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Linode vs Tencent Cloud

Linode logo

Linode

Cloud

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tencent Cloud logo

Tencent Cloud

Cloud

Cloud solutions for global enterprises

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; Tencent Cloud no pricing details accessible on main site; customers must navigate to dedicated pricing portal
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, Tencent Cloud covers CVM - Cloud Virtual Machines.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Linode and Tencent Cloud differ
AttributeLinodeTencent Cloud
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliLinux, Windows, Api, Cli
Founded20032010

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

Only in Tencent Cloud

  • CVM - Cloud Virtual Machines
  • COS - Cloud Object Storage
  • TencentDB
  • SCF - Serverless Computing
  • CDN
  • Load Balancer
  • VPC
  • API Gateway

Both cover

  • Kubernetes
  • Terraform
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes
  • DDoS protection
  • Firewall
  • Cloud deployment
  • Api support

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

Tencent Cloud

  • Gaming platformsnot Linode
  • Social medianot Linode
  • Video streamingnot Linode
  • Asia-Pacific deploymentnot Linode
  • Mobile applicationsnot 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

Tencent Cloud

  • No pricing details accessible on main site; customers must navigate to dedicated pricing portal

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

Tencent Cloud

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • Free trial credits
    • CVM instances
    • Cloud storage
  • Pay-as-You-GoFree
    • Flexible pricing
    • No long-term contracts
    • Global infrastructure

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 Tencent Cloud if

  • You need cvm - cloud virtual machines.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want cos - cloud object storage.
Tencent Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or Tencent Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and Tencent Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or Tencent Cloud?
Linode starts at Free and Tencent Cloud at Free.
Does Linode or Tencent Cloud run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. Tencent 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 Tencent Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that Tencent Cloud cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Managed database. Tencent Cloud covers CVM - Cloud Virtual Machines, COS - Cloud Object Storage, TencentDB, SCF - Serverless Computing. Both handle Kubernetes, Terraform, Docker, Kubernetes.

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
Tencent Cloud: How do I access Tencent Cloud pricing?

Tencent Cloud pricing is available at buy.cloud.tencent.com/pricing. The main site provides navigation to pricing for various cloud products and services.

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
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
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