Digital Ocean

Description

DigitalOcean’s core offering revolves around virtual private servers (VPS), which they refer to as “droplets.” These droplets utilize KVM as the hypervisor and are available in various sizes and configurations across 13 different data center regions. Users can choose from several Linux distributions and deploy dozens of one-click applications. The platform is designed for simplicity and ease of use, allowing developers to focus on building applications rather than managing complex infrastructure.

DigitalOcean’s product suite includes a range of cloud services such as virtual private servers (Droplets), managed databases (for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB), object storage (Spaces), block storage (Volumes), and Kubernetes-based container services. They also offer serverless solutions like DigitalOcean Functions, which allows developers to build and run applications without managing servers, based on technology acquired from Nimbella and the Apache OpenWhisk project. In March 2025, DigitalOcean partnered with Flexential to expand its GPU infrastructure, aiming to provide GPU Droplets powered by NVIDIA H200 and AMD Instinct GPUs to support AI and machine learning workloads.

The company emphasizes predictable pricing with flat rates and monthly caps, which can be a significant advantage for startups and lean teams on a budget, as pricing is consistent across all regions. DigitalOcean also provides free, personalized support with all plans, with options for paid plans offering dedicated assistance and faster response times.

DigitalOcean has grown significantly since its founding in 2012 by brothers Ben and Moisey Uretsky, along with Mitch Wainer, Jeff Carr, and Alec Hartman. It became one of the first cloud-hosting companies to offer SSD-based virtual machines in 2013. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange on March 24, 2021, with an initial public offering price of $47 per share. DigitalOcean also runs Hacktoberfest, a month-long celebration of open-source software held annually in October, partnering with various software companies.