Link copied to clipboard # DigitalOcean vs Google Compute Engine Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/digitalocean/google-compute-engine/export.csv) DigitalOceanGoogle Compute Engine[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **DigitalOcean** Free Trial **Starting at $4.00** · Droplets **Google Compute Engine** Free Trial **Pay As You Go** Per Month · Beyond Free Tier and Free Trial **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **DigitalOcean** 1 monthFaster Based on 221 responses **Google Compute Engine** 3 months Based on 38 responses Return on Investment **DigitalOcean** 9 months1 month sooner Based on 192 responses **Google Compute Engine** 10 months Based on 31 responses Perceived Cost **DigitalOcean** $$$$$ **Google Compute Engine** $$$$$ Average Discount **DigitalOcean** 8% **Google Compute Engine** 17%9% more **Pros & Cons** from reviews **DigitalOcean** [ Ease of Use (154) ](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1089928&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Cost-Effective (91) ](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1090952&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Limited Features (45) ](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1093849&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Expensive (43) ](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1092919&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Google Compute Engine** [ Ease of Use (65) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1735696&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Scalability (60) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1733762&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Pricing Issues (42) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1736656&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Expensive (38) ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1734763&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **DigitalOcean** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6f7467a9095411d659210c508d7bb82a/amazon-virtual-private-cloud-amazon-vpc.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon Virtual Private... ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-virtual-private-cloud-amazon-vpc/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dc7900ca8b7b1ffa938cf62c40bfe2bf/apache-http-server-project.png "Product Avatar Image") Apache HTTP Server Project ](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-http-server-project/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_504423766e296a0eeef13491cb738385/aws-vpn.png "Product Avatar Image") AWS VPN ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-vpn/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_3546a99a47ca08dac662d31254fb64a9/brevo-brevo.png "Product Avatar Image") Brevo ](https://www.g2.com/products/brevo-brevo/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/integrations) **Google Compute Engine** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_083e9816c543715e87591bf0e68c2734/airbyte.png "Product Avatar Image") Airbyte ](https://www.g2.com/products/airbyte/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dd1391a4645e8459903fe21583c920c8/docker-hub.png "Product Avatar Image") Docker hub ](https://www.g2.com/products/docker-hub/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_6f53bf0d0d0e9d6f37be0bcd3ad250ab/google-cloud-load-balancing.png "Product Avatar Image") Google Cloud Load Balancing ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-load-balancing/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_aeae116c52945fdecd7ed16d621cb315/google-cloud-monitoring.png "Product Avatar Image") Google Cloud Monitoring ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-monitoring/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/integrations) Screenshots **DigitalOcean** ![DigitalOcean screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/58757/Droplet-Create.JPG) **Google Compute Engine** ![Google Compute Engine screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1247347/Screen-Shot-2022-10-17-at-12.04.26-PM.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **DigitalOcean** 9.1 9.1660 **Google Compute Engine** 9.0 9.0506 Ease of Use **DigitalOcean** 9.2 9.2649 **Google Compute Engine** 8.7 8.7508 Ease of Setup **DigitalOcean** 9.3 9.3508 **Google Compute Engine** 8.6 8.6333 Ease of Admin **DigitalOcean** 9.2 9.2411 **Google Compute Engine** 8.6 8.6213 Quality of Support **DigitalOcean** 8.6 8.6541 **Google Compute Engine** 8.4 8.4467 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **DigitalOcean** 9.1 9.1383 **Google Compute Engine** 8.8 8.8205 Product Direction (% positive) **DigitalOcean** 9.0 9.0645 **Google Compute Engine** 9.4 9.4483 **Features** ratings from reviews Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 8.6 188 8.6 204 VPS Hosting Platforms 8.3 382 Not enough data Auto Scaling Not enough data 8.5 133 Cloud Management Platforms Not enough data 8.6 153 Server Virtualization Not enough data 8.6 125 Cloud Platform as a Service (PaaS) 8.5 76 Not enough data Database as a Service (DBaaS) 8.2 51 Not enough data Container Management 8.9 41 Not enough data User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 85.