DigitalOcean vs Hetzner: Which Web Hosting Tool Is Better in 2026?
DigitalOcean
From $4Hetzner
From $3.79Quick verdict
Overall pick: Hetzner
The two tools match on every listed feature: both offer NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, root/SSH access, and DDoS protection, and neither includes managed WordPress, free SSL/CDN, staging, or 24/7 support. Hetzner edges ahead on price at $3.79 versus $4 per month and is positioned for high-traffic European workloads, while DigitalOcean is positioned for custom app infrastructure. Buyers focused on the lowest entry cost or European workloads should pick Hetzner; those prioritizing a longer track record in the developer-cloud space may lean DigitalOcean.
- Hetzner's entry plan ($3.79) is 5% cheaper than DigitalOcean's ($4).
- They cover the same 4 of 8 core features we track, so price and UX decide.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| DigitalOcean · flat | $4.00 | $48 |
| Hetzner · flat | $3.79 | $45 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer minimizing monthly entry cost | Hetzner | Hetzner starts at $3.79 versus DigitalOcean's $4, both on flat billing. |
| Developer needing root/SSH access and NVMe storage | Tie | Both tools list root_access and nvme_storage as supported. |
| Buyer needing automated daily backups and DDoS protection | Tie | Both list daily_backups and ddos_protection as supported. |
| High-traffic workloads based in Europe | Hetzner | Hetzner is positioned for high-traffic European workloads. |
| Buyer wanting managed WordPress or 1-click staging | Tie | Neither tool supports managed_wordpress or staging_environment. |
Feature comparison: DigitalOcean vs Hetzner
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $4 /mo | $3.79 /mo |
| Managed WordPress support | — | — |
| Free SSL & CDN | — | — |
| High-speed NVMe/SSD storage | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated daily backups | ✅ | ✅ |
| 1-click staging environment | — | — |
| Full root / SSH access | ✅ | ✅ |
| Enterprise DDoS protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 expert support | — | — |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
DigitalOcean
- Flat billing with a $4 starting price
- Includes NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, root access, and DDoS protection
- Founded in 2011 and positioned for custom app infrastructure
- No managed WordPress support
- No free SSL/CDN, staging environment, or 24/7 support listed
- Starting price is $0.21 higher than Hetzner's
Hetzner
- Lowest starting price at $3.79 on flat billing
- Includes NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, root access, and DDoS protection
- Founded in 1997 and positioned for high-traffic European workloads
- No managed WordPress support
- No free SSL/CDN, staging environment, or 24/7 support listed
- Positioning emphasizes European workloads rather than general custom app infrastructure
At a glance
Developer cloud simplified: Droplets, Kubernetes, and managed databases.
Founded 2011 · From $4 · 4/8 tracked features
Best for: developers, custom app infrastructure
See DigitalOcean alternatives →Unbeatable European price-to-performance cloud and dedicated servers.
Founded 1997 · From $3.79 · 4/8 tracked features
Best for: developers, high-traffic European workloads
See Hetzner alternatives →FAQ
Is DigitalOcean cheaper than Hetzner?
No. DigitalOcean starts at $4 per month, while Hetzner starts at $3.79; both use flat billing.
Do DigitalOcean and Hetzner offer the same features?
On the listed features they match: both support NVMe/SSD storage, daily backups, root/SSH access, and DDoS protection, and neither offers managed WordPress, free SSL/CDN, staging, or 24/7 support.
Which is better for European workloads?
Hetzner is positioned for high-traffic European workloads, making it the closer fit for that scenario.
Does either tool include managed WordPress?
No. Neither DigitalOcean nor Hetzner lists managed WordPress support.
Which tool has been around longer?
Hetzner was founded in 1997, compared with DigitalOcean's founding in 2011.
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Data last reviewed: pending verification. All Web Hosting tools →