Scaleway vs DigitalOcean: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Scaleway and DigitalOcean 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 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
DigitalOcean
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
Best for you if:
- • You want simple pricing
- • You want good docs
| At a Glance | Scaleway | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 | $4/moDroplets |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Scaleway or DigitalOcean?
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- You want european cloud
- You want good pricing
Choose DigitalOcean if
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
- You want simple pricing
- You want good docs
| Feature | Scaleway | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 132 reviews | ★4.6/5 914 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
DigitalOcean
Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses
DigitalOcean's pricing is generally fair and competitive, especially for developers and small to medium-sized businesses.
Watch out
Overage fees for bandwidth beyond allowances
Strengths
- +Simple pricing
- +Good docs
- +Developer friendly
Weaknesses
- -Less features than AWS
Key features
Pricing: Scaleway vs DigitalOcean
| Plan | Scaleway | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1.83 month STARDUST1 | $4 Droplets |
| Tier 2 | $7.99 month DEV1-S | $0 App Platform |
| Tier 3 | $21 month GP1-XS | $12 Kubernetes |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $15 Managed Databases |
| Tier 5 | N/A | $5 Spaces Storage |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Scaleway pricing and DigitalOcean pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: DigitalOcean
Want the highest-rated option?
Scaleway: 4.3/5 (132 reviews). DigitalOcean: 4.6/5 (914 reviews).
Go with: DigitalOcean
Value user reviews?
Scaleway: 132 reviews (4.3/5). DigitalOcean: 914 reviews (4.6/5).
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 (914 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Scaleway
- Choose if you want european cloud infrastructure provider
The Bottom Line
DigitalOcean wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scaleway or DigitalOcean better?
DigitalOcean is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Scaleway and DigitalOcean used for?
Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider. DigitalOcean: Cloud infrastructure for startups and businesses.
What does Scaleway cost vs DigitalOcean?
Scaleway is a paid tool. DigitalOcean is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.