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 11.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 2.7% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 85.5% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 11.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 2.7% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 36.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.6% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 33.1% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 36.3% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.6% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 33.1% **Reviewers' Industry** [![DigitalOcean](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/6028813119dc32d698afd6e25ff33d5b/digitalocean.svg "DigitalOcean")](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) DigitalOcean Computer Software 24.1% Information Technology and Services 20.2% Internet 6.7% Marketing and Advertising 5.9% Computer & Network Security 2.9% Other 40.2% [![Google Compute Engine](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_aeae116c52945fdecd7ed16d621cb315/google-compute-engine.png "Google Compute Engine")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) Google Compute Engine Information Technology and Services 20.7% Computer Software 19.0% Financial Services 6.5% Computer & Network Security 4.2% Marketing and Advertising 3.2% Other 46.5% FAQs ## DigitalOcean vs Google Compute Engine FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between DigitalOcean vs Google Compute Engine? DigitalOcean stands out for its ease of setup and user-friendly experience, while Google Compute Engine is recognized for its scalability and flexibility. | [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) | [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.6/5 (756 reviews) | 4.5/5 (953 reviews) | | Small-Business | Small-Business | | 9.3 | 8.6 | | 8.6 | 8.4 | | Ease of Use (154 all-time mentions) | Scalability (60 all-time mentions) | ### How do the pricing models of DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine compare? DigitalOcean is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to Google Compute Engine. - **DigitalOcean:** Reviewers consistently highlight transparent and predictable pricing, with many citing cost-effectiveness and affordability as key advantages. - **Google Compute Engine:** Reviewers frequently mention complex and sometimes confusing pricing, with several noting that costs can escalate quickly if not closely monitored. - **Switching Reason:** In recent reviews, buyers moving to DigitalOcean cite its straightforward pricing and lower overall costs as primary motivators. ### What are the best alternatives to DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine? The top 3 alternatives to DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine are Azure Virtual Machines, Akamai Cloud Computing, and Vultr. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [DigitalOcean](https://www.g2.com/products/digitalocean/reviews) | 4.6/5 (756 reviews) | Small-Business | Transparent and predictable pricing | Ease of Use (154 all-time mentions) | | [Google Compute Engine](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews) | 4.5/5 (953 reviews) | Small-Business | Complex pricing, can escalate quickly | Scalability (60 all-time mentions) | | [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) | 4.4/5 (393 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Flexibility and integration with Microsoft ecosystem | | [Akamai Cloud Computing](https://www.g2.com/products/akamai-cloud-computing/reviews) | 4.6/5 (406 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Performance and reliability | | [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) | 4.3/5 (288 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Affordability and ease of deployment | ### Which Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) features should I prioritize when comparing DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine? Buyers should prioritize ease of setup, scalability, pricing transparency, integrations, and virtual machine flexibility when comparing DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine. - **Ease of Setup:** DigitalOcean scores 9.3, Google Compute Engine 8.6. - **Scalability:** Google Compute Engine has 60 all-time mentions for scalability, while DigitalOcean is less frequently cited for this feature. - **Pricing Transparency:** DigitalOcean is praised for transparent pricing (51 all-time mentions), while Google Compute Engine has 42 all-time mentions of pricing issues. - **Integrations:** Google Compute Engine has 42 all-time mentions for integrations, DigitalOcean has 25 for Docker and 2 for n8n. - **Virtual Machine Flexibility:** Google Compute Engine has 59 all-time mentions for virtual machines, DigitalOcean is frequently cited for ease of use and setup of VMs. ### What are the pros and cons of DigitalOcean vs Google Compute Engine? DigitalOcean's headline