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Linode vs OVHcloud

Linode logo

Linode

Cloud

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OVHcloud logo

OVHcloud

Cloud

Advanced cloud services for businesses

From
€3.5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Linode has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; OVHcloud public Cloud pricing table lists a scheduled price change with a column labeled Price on April 1, 2026, showing current rates are promotional and set to change on that date
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, OVHcloud covers Public Cloud.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and OVHcloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and OVHcloud differ
AttributeLinodeOVHcloud
Starting priceFree€3.5/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliLinux, Windows, Api, Cli
Founded20031999

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cloud).

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 OVHcloud

  • Public Cloud
  • Private Cloud
  • Bare Metal Servers
  • Managed Kubernetes
  • Object Storage
  • Block Storage
  • Load Balancers
  • Databases

Both cover

  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Ansible
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • DDoS protection
  • Firewall
  • 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 OVHcloud
  • Managed Kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud accountnot OVHcloud
  • Hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regionsnot OVHcloud

OVHcloud

  • Managed Kubernetes container orchestration for cloud-native applicationsnot Linode
  • Virtual machine instances with customizable CPU, RAM, and IOPSnot Linode
  • Object storage with S3-compatible API for scalable data archivalnot Linode
  • Managed databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, and ClickHousenot Linode
  • Private network connectivity with vRack for multi-AZ isolationnot 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

OVHcloud

  • Public Cloud pricing table lists a scheduled price change with a column labeled Price on April 1, 2026, showing current rates are promotional and set to change on that date
  • Free network traffic and free Object Storage API calls exclude the Asia-Pacific region

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

OVHcloud

€3.5/month
  • Public Cloud Starter$3.5/month
    • 1 vCPU
    • 1 GB RAM
    • 10 GB storage
  • Bare Metal$49/month
    • Dedicated hardware
    • High performance
    • Full control

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 OVHcloud if

  • You need public cloud.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want private cloud.
OVHcloud review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or OVHcloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and OVHcloud at €3.5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or OVHcloud?
Linode has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linode and €3.5/month for OVHcloud.
Does Linode or OVHcloud run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. OVHcloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
Can I use Linode for free?
Yes. Linode has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OVHcloud starts at €3.5/month.
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 OVHcloud is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that OVHcloud cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Managed database. OVHcloud covers Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Bare Metal Servers, Managed Kubernetes. Both handle Kubernetes, Terraform, Ansible, Docker.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linode: Does Linode charge for data egress?

Linode emphasizes transparent pricing with no egress surprises and a free egress allowance included in the service. The pricing is described as straightforward with no hidden fees and no vendor lock-in.

Source
OVHcloud: How does OVHcloud charge for cloud services?

OVHcloud offers pay-as-you-go pricing for compute, storage, and bandwidth. Specific per-unit costs are accessed through the pricing calculator on the vendor site.

Source
Linode: What is the free trial credit amount?

New and existing enterprise customers can receive up to $5,000 in cloud credits through promotional offers.

Source
OVHcloud: Are there savings plans for OVHcloud services?

OVHcloud mentions savings plan options on its services pages, but pricing discounts and commitment terms are not detailed on the homepage.

Source
Linode: Is there vendor lock-in with Linode's pricing model?

No. Linode explicitly states there is no vendor lock-in as part of their transparent pricing approach.

Source
OVHcloud: What is the cost of OVHcloud zero inter-AZ fees?

OVHcloud advertises zero inter-AZ (availability zone) fees for data transfers within its network. Monthly subscription rates for individual services are not published on the vendor homepage.

Source
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