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Cloud & Infrastructure · head to head

Linode vs Ubiquiti UniFi

Linode logo

Linode

Cloud & Infrastructure

Affordable cloud hosting and infrastructure

From
Free
Rated
-
U

Ubiquiti UniFi

Network & Connectivity

Effortlessly manage 100+ APs in the same way you manage an individual AP

From
On request
Rated
-

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; Ubiquiti UniFi product page states no licensing fees but publishes no hardware price; buyers must go to the Ubiquiti Store or an authorized distributor for a figure

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linode and Ubiquiti UniFi actually diverge.

Attributes where Linode and Ubiquiti UniFi differ
AttributeLinodeUbiquiti UniFi
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelusage-basedone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Api, CliWeb
CategoryCloud & InfrastructureNetwork & Connectivity
Founded2003Unknown

Identical on both: 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 Ubiquiti UniFi

Nothing recorded that Linode does not also cover.

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

Ubiquiti UniFi

No use cases recorded yet. See the Ubiquiti UniFi review.

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

Ubiquiti UniFi

  • Product page states no licensing fees but publishes no hardware price; buyers must go to the Ubiquiti Store or an authorized distributor for a figure
  • Newest WiFi 7 access points such as the U7 Pro require compatible UniFi controller hardware or cloud console to manage centrally

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

Ubiquiti UniFi

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Ubiquiti UniFi 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.

Choose Ubiquiti UniFi if

Nothing in the data separates Ubiquiti UniFi from Linode on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Questions people ask

Is Linode or Ubiquiti UniFi better?
Neither clearly leads. Linode starts at Free and Ubiquiti UniFi at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linode or Ubiquiti UniFi?
Linode has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Linode and On request for Ubiquiti UniFi.
Does Linode or Ubiquiti UniFi run on more platforms?
Linode runs on Web, Api, Cli. Ubiquiti UniFi runs on Web.
Can I use Linode for free?
Yes. Linode has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Ubiquiti UniFi starts at On request.
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 Ubiquiti UniFi is typically brought in for.
What can Linode do that Ubiquiti UniFi cannot?
Linode covers Compute instances, Object storage, Block storage, Kubernetes.

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