If you’re exploring cloud hosting services, chances are you’ve come across Linode. They’re known for their SSD-powered virtual machines and global network of data centers, which are popular among developers and businesses that need flexible infrastructure.
Yet, despite its strengths, Linode may not fit everyone’s requirements. Some users find its pricing structure less competitive for their budget, while others seek more robust support options or easier management interfaces. These factors led many to consider alternative cloud hosting providers that aligned better with their needs and priorities.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of alternatives to consider.
Why look for Linode alternatives?
Pricing
Linode offers competitive pricing, but it might not be the most cost-effective option for everyone. Some other providers allow you to pay only for the resources you use, which can save you money. With Linode, you might pay for a server that’s too powerful for your needs or for features you don’t use.
Also, Linode charges extra for backups, so your total costs could be higher compared to other providers that include backups in their standard plans.
Customer support
Linode’s customer support provides help through email tickets, tutorials, and a knowledge base, but they don’t offer instant live chat support. This can be an issue if you need quick answers to urgent problems.
Additionally, Linode only provides support for Linux-based systems.
Ease of use
Linode offers full control over your cloud servers, which might be overwhelming for some users, especially those without advanced technical skills or those who prefer a more straightforward approach. Some alternatives provide more user-friendly interfaces and simpler management tools.
Best Linode alternatives in 2024
When looking for alternatives to Linode hosting, your best choice will depend on your budget, technical skills, and goals. These 13 providers offer different options that cater to various needs and growth goals for website owners.
Here’s an overview of each option to help you choose the right hosting solution for your business.
Bluehost
Bluehost is a customer-focused website solution provider recommended by WordPress. It serves over two million websites and offers reliable services that are suitable for both beginners and businesses looking to grow.
Bluehost features an AI Site Creator that simplifies WordPress by generating a website for you in a few easy steps. This tool makes it easier to get started with your website. If you need help with website design, Bluehost provides professional web design services. Additionally, they offer digital marketing services, such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and PPC (Pay-Per-Click).
While Bluehost is widely recognized for its user-friendly WordPress hosting solutions, it also provides cloud hosting options with a 100% uptime guarantee. Beyond its cloud and WordPress hosting, Bluehost supports a variety of hosting needs with shared, dedicated, and VPS hosting solutions. Each plan comes with a free domain and SSL for the first year.
For security, Bluehost includes features such as free SSL certificates, automatic daily backups, malware detection and removal, and secure Shell (SSH) access.
Key platform highlights
- Specialization in WordPress: Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org and offers optimized hosting for WordPress.
- Easy setup, beginner-friendly: Bluehost’s AI-powered Wondersuite helps you quickly set up a WordPress website. All their tools are designed to be simple for beginners to use, including the user-friendly dashboard.
- Great speed and uptime: Bluehost is reliable with high uptime, meaning your website will be online almost all the time. It also has fast response times, so your site loads quickly for visitors.
- eCommerce features. Bluehost offers hosting designed for small businesses to start selling online quickly with customizable checkout options.
Web.com
Web.com is an alternative to Linode that offers several options for establishing an online presence. It provides web hosting solutions with a user-friendly interface, an AI-powered website builder for creating websites, and professional services for design and marketing.
Web.com also offers an AI writer for content creation, an AI domain generator to help find suitable domain names, and an AI logo builder for designing professional logos.
In addition to hosting and professional services, Web.com provides extra features such as website security, professional email, and online marketing tools. It also offers domain services, including registration and management, which helps businesses maintain their online presence. Some packages include a free domain name and SSL certificate.
In terms of pricing, Web.com provides competitive rates with various plans available to choose from.
Key platform highlights
- AI tools: Web.com includes AI-powered tools for website creation, content writing, domain name generation, and logo design.
- All-in-one service: Web.com integrates domain registration, hosting services, and website-building tools into a single platform.
- Competitive pricing for beginners: Web.com offers cost-effective hosting plans tailored for beginners.
Domain.com
Domain.com offers a user-friendly interface and tools for registering new domains, transferring existing ones, and managing multiple domains. This focus on domain management may make Domain.com a preferable option over Linode, which doesn’t emphasize these features as prominently.
Their shared hosting plans start at $3.75 per month, which is cheaper than Linode. Shared hosting is useful when starting out with your website.
Key platform highlights
- Integrated website builder: Domain.com includes a website builder tool that simplifies the process of creating and managing your website, which Linode does not provide as part of its services.
- Dedicated customer support: Domain.com offers dedicated customer support available 24/7, ensuring assistance is readily accessible whenever needed. Linode may not offer as robust or dedicated support services.