strength is ease of use, while Google Compute Engine excels in scalability and flexibility. - **DigitalOcean strengths:** Ease of Use (154 all-time mentions), Cost-Effective (91), Affordable (88), Easy Setup (78), Reliability (73), Pricing Transparency (51), User Interface (44). - **DigitalOcean trade-offs:** Limited Features (45), Expensive (43), Missing Features (40). - **Google Compute Engine strengths:** Scalability (60), Virtual Machines (59), Flexibility (45), Integrations (42), Performance (40), Reliability (36), Customization (28). - **Google Compute Engine trade-offs:** Pricing Issues (42), Expensive (38), Cost Management (29), Complexity (28), Complex Pricing (23). ### Is DigitalOcean or Google Compute Engine better for small businesses? DigitalOcean is the better fit for small businesses, with a strong small-business segment and reviewer sentiment focused on simplicity and affordability. - **DigitalOcean:** Small-Business segment; reviewers highlight ease of use, predictable pricing, and quick setup as ideal for small teams and startups. - **Google Compute Engine:** Small-Business segment; reviewers note flexibility and scalability, but mention a steeper learning curve and more complex pricing, which can be challenging for smaller organizations. ### Which Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform has better integrations? Google Compute Engine is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions and broader ecosystem connectivity. - **DigitalOcean:** Integrates with Docker (25 all-time mentions) and n8n (2 all-time mentions), with reviewers appreciating its developer-friendly API. - **Google Compute Engine:** Integrates with Docker (14 all-time mentions) and is frequently cited for integrations (42 all-time mentions), especially with Google Cloud services and CI/CD pipelines. ### How do DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine compare on customer support? DigitalOcean and Google Compute Engine are rated at near-parity for Quality of Support, with DigitalOcean at 8.6 and Google Compute Engine at 8.4. - **DigitalOcean:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, with positive experiences for standard issues, though some note delays or challenges with advanced support tiers. - **Google Compute Engine:** Reviewers report helpful support for setup and technical issues, but several mention that premium support requires additional cost and that documentation can be complex. ### Which is easier to implement, DigitalOcean or Google Compute Engine? DigitalOcean leads on Ease of Setup, scoring 9.3 versus Google Compute Engine's 8.6, with reviewers consistently citing its straightforward implementation. - **DigitalOcean:** Reviewers highlight quick and easy setup, intuitive UI, and minimal hurdles for getting started, making it accessible for those new to cloud infrastructure. - **Google Compute Engine:** Reviewers note that setup is generally easy, especially for those familiar with cloud concepts, but mention a steeper learning curve for networking and IAM configurations. ### Which product has better Virtual Machines? Google Compute Engine is more frequently cited for Virtual Machines, with reviewers highlighting its flexibility and advanced VM features. - **DigitalOcean:** Ease of Setup 9.3, Ease of Use 9.2; reviewers praise the simplicity and speed of deploying virtual machines, with 40 all-time mentions for performance. - **Google Compute Engine:** Virtual Machines (59 all-time mentions), Scalability (60), Flexibility (45); reviewers emphasize customizable VM configurations, live migration, and robust performance for diverse workloads. Alternatives **DigitalOcean Alternatives** ![Akamai Cloud Computing](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/88a10113936d5d26cc5455decf5a8817/akamai-cloud-computing.svg "Akamai Cloud Computing") [ Akamai Cloud Computing ](/products/akamai-cloud-computing/reviews) ![UpCloud](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f8dca1699c6325550d46495ba32ea87c/upcloud.svg "UpCloud") [ UpCloud ](/products/upcloud/reviews) ![Vultr](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/27c97c7af6d802b5402dcad97f585a40/vultr.svg "Vultr") [ Vultr ](/products/vultr/reviews) ![Hostinger](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/b81bb1e11cf4347107f36c928d20df03/hostinger.svg "Hostinger") [ Hostinger ](/products/hostinger/reviews) **Google Compute Engine Alternatives** ![Azure Virtual Machines](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-virtual-machines.jpg "Azure Virtual Machines") [ Azure Virtual Machines ](/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) ![Vultr](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/27c97c7af6d802b5402dcad97f585a40/vultr.svg "Vultr") [ Vultr ](/products/vultr/reviews) ![Amazon EC2](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476475/amazon-ec2.svg "Amazon EC2") [ Amazon EC2 ](/products/amazon-ec2/reviews) ![Akamai Cloud Computing](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/88a10113936d5d26cc5455decf5a8817/akamai-cloud-computing.svg "Akamai Cloud Computing") [ Akamai Cloud Computing ](/products/akamai-cloud-computing/reviews)