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Linode vs Traefik

Linode logo

Linode

Software

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Traefik logo

Traefik

Software

Modern cloud-native edge router and API gateway

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; Traefik requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • They diverge on capability: Linode covers Compute instances, Traefik covers API Gateway.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and Traefik actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and Traefik differ
AttributeLinodeTraefik
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliKubernetes, Docker, Cloud
Founded20032015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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
  • Terraform

Only in Traefik

  • API Gateway
  • Load Balancing
  • SSL/TLS Termination
  • Consul
  • etcd
  • Linux support
  • Docker support
  • Kubernetes support

Both cover

  • Kubernetes
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes

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

Traefik

  • API gateway for microservices architecturenot Linode
  • Kubernetes ingress controllernot Linode
  • Container and VM traffic routingnot Linode
  • Cloud-native application managementnot 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

Traefik

  • Requires Kubernetes or container knowledge
  • Complex configuration for advanced features

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

Traefik

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Traefik review.

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 Traefik if

  • You need api gateway.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
  • You also want load balancing.
Traefik review

Questions people ask

Is Linode or Traefik better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and Traefik at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or Traefik?
Linode starts at Free and Traefik at Free.
Does Linode or Traefik run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. Traefik runs on Kubernetes, Docker, Cloud.
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 Traefik is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that Traefik cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Managed database. Traefik covers API Gateway, Load Balancing, SSL/TLS Termination, Consul. Both handle Kubernetes, Docker, Kubernetes.
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