DigitalOcean vs Scaleway: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between DigitalOcean and Scaleway comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: DigitalOcean is our overall pick for cloud & infrastructure workflows. Pick Scaleway if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
DigitalOcean
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
Best for you if:
- • Developer-friendly cloud infrastructure
- • Simpler than AWS with transparent pricing
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Best for you if:
- • Scaleway is a European cloud provider with competitive pricing
- • It offers compute, storage, and Kubernetes with data sovereignty
| At a Glance |  DigitalOcean |  Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $4/moDroplets | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose DigitalOcean or Scaleway?
Choose DigitalOcean if
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
- Simple pricing
- Good docs
- Developer friendly
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- European cloud
- Good pricing
- Good bare metal
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 898 reviews | ★4.3/5 65 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
DigitalOcean
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
Strengths
- +Simple pricing
- +Good docs
- +Developer friendly
Weaknesses
- -Less features than AWS
Key features
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Strengths
- +European cloud
- +Good pricing
- +Good bare metal
- +GDPR compliant
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Less features than AWS
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -Documentation gaps
- -Support varies
- -Learning curve
Key features
Pricing: DigitalOcean vs Scaleway
| Plan | DigitalOcean | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $4 Droplets | $1.83 month STARDUST1 |
| Tier 2 | $0 App Platform | $7.99 month DEV1-S |
| Tier 3 | $12 Kubernetes | $21 month GP1-XS |
| Tier 4 | $15 Managed Databases | N/A |
| Tier 5 | $5 Spaces Storage | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on DigitalOcean pricing and Scaleway pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: DigitalOcean
Want the highest-rated option?
DigitalOcean: 4.6/5 (898 reviews). Scaleway: 4.3/5 (65 reviews).
Go with: DigitalOcean
Value user reviews?
DigitalOcean: 898 reviews (4.6/5). Scaleway: 65 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: DigitalOcean
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are cloud & infrastructure tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
DigitalOcean is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
DigitalOcean
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (898 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Scaleway
- Choose if you want european cloud infrastructure provider
The Bottom Line
DigitalOcean is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DigitalOcean or Scaleway better?
DigitalOcean is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are DigitalOcean and Scaleway used for?
DigitalOcean: Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses. Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider.
What does DigitalOcean cost vs Scaleway?
DigitalOcean is a paid tool. Scaleway is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.