Softwr

Cloud · head to head

Linode vs Rev

Linode logo

Linode

Cloud

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Rev logo

Rev

AI

Human and AI transcription, captions and subtitles priced per minute

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
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; Rev human transcription at 1.99 US dollars a minute means roughly 120 dollars an hour of audio, so a long-form interview series costs more in transcription than most teams assume before they run the arithmetic.
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, Rev covers Human transcription.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and Rev actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and Rev differ
AttributeLinodeRev
Pricing modelusage-basedPer minute for human work, per seat per month for AI
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliWeb, iOS, Android, API
CategoryCloudAI
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Kubernetes
  • Managed database
  • Load balancers
  • Firewalls
  • Private networks

Only in Rev

  • Human transcription
  • AI transcription
  • Captions and subtitles
  • Legal transcripts
  • File analysis
  • Clio integration
  • Rev API
  • Speaker identification

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 Rev
  • Managed Kubernetes, block storage and object storage on a single cloud accountnot Rev
  • Hosting workloads in a specific one of the listed global regionsnot Rev

Rev

  • A law firm that needs a deposition transcript in a court-acceptable page format with a fixed turnaround and a published per-page price it can bill to a matter.not Linode
  • A documentary or podcast producer costing a project in advance, because human transcription at a published per-minute rate makes the transcription line item a known number.not Linode
  • A broadcaster needing compliant human captions rather than machine captions, where accuracy is a regulatory requirement and not a convenience.not Linode
  • A team with high AI volume and occasional high-stakes files, using the subscription for the bulk and paying the discounted human rate only where accuracy matters.not 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

Rev

  • Human transcription at 1.99 US dollars a minute means roughly 120 dollars an hour of audio, so a long-form interview series costs more in transcription than most teams assume before they run the arithmetic.
  • AI minutes are allocated per seat per month and do not roll over, so bursty workloads, which is how most media production actually behaves, waste allowance in quiet months and run out in busy ones.
  • The product direction has moved towards legal and investigative use, so a newsroom or media buyer is choosing a tool whose roadmap priority sits elsewhere.
  • Foreign-language subtitles are priced from 6.49 to 15.99 US dollars per minute, an order of magnitude above transcription, which makes multi-language localisation of any volume of video expensive enough to change the plan.
  • Human turnaround is stated in hours rather than guaranteed contractually on the published plans, so a hard broadcast or filing deadline needs an agreement beyond the standard terms.

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

Rev

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 45 AI transcription and caption minutes per month
    • Up to 5 files analysed
    • No human transcription included
  • Essentials$25.49/month
    • 5,000 AI minutes per seat per month
    • Up to 3 seats
    • 10 per cent discount on human transcription, captions and subtitles
  • Pro$47.99/month
    • 10,000 AI minutes per seat per month
    • Up to 5 seats
    • 15 per cent discount on human work
  • Unlimited$undefined/month
    • Unlimited AI minutes
    • Up to 500 files analysed at once
    • Dedicated account specialist

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 Rev if

  • You need human transcription.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, API.
  • You also want ai transcription.
Rev review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or Rev better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and Rev at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or Rev?
Linode starts at Free and Rev at Free.
Does Linode or Rev run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. Rev runs on Web, iOS, Android, API.
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 Rev is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that Rev cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Kubernetes. Rev covers Human transcription, AI transcription, Captions and subtitles, Legal transcripts.

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
Rev: How much is human transcription?

1.99 US dollars per minute with a stated accuracy target above 99 per cent, typically returned within 12 hours. Subscribers get 10 to 15 per cent off.

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
Rev: Is there a free tier?

Yes, 45 AI minutes per month and up to 5 files analysed, with no human transcription included.

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
Rev: Do unused AI minutes roll over?

No. The allowance is per seat per month and resets, which penalises irregular workloads.

Rev: Can it do subtitles in other languages?

Yes, across seventeen languages, priced from 6.49 to 15.99 US dollars per minute, considerably more than transcription.

Rev: Is Rev still a good choice for newsrooms?

It works, but the subscription tiers are now positioned around legal and investigative workflows, so a newsroom should compare it against a tool built specifically for journalism.

Share

Related pages

More on Linode

More on Rev

Keep looking

Other head to heads