Scaleway vs Linode: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Scaleway and Linode 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: Linode 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
Linode
Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing
Best for you if:
- • You want affordable VPS hosting
- • You want simple pricing
| At a Glance | Scaleway | Linode |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 | $5/moShared CPU |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Scaleway or Linode?
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- You want european cloud
- You want good pricing
- Budget matters ($1.83/month vs $5/mo)
Choose Linode if
Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing
- You want affordable VPS hosting
- You want simple pricing
| Feature | Scaleway | Linode |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 132 reviews | ★4.6/5 336 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
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
- +Affordable VPS hosting
- +Simple pricing
- +Good performance
- +Akamai backing now
- +Good support
Weaknesses
- -Limited managed services
- -Smaller ecosystem
- -Fewer features than competitors
- -Some features still catching up
- -Less enterprise adoption
Key features
Pricing: Scaleway vs Linode
| Plan | Scaleway | Linode |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1.83 month STARDUST1 | $5 Shared CPU |
| Tier 2 | $7.99 month DEV1-S | $30 Dedicated CPU |
| Tier 3 | $21 month GP1-XS | $60 High Memory |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Scaleway pricing and Linode pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Linode
Want the highest-rated option?
Scaleway: 4.3/5 (132 reviews). Linode: 4.6/5 (336 reviews).
Go with: Linode
Value user reviews?
Scaleway: 132 reviews (4.3/5). Linode: 336 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Linode
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?
Linode is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
Linode
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
- Larger review base (336 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Scaleway
- Choose if you want european cloud infrastructure provider
The Bottom Line
Linode wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scaleway or Linode better?
Linode is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Scaleway and Linode used for?
Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider. Linode: Cloud computing with simple and predictable pricing.
What does Scaleway cost vs Linode?
Scaleway is a paid tool. Linode is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.