HostGator
HostGator is a widely recognized option for web hosting, providing a variety of services to meet different needs. The platform offers several types of hosting, including shared, WordPress, eCommerce, dedicated, VPS, and reseller hosting. This range of options allows users to select a plan that best fits their requirements, whether they are managing a personal blog or a large eCommerce site.
In addition to its hosting services, HostGator also supports website development and online marketing through its professional services. These include web design, PPC advertising, and SEO. Such services can help users enhance their website’s appearance and improve its visibility online.
HostGator also offers 24/7 customer support to assist with any issues that may arise. New hosting plans come with a free domain and SSL certificate for the first year, which can help with website security and branding. The company guarantees a 99.9% uptime and provides a 45-day money-back guarantee if users are not satisfied with their service.
Key platform highlights
- Cost-effective: HostGator offers affordable starting prices. This makes it accessible for budget-conscious users to get online.
- User-friendly website builder: HostGator’s drag-and-drop tool is super user-friendly, even if you’re new to building websites.
- eCommerce capabilities: Advanced pricing plans with HostGator’s website builder provide comprehensive features for setting up online stores, including inventory management and payment gateways.
DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is known for its user-friendly approach to cloud hosting. It offers virtual servers called Droplets that you can quickly spin up and customize to fit your needs. They use SSD storage for faster performance and have data centers globally, which means your applications can run closer to your users for better speed.
Key platform highlights
- Developer-friendly platform: DigitalOcean is designed to be intuitive. Whether you’re new to cloud hosting or a seasoned developer, their interface makes it simple to manage your servers and applications without any unnecessary complexity.
- Predictable pricing: They offer transparent, flat-rate pricing across all their services, which is excellent for budgeting and avoiding surprises on your bill.
- Community and documentation: DigitalOcean has a thriving community of developers who share insights and offer help.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft’s cloud service tailored for developing, testing, deploying, and managing applications across their global data centers. It integrates smoothly with Microsoft software and supports various programming languages and tools, both Microsoft-specific and third-party.
While Azure is renowned for its enterprise-friendly capabilities, it can pose a learning curve for those less familiar with Microsoft’s ecosystem. Some users also find Azure to be on the pricier side, with potential hidden costs.
Key platform highlights
- Diverse range of services: Azure offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services beyond basic virtual servers.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft products: Azure integrates smoothly with Microsoft’s ecosystem, including Office 365 and Dynamics 365.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a robust and widely-used cloud platform that offers a comprehensive range of services including computing power, storage solutions, and networking capabilities. It supports a wide variety of applications, from basic websites and mobile apps to complex enterprise systems.
AWS is known for its flexibility, scalability, and pay-as-you-go pricing model, which allows users to adjust resources based on their needs and pay only for what they use. However, its complex interface and pricing structure can be challenging for new users and small businesses with limited budgets.
Key platform highlights
- Comprehensive service offering: AWS offers a variety of cloud services beyond basic servers, including AI and machine learning tools, databases, IoT services, and more.
- Global infrastructure and scalability: AWS has data centers spread globally, which helps in deploying your applications closer to your users for faster performance.
IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud provides a range of cloud computing services that combine platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS), including AI capabilities from IBM’s Watson. It’s tailored for enterprise clients with a strong emphasis on data and application security, as well as hybrid cloud solutions.
However, using IBM Cloud may be more complex compared to its competitors. Designed primarily for larger businesses, IBM Cloud may not offer the same user-friendly experience for smaller businesses or startups exploring cloud solutions.
Key platform highlights
- Enterprise-focused solutions: IBM Cloud is tailored for enterprise needs, offering robust solutions for large-scale applications and complex IT environments.
- Advanced AI capabilities: IBM Cloud integrates AI capabilities from Watson, providing powerful tools for data analysis, machine learning, and cognitive computing.
Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud is the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group. It offers a full range of services like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud, including computing, databases, and storage solutions. One of its key strengths is competitive pricing and tight integration within the Alibaba ecosystem, which can enhance operational efficiency for existing Alibaba users.
However, Alibaba Cloud’s primary focus is on the Asian market. This regional emphasis may present limitations for global enterprises seeking extensive international coverage compared to cloud providers with a broader global reach.
Key platform highlights
- Wide range of services: Alibaba Cloud offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services, including computing, databases, and storage solutions that caters to various business requirements.
- Competitive pricing: Alibaba Cloud provides competitive pricing options, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses aiming to manage their cloud expenditures efficiently.
