Hetzner vs Linode: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Hetzner and Linode side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Hetzner leads on lower entry price; Linode leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Hetzner
Affordable cloud and dedicated servers
Linode
Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing
| At a Glance | Hetzner | Linode |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $3.49/mo, billed monthly Cost-Optimized plan | From $5/mo, billed monthly Shared CPU plan |
Category | Hosting & Deployment Cloud & Infrastructure | Hosting & Deployment Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 3.7/5 Trustpilot 3.3 · G2 4.5 380 reviews | 4.6/5 G2 4.6 · Capterra 4.6 336 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Data transfer over 20TB | Overage fees for exceeding bandwidth limits |
Choose Hetzner or Linode?
Choose Hetzner if
- Budget matters ($3.49/mo, billed monthly vs $5/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Linode if
- You need hosting & deployment features specifically.
In-Depth Analysis
Hetzner
Affordable cloud and dedicated servers
Hetzner's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, particularly for their 'Cost-Optimized' tier at $3.49/month for 2 vCPU and 4GB RAM, and the 'Regular Performance' at $4.99/month.
Watch out
Data transfer over 20TB
Strengths
- Pro: Extremely affordable pricing
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: European data centers
- Pro: Dedicated servers available
- Pro: Good for cost-conscious
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited regions (Europe focused)
- Con: Support can be slow
- Con: Less managed services
- Con: Some interface quirks
- Con: Not for enterprise compliance
Key features
Linode
Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing
Linode's pricing is generally fair and competitive, especially for its entry-level Shared CPU tier at $5/month, which offers solid resources for small projects.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding bandwidth limits
Strengths
- Pro: Affordable VPS hosting
- Pro: Simple pricing
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: Akamai backing now
- Pro: Good support
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited managed services
- Con: Smaller ecosystem
- Con: Fewer features than competitors
- Con: Some features still catching up
- Con: Less enterprise adoption
Key features
Plans and prices: Hetzner vs Linode
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hetzner |
| hetzner.com |
| Linode |
| akamai.com/cloud/pricing/cpu read Nov 7, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Hetzner pricing and Linode pricing.
Key Takeaways
Hetzner
- Lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly vs $5/mo, billed monthly
Linode
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.7/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Hetzner leads on lower entry price; Linode leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Linode has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 380 reviews for Hetzner, 4.6/5 from 336 reviews for Linode).
- Hetzner has the lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly (Cost-Optimized) against $5/mo, billed monthly (Shared CPU) for Linode.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Hetzner and Linode compare in 2026?
On the data below, Hetzner leads on lower entry price; Linode leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Linode has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 380 reviews for Hetzner, 4.6/5 from 336 reviews for Linode). Hetzner has the lower entry price: $3.49/mo, billed monthly (Cost-Optimized) against $5/mo, billed monthly (Shared CPU) for Linode.
What are Hetzner and Linode used for?
Hetzner: Affordable cloud and dedicated servers. Linode: Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing.
What does Hetzner cost vs Linode?
Hetzner's cheapest paid plan is Cost-Optimized at $3.49/mo, billed monthly. Linode's cheapest paid plan is Shared CPU at $5/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 7, 2026.
What's the main difference between Hetzner and Linode?
Hetzner's main strength: extremely affordable pricing. Linode's main strength: affordable VPS hosting.
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