UpCloud vs Scaleway: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between UpCloud 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: Scaleway wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman. Pick UpCloud 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:
UpCloud
EU cloud infrastructure with data sovereignty and solid performance
Best for you if:
- • You want good cloud hosting
- • You want european option
Scaleway
European cloud infrastructure provider
Best for you if:
- • You want european cloud
- • You want good pricing
| At a Glance | UpCloud | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/monthDeveloper | $1.83/monthSTARDUST1 |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose UpCloud or Scaleway?
Choose UpCloud if
EU cloud infrastructure with data sovereignty and solid performance
- You want good cloud hosting
- You want european option
Choose Scaleway if
European cloud infrastructure provider
- You want european cloud
- You want good pricing
- Budget matters ($1.83/month vs $5/month)
| Feature | UpCloud | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.2/5 82 reviews | ★4.3/5 132 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment | Cloud & InfrastructureHosting & Deployment |
In-Depth Analysis
UpCloud
EU cloud infrastructure with data sovereignty and solid performance
UpCloud's pricing, starting at $5/month for the Developer tier, appears competitive for European cloud infrastructure, especially with a 100% SLA guarantee.
Strengths
- +Good cloud hosting
- +European option
- +Fair pricing
- +Good performance
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Smaller provider
- -Less features than major providers
- -Documentation gaps
- -Support varies
- -Learning curve
Key features
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
Pricing: UpCloud vs Scaleway
| Plan | UpCloud | Scaleway |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5 month Developer | $1.83 month STARDUST1 |
| Tier 2 | $10 month General Purpose | $7.99 month DEV1-S |
| Tier 3 | $20 month High Memory | $21 month GP1-XS |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on UpCloud pricing and Scaleway pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Scaleway
Want the highest-rated option?
UpCloud: 4.2/5 (82 reviews). Scaleway: 4.3/5 (132 reviews).
Go with: Scaleway
Value user reviews?
UpCloud: 82 reviews (4.2/5). Scaleway: 132 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Scaleway
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?
Scaleway is rated higher: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5.
Key Takeaways
Scaleway
- Higher user rating: 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5
- Larger review base (132 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
UpCloud
- Choose if you want eU cloud infrastructure with data sovereignty and solid performance
The Bottom Line
Scaleway wins this matchup. Our overall Hosting & Deployment pick is WordPress.com. Our free Hosting & Deployment pick is Podman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UpCloud or Scaleway better?
Scaleway is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are UpCloud and Scaleway used for?
UpCloud: EU cloud infrastructure with data sovereignty and solid performance. Scaleway: European cloud infrastructure provider.
What does UpCloud cost vs Scaleway?
UpCloud is a paid tool. Scaleway is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.