalOcean?
Yes, with GPU Droplets.
Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Scores follow our published method and are not for sale. Prices and features change often; check the vendor's site before you buy.