Start with predictable VPS providers
If your workload is a straightforward web server, API, or database that doesn't need a hyperscaler's full feature set, start with a VPS provider — DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Linode, or Vultr. VPS pricing is typically 3-5x cheaper than equivalent AWS EC2 instances for predictable workloads, and the management interfaces are simpler. The constraint you'll hit is when you need tightly integrated cloud services (managed databases, load balancers, CDN, AI services) that hyperscalers provide natively but VPS providers require third-party solutions for.
- Recommendation: Hetzner Cloud, DigitalOcean Droplets, Linode
Recommended starting points
Based on your constraints, these products typically fit best. Read each decision brief to confirm pricing behavior and limits match your reality.
Hetzner Cloud
Cost-effective cloud VMs with strong price/performance, often chosen for Europe-centric deployments and straightforward infrastructure.
DigitalOcean Droplets
Simple, developer-friendly cloud VMs with predictable pricing, often chosen by small teams for straightforward hosting.
Linode
Developer-focused VPS compute with predictable pricing, positioned as a simpler alternative to hyperscaler VM offerings.
Why this recommendation
If your workload is a straightforward web server, API, or database that doesn't need a hyperscaler's full feature set, start with a VPS provider — DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Linode, or Vultr. VPS pricing is typically 3-5x cheaper than equivalent AWS EC2 instances for predictable workloads, and the management interfaces are simpler. The constraint you'll hit is when you need tightly integrated cloud services (managed databases, load balancers, CDN, AI services) that hyperscalers provide natively but VPS providers require third-party solutions for.