Simple, cost-effective Linux hosting

DigitalOcean provides an intuitive Linux web hosting service, powered by our virtual machines, Droplets, which run on the Linux operating system.

Host your application or website on a leading Linux web hosting provider

Linux is one of the most popular operating systems today, giving users the ability to choose from a number of Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Debian, Rocky Linux, and more. DigitalOcean is a web hosting provider that leverages the open-source Linux operating system for our virtual machines, called Droplets.

Droplets are scalable, cost-effective Linux-based virtual servers which can be set up in just minutes. With predictable pricing and developer-friendly features, DigitalOcean is one of the best Linux hosting providers for developers, startups, and small businesses.

A range of options for powerful Linux web hosting

DigitalOcean’s Droplets provide Linux VPS hosting, and are customized to fit a range of use cases. We offer multiple configurations with both shared CPU and dedicated CPU.

Basic Droplets

DigitalOcean Basic Droplets are available in both Regular and as Premium Intel or Premium AMD servers. These Droplets start at just $4/month for Regular and $7/month for Premium and are ideal for applications that can handle variable levels of CPU.

General Purpose Droplets

General Purpose Droplets have dedicated CPU and a balanced ratio of memory to CPU, and are best used for production workloads that require dedicated power. These Linux hosting options start at $63/month.

CPU-Optimized Droplets

CPU Optimized Droplets provide a 2:1 ratio of memory to CPU, and are ideal for applications such as video streaming, game server hosting, and others which require fast performance. Both Regular and Premium CPU-Optimized Droplets are offered. Prices start at $42/month for Regular and $109/month for Premium.

Memory-Optimized Droplets

Memory-optimized Droplets provide Linux hosting for those with higher memory needs, and include 8GB of RAM for each vCPU. These Droplets start at $84/month.

Storage-Optimized Droplets

Storage-optimized Droplet virtual machines use NVme, an interface protocol built for modern SSDs to deliver disk performance that is faster than regular SSDs. These Droplets start at $131/month.

What customers think about DigitalOcean Linux hosting

“When I was running performance tests when starting DigitalOcean, you were one of few providers using SSDs as the default for images, which provided extra speed. This put you ahead of the competition because half of them were still using HDDs as the standard.”

Victoria Lidón

Director of DevOps at Vip District

Features and benefits to get the most out of your Linux hosting

DigitalOcean’s Linux hosting provides the simple Linux hosting solution that developers love, at a cost-effective, predictable price that businesses need.

Ship faster with simple tools

DigitalOcean’s easy to use cloud control, CLI and API are built to enable you to get your infrastructure up and running quickly.

Grow with a comprehensive product portfolio

In addition to Linux hosting through virtual machines, DigitalOcean offers Managed Databases, Managed Kubernetes, Block Storage, Object Storage, load balancers, and other cloud products you need.

Get dedicated support to remove roadblocks

DigitalOcean offers excellent customer support to all customers, with paid plans for those who need even faster responses and hands-on assistance.

Build on a reliable, global platform

Build your applications on a reliable platform, with a 99.99% uptime SLA for Droplets, and 15 global data centers so you can serve your audience around the world.

Get started with Linux hosting on DigitalOcean

Ready to get started with your Linux hosting on DigitalOcean? Spin up a Droplet today!

Uplevel your Linux knowledge with DigitalOcean’s Linux hosting tutorials

DigitalOcean has a huge range of tutorials and documentation to get you started with all of your Linux hosting needs. Read all of our [Linux hosting tutorials on our community website](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials?q=%5BLinux%20Basics%5D).

How to choose a Linux distribution

An introduction to Linux basics

Initial server setup with Ubuntu 20.04

A Linux command line primer

Frequently asked questions

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source operating system that was released by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as an alternative to Unix and other existing operating systems such as Windows. An operating system is the software that manages a computer’s basic resources and communicates with the other software applications that sit on top of the operating system (OS). The main difference between Linux and other operating systems such as Windows hosting using a Windows server is that Linux is based on open-source code, meaning it’s free to the public and can be accessed and edited by open-source contributors. Linux also has multiple distributions that are built around the Linux kernel. Some of the most popular Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora. There are also some commercial distributions which include Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.

Many devices today run on Linux hosting, including Android phones and tablets, and other electronics. Linux is popular for cloud hosting and server environments, as it’s flexible, requires few resources, is compatible with many systems, and has community-driven maintenance and support through its open-source nature. Windows servers are also offered by Microsoft, but most web hosting services today use Linux servers.