OVHcloud
OVHcloud is a cloud provider that offers a variety of internet infrastructure services, such as dedicated servers, shared hosting, and cloud computing. They focus primarily on serving the European market, tailoring their services to meet regional needs and preferences.
If you prioritize data security and compliance, OVHcloud stands out with its strong emphasis on these aspects.
Key platform highlights
- Global data center presence: OVHcloud has a wider global footprint with data centers in multiple regions.
- Dedicated servers and hosting solutions: OVHcloud specializes in dedicated servers and a range of hosting solutions.
Scaleway
Scaleway is a cloud provider based in Europe, offering various cloud services like virtual machines, object storage, and managed Kubernetes. They’re popular for being easy to use and affordable, which appeals a lot to startups and smaller businesses.
However, because Scaleway is smaller and has fewer data centers worldwide, it may not be the best fit for larger organizations needing extensive coverage or dealing with high volumes of traffic spread across different regions.
Key platform highlights
- Competitive pricing: Scaleway is known for its cost-effective pricing, making it attractive for startups and small to medium-sized businesses looking to optimize their cloud infrastructure costs.
- European data sovereignty: Being a European cloud provider, Scaleway adheres to strict EU data protection regulations. This is reassuring for businesses that prioritize keeping their data secure and compliant within the EU.
Hetzner
Hetzner is a German company known for its direct and affordable approach to data center operations and cloud hosting. They emphasize reliability and competitive pricing, which attract tech-savvy individuals and smaller businesses seeking straightforward solutions. However, Hetzner’s services are more limited in terms of global reach and advanced features compared to larger cloud providers.
Key platform highlights
- Competitive pricing: Hetzner is known for its cost-effective pricing, making it a budget-friendly option for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses looking to minimize their hosting expenses.
- Straightforward approach: Hetzner offers a simple and user-friendly experience, which appeals to customers who prefer a no-frills approach without unnecessary complexities.
UpCloud
Based in Finland, UpCloud focuses on providing reliable and scalable cloud computing solutions to businesses and developers worldwide. Its platforms allow users to deploy and manage virtual servers (instances) with flexibility in configuring CPU, memory, storage, and networking resources.
However, it may not offer as extensive a range of managed services or integrated applications compared to other providers.
Key platform highlights
- High performance: UpCloud emphasizes high-performance cloud infrastructure with fast SSD storage and optimized virtual machines.
- Flexible pricing: UpCloud offers flexible pricing models, including hourly billing.
When to switch to a Linode alternative
When considering a switch from Linode, you need to think about what aspects are most important for your website’s success.
Here are some key reasons why you might consider a different platform.
When you need an all-in-one hosting solution
If you require a hosting provider that offers a comprehensive range of services, an all-in-one solution might be beneficial. This type of provider typically offers integrated services such as web hosting, domain registration, and email hosting. Instead of dealing with multiple providers and separate accounts, you can handle everything conveniently on a single platform. This approach not only saves time but also ensures that all your website essentials work seamlessly together.
When you’re not tech-savvy
If you’re not very familiar with technical tasks like configuring servers or applying updates, you might prefer a hosting provider that offers managed services. Unlike Linode, which is designed for users who handle these technical details themselves, some providers handle these tasks for you. This includes managing server maintenance, applying security updates, and performing backups, so you don’t have to worry about them.
When you want seamless WordPress integration
If you prioritize WordPress hosting, Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org for its seamless integration. Bluehost simplifies WordPress management with automatic installation, updates, and a specialized dashboard. Whether you’re a blogger, business owner, or developer, Bluehost ensures a hassle-free WordPress experience so you can focus on creating content and growing your website.
When you need comprehensive website design services
Creating a professional website requires expertise in design and functionality, which Linode does not provide. Bluehost provides web design services that allow you to collaborate with expert designers. From custom layouts to responsive designs, Bluehost ensures your website meets your vision and business needs, allowing you to stand out online effectively.
Final thoughts: Top Linode alternatives to try in 2024
Besides Linode, there are other cloud hosting solutions that cater to diverse needs and preferences. For instance, DigitalOcean is renowned for its developer-friendly platform and simplicity in managing cloud infrastructure. AWS (Amazon Web Services), on the other hand, offers a wide range of services and global scalability.
When considering a comprehensive solution that seamlessly integrates cloud hosting with robust website management tools, Bluehost is a notable option. Bluehost provides reliable cloud hosting services along with built-in eCommerce functionality, marketing tools, and a free domain name, all of which are helpful for establishing and scaling your online presence.
Bluehost also offers professional web design services to ensure your website not only looks great but also functions seamlessly across devices.
Have any questions? Contact our support team today—they’re ready to help you every step of the way.