Scaleway vs DigitalOcean: Which Should You Choose

Choosing the right cloud platform when choosing between Scaleway and DigitalOcean is important for your project. Scaleway and DigitalOcean are two popular options. Both offer great features for developers, startups, and businesses.

Scaleway is known for its multi-AZ object storage and European data centers. DigitalOcean is popular for its simplicity and developer-friendly tools.

In this blog, we will compare Scaleway vs DigitalOcean. We will explore pricing, performance, features, and use cases. This will help you decide which one is the best for your needs.

Let’s get started!

Overview of DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean offers easy-to-use cloud services with scalable and affordable object storage called Spaces. It is designed to store and deliver data reliably, and it comes with a built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN) to speed up website performance. Spaces start at $5 per month for 250GiB of storage and 1TiB of outbound transfer.

DigitalOcean is simple to use and supports S3-compatible tools. It offers great performance, handling high numbers of requests per second (RPS). The built-in CDN improves speed by caching assets on servers worldwide.

When comparing Scaleway vs DigitalOcean, both platforms offer robust cloud storage, but DigitalOcean is known for its user-friendly interface and built-in CDN, making it ideal for developers and businesses looking for simplicity and scalability.

Features

DigitalOcean offers Space object storage and Volume block storage solutions.
DigitalOcean offers Droplets, simple virtual machines for web and VPS hosting.
Managed Kubernetes is available for easy app scaling.
DigitalOcean is S3 compatible. It integrates easily with existing S3 tools, plugins, and utilities.
Speeds up data delivery by caching assets across 200+ global servers.
You can use Flexify.IO to migrate data. This allows you to move data from other cloud providers without downtime.
The platform offers a user-friendly interface. It makes managing and scaling storage easy.
It stores large datasets which is ideal for AI model training and big data analytics.
You can archive backup files and share software libraries or containers quickly and reliably.
You can store data across multiple regions with high availability and low latency.
Managed databases are available, including MongoDB, Kafka, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
The platform guarantees 99.99% uptime and ensures reliable app availability.
Free support is included, with an option to upgrade for dedicated assistance.

Learn more: How to Upload WordPress Media Files to DigitalOcean

Scaleway Overview

Scaleway is a reliable cloud provider offering services like object storage, compute instances and database solutions. It is known for its European data centers and a strong focus on data sovereignty. Scaleway provides multi-AZ storage to ensure high availability and data durability.

Scaleway supports Amazon S3 compatibility, making it easy to migrate and manage data across multiple cloud platforms. It offers predictable pricing and tools like Terraform and CLI for developers. This makes it a popular choice for businesses needing scalable, secure, and affordable cloud storage.

When comparing Scaleway vs DigitalOcean, Scaleway stands out for its European presence and advanced multi-AZ resiliency. DigitalOcean, however, is preferred for simplicity and global reach. Both platforms have unique strengths, catering to different user needs.

Features of Scaleway

Data is stored across multiple zones. This ensures high availability even during disasters.
Your data stays within Europe, complying with strict local regulations.
Scaleway supports any Amazon S3-compatible client. This includes like aws-cli, s3cmd, minio-cli, and more.
Offers 99.999999999% data durability and 99.9% availability for critical applications.
You can choose between Multi-AZ, Glacier, or One Zone – IA storage options. Each option is created to fit different storage needs.
It is built to manage petabyte-scale data efficiently. It offers low latency and speeds of up to 100Gb/s.
It includes features like erasure coding and Object Lock. These ensure your data remains secure.
You only pay for what you use and can manage costs with lifecycle management options.
You can manage and monitor storage easily using the Scaleway Console, CLI, and Terraform.
Technical support is available anytime to assist with your issues.

Learn More: How to Offload WordPress Media Files to Scaleway

Detailed Comparison: Scaleway vs DigitalOcean

When comparing Scaleway vs DigitalOcean, both cloud platforms offer reliable object storage and scalable services. But they differ in a few areas.

Scaleway focuses on high availability with its Multi-AZ and Glacier storage options. It also offers built-in resiliency against disasters with a 99.999999999% data durability. On the other hand, DigitalOcean’s Spaces Object Storage is highly scalable. It can handle high requests per second and includes a built-in CDN to improve data delivery speeds.

Scaleway provides a more European-centric experience, with data centers in Paris, Amsterdam, and Warsaw. It offers S3-compatible storage and supports tools like Veeam and ATEMPO. DigitalOcean, however, is known for its simplicity, easy-to-use interfaces, and ability to migrate data with Flexify.IO.

The choice between Scaleway and DigitalOcean depends on your needs. Here’s a detailed comparison of Scaleway vs DigitalOcean on various key points that can help you decide your preferred one:

Storage Options

Scaleway: Scaleway offers storage types like Multi-AZ, Glacier, and One Zone – IA. It ensures high availability and exceptional data durability, achieving 99.999999999% durability.
DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean includes Spaces Object Storage, which is ideal for high-performance needs. It supports scalability and features a built-in CDN to improve data delivery.

Pricing

Scaleway: Scaleway offers many pricing plans to suit different needs. For example, their Dedibox plans are designed for various use cases. The Start Range is ideal for small applications or testing, with prices starting at €8.99/month for the START-2-S-SATA model. This plan includes 2 CPU cores, 4 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of HDD storage, making it perfect for low-budget or pre-production environments.
DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean provides flexible pricing for its services. Droplets, its virtual machines, start at $4 per month, offering fast deployment and scalability. GPU Droplets, built for AI and ML tasks, cost $2.50 per GPU per hour. It provides some other plans so that you can pick as you need.

