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Software · head to head

Linode vs IBM Cloud

Linode logo

Linode

Software

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM Cloud logo

IBM Cloud

Software

Enterprise cloud solutions from a trusted partner

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Linode linode.com/pricing returns a 301 redirect to akamai.com/cloud/pricing; the service is now sold as Akamai Cloud; IBM Cloud the USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and IBM Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and IBM Cloud differ
AttributeLinodeIBM Cloud
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliLinux, Windows, Api, Cli
Founded20032013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), 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 Linode

  • Compute instances
  • Object storage
  • Block storage
  • Managed database
  • Load balancers
  • Firewalls
  • Private networks
  • Cloud Manager API

Only in IBM Cloud

  • Virtual Servers
  • Bare Metal
  • Cloud Foundry
  • Watson AI
  • Blockchain
  • Databases
  • API Gateway
  • Jenkins

Both cover

  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Ansible
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Linode

  • Running Linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated CPU plansnot IBM Cloud
  • Managed Kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud accountnot IBM Cloud
  • Hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regionsnot IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud

  • Running containerized and VM workloads on IBM's public cloudnot Linode
  • Building on Watson APIs and IBM middleware as managed servicesnot Linode

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

IBM Cloud

  • The USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
  • The larger promotional credits are time boxed: USD 1,000 for Bare Metal Servers for VPC over 120 days, USD 2,500 for Power Virtual Server over 90 days, and USD 5,000 for Backup and Recovery over 90 days
  • The USD 5,000 Backup and Recovery promotion is valid for new clients only and requires a checkout promo code
  • The listed promotions carry an expiry date of 31 December 2026
  • Beyond the free tier the account is pay as you go, so cost tracks usage with no published cap

Pricing, plan by plan

Linode

Free
  • Nanode 1GB$5/month
    • 1GB RAM
    • 1 vCPU
    • 25GB SSD
  • Linode 4GB$20/month
    • 4GB RAM
    • 2 vCPU
    • 80GB SSD

IBM Cloud

Free
  • Lite PlanFree
    • Free services
    • Limited resources
    • 30-day trial
  • Standard PlanFree
    • Pay-as-you-go
    • Enterprise support
    • Advanced services

Which should you pick?

Choose Linode if

  • You need compute instances.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli.
  • You also want object storage.
Linode review

Choose IBM Cloud if

  • You need virtual servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want bare metal.
IBM Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or IBM Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and IBM Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or IBM Cloud?
Linode starts at Free and IBM Cloud at Free.
Does Linode or IBM Cloud run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. IBM Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
Can I use Linode for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Linode best used for?
Linode is most often used for running linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated cpu plans, managed kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud account, hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regions. Of those, running linux virtual machines on hourly billed shared or dedicated cpu plans and managed kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud account are not what IBM Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that IBM Cloud cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Managed database. IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Bare Metal, Cloud Foundry, Watson AI. Both handle Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Docker.
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