In today’s digitalized era we are way past traditional servers that require manual setups and management.
Cloud computing has taken the world by storm and is reigning in the hosting industry on a large scale. Two big names stand out the most when it comes to cloud server providers: DigitalOcean and AWS (Amazon Web Services).
DigitalOcean vs. AWS is a debate as long as time. DigitalOcean, a humble yet daring startup plays into its strengths against the established AWS, a market leader by Amazon.
While both have a lot of useful features and functions, they are popular for different types of audiences and have their strengths.
What is a cloud server?
“Cloud servers” are virtual servers that are part of the cloud computing system.
A cloud server doesn’t live on an actual server but operates within a network of physical and virtual servers hosted by a cloud service provider, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or others.
Its many benefits include:
- Easily adjusts to server resources without new hardware
- Only need to pay for utilized resources
- Ensures constant accessibility
- Self-service management tools for rapid deployment, better performance, and customization
- Automated solutions to reduce data loss and downtime
- Reliable cyber security tools to protect data and infrastructure
DigitalOcean: An Overview
Launched in 2011, DigitalOcean is a leading startup cloud hosting provider that focuses only on developers’ needs and SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses). This is unlike Amazon’s AWS which follows a everything-to-all-people approach.
Over the years, DigitalOcean has seen massive growth and attracted large amounts of venture capital funding.
Given their focused group of users, they are called the “developer cloud”. Their purpose is to equip users with the tools they need to make, launch, and grow their apps.
DigitalOcean is a cost-effective and dependable option with the following features:
- IaaS and PaaS: It provides both Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and some Platform as a Service (PaaS) options, offering virtual machines for application building and pre-configured environments.
- Simple and affordable: It has a user-friendly interface and is ideal for beginners or those with a low budget.
- Developer-Focused: They provide developer-centric features such as one-click deployments, a comprehensive API, and active involvement in the open-source community.
Their 3 USPs include: pricing, high-performance virtual machines, and simplicity. Their prices are extremely affordable, even to very small developer setups.
Perfect for beginners, DigitalOcean offers a user-friendly and uncomplicated setup. It is targeted at developers and only offers machines running some version of the Linux operating system and related services. Moreover, their services allow you to easily scale your resources up or down as per your needs change.
However, while they excel in virtual machines, they lack a wider range of services such as content delivery networks (CDNs) or advanced database solutions.
Amazon Web Services (AWS): An Overview
Known as the “Colossus of Cloud Computing”, Amazon’s AWS is the market leader with a computing capacity matching that of 11 competitors – combined. Amazon currently owns the largest data centers in the world.
Unlike DigitalOcean, AWS is a general-purpose cloud computing platform with a broad set of services. These services include computing power, storage options, networking, databases, machine learning, analytics, security, and more.
Their most known features include:
- Scalable storage services
- Database and warehousing services
- Isolated and dedicated virtual networks
- Machine learning and AI features
- High-level cyber security and compliance certifications
- Large-scale data processing, real-time data streaming, and interactive query analysis.
One of their biggest advantages is their ability to scale resources as needed, saving costs compared to maintaining physical infrastructure. With more than 200 services spanning databases, networking, security, analytics, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computing, AWS makes complicated app creation simpler.
Which cloud server is better for you?
While both servers offer a range of industry-level services with state-of-the-art features, they both cater to different audiences. If you are a developer, startup, or SMB looking for a simple, cost-effective, and developer-friendly cloud solution – go for DigitalOcean. However, if you need a wider range of services for complex applications with maximum security and more technical expertise, then AWS is your best bet.
It’s important to remember that given its vast service offerings, AWS has a steeper learning curve.
Scaling your application on AWS is relatively straightforward. It offers numerous complementary technologies that allow your web application to handle massive amounts of traffic and serve a global audience. Its also important to cover all options for cybersecurity for small businesses.
When it comes to getting support and fixing issues, DigitalOcean has developed a stellar reputation with 3 tiers of support – Developer Support, Business Support, and Premier Support.
Remember: DigitalOcean is not an Amazon competitor. They both target different groups and have a straightforward strategy.
OmniCaas emerges as a White-Label UCaaS solution for MSPs. To learn more about cloud servers and take your business to the next level, connect with the experts at OmniCaaS.
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