Scaleway vs AWS: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Scaleway and AWS 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: AWS wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman. 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:
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Best for you if:
- • You want european cloud
- • You want good pricing
AWS
The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
Best for you if:
- • You want most comprehensive cloud platform
- • You want global infrastructure (200+ services)
| At a Glance | Scaleway | AWS |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 | Custom |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Scaleway or AWS?
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- You want european cloud
- You want good pricing
Choose AWS if
The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
- You want most comprehensive cloud platform
- You want global infrastructure (200+ services)
| Feature | Scaleway | AWS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 132 reviews | ★4.4/5 17,730 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Scaleway's pricing, particularly with the STARDUST1 at $1.83/month and DEV1-S at $7.99/month, appears very competitive and generous for basic cloud infrastructure.
Watch out
Managed service add-ons
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
AWS
The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
AWS dominates cloud infrastructure with 31% market share and the broadest service catalog (200+ services), but that breadth is also its biggest cost trap.
Watch out
Data transfer out: First 100GB/month is free, then $0.09/GB. A site serving 1TB/month of assets pays ~$81/month just in egress. CloudFront reduces this but adds its own per-request fees. Cross-region transfer is $0.02/GB, multi-region architectures multiply this cost.
Strengths
- +Most comprehensive cloud platform
- +Global infrastructure (200+ services)
- +Industry standard for enterprise
- +Excellent documentation
- +Strong security and compliance
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing model
- -Steep learning curve
- -Bill surprises common
- -UI dated and confusing
- -Vendor lock-in risk
Key features
Pricing: Scaleway vs AWS
| Plan | Scaleway | AWS |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1.83 month STARDUST1 | $0 Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | $7.99 month DEV1-S | Usage-based Pay-as-you-go |
| Tier 3 | $21 month GP1-XS | Up to 72% off Savings Plans |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Scaleway pricing and AWS pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: AWS
Want the highest-rated option?
Scaleway: 4.3/5 (132 reviews). AWS: 4.4/5 (17,730 reviews).
Go with: AWS
Value user reviews?
Scaleway: 132 reviews (4.3/5). AWS: 17,730 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: AWS
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?
AWS is rated higher: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
AWS
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (17,730 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Scaleway
- Choose if you want european cloud infrastructure provider
The Bottom Line
AWS wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scaleway or AWS better?
AWS is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Scaleway and AWS used for?
Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider. AWS: The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet.
What does Scaleway cost vs AWS?
Scaleway is a paid tool. AWS is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.