Software · head to head
Hetzner Cloud vs Linode
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; Linode linode.com/pricing returns a 301 redirect to akamai.com/cloud/pricing; the service is now sold as Akamai Cloud
- They diverge on capability: Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Linode covers Compute instances.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and Linode actually diverge.
| Attribute | Hetzner Cloud | Linode |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 | 2003 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, Api, Cli), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Hetzner Cloud
- Cloud servers
- Networks
- Floating IPs
- Backups
- API
- Cli support
Only in Linode
- Compute instances
- Managed database
- Cloud Manager API
- SSL/TLS
Both cover
- Block storage
- Object storage
- Load balancers
- Firewalls
- Terraform
- Ansible
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Firewall
- DDoS protection
- Private networks
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Api support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Hetzner Cloud
- Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot Linode
- European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot Linode
- Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot Linode
- Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot Linode
Linode
- Running Linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated CPU plansnot Hetzner Cloud
- Managed Kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud accountnot Hetzner Cloud
- Hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regionsnot Hetzner Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Hetzner Cloud
- Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
- The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
- Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
- The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
- Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel
Linode
- linode.com/pricing returns a 301 redirect to akamai.com/cloud/pricing; the service is now sold as Akamai Cloud
- Charges accrue for any service on the account even when it is powered off, because RAM and network capacity stay reserved; only deleting the service stops billing
- Network transfer beyond the monthly allotment is billed from $0.005 per GB and the rate varies by region
- The Akamai Cloud pricing landing page shows no rates and directs visitors to regional pricing pages or sales
Pricing, plan by plan
Hetzner Cloud
Free- CX11$3.29/month
- 1 vCPU
- 1GB RAM
- 25GB SSD
- CX21$6.59/month
- 2 vCPU
- 4GB RAM
- 40GB SSD
Linode
Free- Nanode 1GB$5/month
- 1GB RAM
- 1 vCPU
- 25GB SSD
- Linode 4GB$20/month
- 4GB RAM
- 2 vCPU
- 80GB SSD
Which should you pick?
Choose Hetzner Cloud if
- You need cloud servers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api, Cli.
- You also want networks.
Choose Linode if
- You need compute instances.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api, Cli.
- You also want managed database.
Questions people ask
- Is Hetzner Cloud or Linode better?
- Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Linode at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or Linode?
- Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Linode at Free.
- Does Hetzner Cloud or Linode run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Api, Cli, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
- Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what Linode is typically brought in for.
- What can Hetzner Cloud do that Linode cannot?
- Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Networks, Floating IPs, Backups. Linode covers Compute instances, Managed database, Cloud Manager API, SSL/TLS. Both handle Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers, Firewalls.