DigitalOcean
PaidCloud infrastructure provider offering simple, affordable compute, storage, and networking.
What does this tool do?
DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure platform that provides developers and businesses with scalable compute, storage, and networking solutions. Unlike traditional cloud providers with complex pricing, DigitalOcean focuses on simplicity and developer-friendly services. Their core offering, Droplets, are virtual machines that can be quickly deployed, while recent expansions into AI infrastructure with their Gradient™ platform demonstrate a strategic move into machine learning and AI compute resources.
AI analysis from Feb 17, 2026
Key Features
- Droplets (scalable virtual machines)
- Kubernetes cluster management
- Managed databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
- Object storage with Spaces
- GPU-enabled AI inference infrastructure
- Cloud firewall and network security tools
- Per-second billing option
Use Cases
- 1Hosting web applications and websites
- 2Deploying and scaling Kubernetes clusters
- 3Running AI and machine learning workloads
- 4Developing and testing software applications
- 5Hosting databases and data processing infrastructure
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Simple, straightforward pricing model
- Quick deployment of virtual machines
- Strong developer-focused ecosystem
- Robust marketplace with 1-click deployments
- Competitive pricing for small to medium workloads
Limitations
- Less global infrastructure compared to AWS/Google Cloud
- Limited enterprise-grade features for large organizations
- Smaller range of specialized services compared to major cloud providers
- May require more manual configuration for complex setups
Pricing Details
Droplets start at $4/month, with various tiers based on CPU, RAM, and storage. GPU instances for AI start around $60/month. Free tier available with limited resources.
Who is this for?
Software developers, startups, small to medium businesses, AI/ML researchers, and independent developers seeking affordable and straightforward cloud infrastructure