Data Migration

Scaleway: You can easily migrate data between Scaleway and other cloud providers with S3 compatibility. Tools like Veeam and Atempo are available for backup and recovery tasks.
DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean uses Flexify.IO to migrate data without downtime. It offers a free DIY option or paid services for more complex transfers.

Performance

Scaleway: Designed for high-performance applications, offering low latency and fast speeds up to 100Gb/s.
DigitalOcean: Optimized for high read and write operations, supporting up to 1500 RPS per client IP address. Its built-in CDN helps improve performance by caching assets across 200+ servers globally.

User Interface & Usability

Scaleway: Scaleway offers an easy-to-use console that integrates with CLI and Terraform for efficient management and monitoring. This allows users to easily control and automate their storage and cloud resources.
DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean also features a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to manage and scale storage. It further supports integration with S3 tools, enhancing its capabilities for better storage management and flexibility.

Security & Data Protection

Scaleway: Scaleway ensures data protection by offering features like erasure coding for data redundancy, Object Lock to ensure data immutability, and Identity & Access Management (IAM) for secure access control. These tools help safeguard your data and prevent unauthorized modifications.
DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean, on the other hand, focuses on secure storage with its built-in Content Delivery Network (CDN), which ensures fast and safe content delivery. It also provides reliable backup and file-sharing options to ensure data safety and ease of access.

Support & Reliability

Scaleway: Offers 24/7 support and guarantees 99.9% service availability on its Standard storage class.
DigitalOcean: Guarantees 99.99% uptime for reliable app availability. Free support is included, with the option to upgrade to dedicated assistance for more personalized help.

Global Reach

Scaleway: Offers data centers in Europe, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Warsaw, ensuring strong European sovereignty for data.
DigitalOcean: Provides globally distributed servers for fast data delivery, backed by its CDN for improved performance and reduced latency.

Scalability

Scaleway: Well-suited for businesses requiring large-scale data storage with low latency and high throughput.
DigitalOcean: Ideal for scalable applications, offering managed Kubernetes and Droplets for easy web and VPS hosting. It’s designed for flexibility with an easy scaling process.

Additional Features

Scaleway: Supports various storage classes like Glacier, Multi-AZ, Glacier, and One Zone – IA and has a strong European presence for data sovereignty.
DigitalOcean: Provides video streaming, AI model training storage, and fast software delivery via its CDN. It also includes managed databases like MongoDB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.

Comparison Table: Scaleway vs DigitalOcean

Here’s a detailed comparison of Scaleway vs DigitalOcean. This table ensures an easy comparison between Scalway and DigitalOcean.

Feature	Scaleway	DigitalOcean
Storage Types	Multi-AZ, Glacier, One Zone – IA	Spaces Object Storage (S3-compatible)
Data Durability	99.999999999% (11 nines)	High performance, scalable for high-demand applications
Pricing	Starts at €8.99/month for Dedibox Start Range	Starts at $5/month for Spaces with 250GiB and 1TiB transfer
Support	24/7 support with options for dedicated assistance	Free support, with options to upgrade
Data Migration	Easy with S3 compatibility and tools like Veeam & ATEMPO	Uses Flexify.IO for migration without downtime
Interface	Simple console with CLI and Terraform integration	User-friendly interface, S3 tools integration
Security Features	Erasure coding, IAM, Object Lock, data versioning	Built-in CDN, secure storage, reliable backups
Performance	Low latency, up to 100Gb/s throughput	Supports 1500 RPS per IP, CDN for faster delivery
Use Cases	Ideal for AI, ML, backup, and big data analytics	Best for high-performance applications and media delivery

Which One is Better Comparing to Scaleway VS DigitalOcean?

When comparing Scaleway vs DigitalOcean, the choice depends on your specific needs. Both platforms offer strong cloud services, but their features cater to different types of users.

Scaleway is ideal for those looking for flexible pricing plans, high performance, and data sovereignty, especially in Europe. It’s multi-AZ resiliency and AI-focused solutions make it a great choice for businesses handling large datasets or complex applications.

DigitalOcean, on the other hand, is often favored for its simplicity, scalability, and ease of use. It’s well-suited for developers and businesses that want a reliable and user-friendly platform for web and application hosting.

Ultimately, both platforms are great options, and the decision comes down to the specific requirements of your project. If you’re focused on European data sovereignty, advanced cloud features, or AI applications, Scaleway could be the right choice. However, if you need fast setup, scalability, and a more intuitive experience for managing storage and apps, DigitalOcean may suit you better.

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Final Words

Both Scaleway and DigitalOcean are strong cloud service providers that offer reliable features to suit different user needs. Scaleway is known for its flexibility, high-performance features, and multi-cloud compatibility, especially in Europe.

DigitalOcean, on the other hand, offers a user-friendly platform with scalable solutions that cater to developers and small businesses. It simplifies cloud management with an easy-to-navigate interface and built-in CDN support. Both platforms are great choices, and which one you choose depends on the specific needs of your project.

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Written by

Mehrin Ferdous Meem

Mehrin is a content writer of ThemeDev who prefers to write about tech products, travelling, health, food, lifestyle, marketing, technology etc. She also works for creating video. She has completed her Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering. Her hobbies include blogging, reading, cooking etc.

Scaleway vs DigitalOcean: Which Should You Choose