What is Linux hosting?

Linux hosting or Linux web hosting refers to hosting providers that use the Linux operating system on their servers. Cloud hosting companies need to choose an operating system for their servers, which users then build on top of, and many companies use Linux web hosting for their VPS (virtual private server) hosting as it is compatible with other popular languages and tools including PHP and MySQL. DigitalOcean offers Linux hosting through our virtual machines, Droplets, which use Linux as their base operating system.

How do I choose a Linux hosting provider?

Many web hosting providers offer Linux as a choice for their web hosting service. Some web hosts may also offer Windows hosting as an option. Choosing a Linux hosting provider depends on your use case, how you’ll use your Linux hosting, and what features you are looking for in a hosting provider. Some web hosting services offer Linux server hosting at an affordable cost with few features, while other Linux server hosting providers may be more expensive but include features in addition to Linux web hosting, like MySQL databases, cloud storage, a content delivery network, load balancers, and other web hosting products.

In addition to the cost for your Linux hosting, other factors to consider when choosing a web hosting provider include the level of customer support they provide, access to documentation and tutorial-based educational information around Linux hosting, if they offer dedicated hosting plans or only shared web hosting plans, how many data centers they offer, and more.

What are the best Linux web hosting providers?

There are many Linux web hosting services available today. DigitalOcean is a web host that provides both shared web hosting and dedicated server hosting at a cost-effective price. DigitalOcean is one of the best Linux hosting providers for developers and businesses who want simple, cost-effective virtual machines and reliable hosting infrastructure. DigitalOcean also provides users with a wide range of educational materials and tutorials around Linux hosting, which makes DigitalOcean one of the best Linux hosting providers available today. There is no single best Linux hosting provider for every situation, but by choosing a Linux web hosting service that meets your needs around cost, flexibility, user interface or control panel, and customer support, you’ll find the best Linux hosting for your needs.

Does DigitalOcean provide dedicated hosting plans?

DigitalOcean offers several Linux hosting services including those with a dedicated server with a dedicated CPU and those that are shared hosting with shared CPU. Our Linux servers, called Droplets, come in a variety of configurations, and include both shared CPU and dedicated CPU hosting plans. For those looking for basic Linux hosting, DigitalOcean’s Basic Droplets provide excellent Linux web hosting services for applications, websites, and more. Applications that require Linux hosting with additional CPU power can use CPU-optimized Droplets, while those who need more memory for their Linux hosting can use Memory-optimized Droplets. General Purpose Droplets are also an excellent choice for production workloads that need Linux web hosting with a good balance of CPU and memory on dedicated servers.

Does DigitalOcean provide a free domain or free SSL certificates?

DigitalOcean does not provide a free domain for your Linux hosting, but you can connect your domain from common domain registrars to DigitalOcean easily. DigitalOcean does not provide a free SSL certificate but enables you to use SSL certificates that you have purchased from commercial entities or use Let’s Encrypt which provides free SSL certificates that can be installed on Linux web servers. While you won’t get a free domain or free SSL certificate using DigitalOcean, DigitalOcean does provide a reliable, cost-effective solution with dedicated hosting plans, unlike other web hosts that may only provide shared hosting plans.

What Linux distribution should I choose?

Linux distributions each have their own maintainers, with some distributions being commercially maintained and others being open-source. When getting started with Linux hosting, you’ll need to choose a distribution for your Linux server. Some of the most popular Linux distributions include Ubuntu, which releases new versions every six months and new long-term versions every two years. Many developers choose an Ubuntu server as it’s compatible with a wide range of tools. Debian is related to Ubuntu and sits upstream of Ubuntu, so Debian’s architecture often informs Ubuntu. Debian doesn’t have as much commercial support but can be used as a baseline for other Linux distributions. Commercial Linux distributions include Red Hat Enterprise Linux or RHEL, and Rocky Linux which is downstream of Debian and is free to use. Other distributions include Fedora Linux, Arch Linux, and Alpine Linux. Choosing a distribution is often a personal preference based on your own needs—this article on Linux distributions can help you choose a Linux distribution.

How do I learn to use the Linux command line?

The Linux command line enables users to manage Linux through its web terminal, which provides users with greater access and control over their operating system. Using the Linux command line you can access and edit files and much more, so those who use Linux hosting will almost certainly need to learn how to manage their Linux server through the command line. Learn how the Linux command line works to manage Linux web servers in this tutorial.

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