Linode (Akamai Cloud) review 2026: VPS hosting, compute, storage and Kubernetes pricing from $5/month. Features, plans and top alternatives compared.
Category
Hosting
Pricing
Usage-based, from $5/month
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2003
Headquarters
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (pre-acquisition); now part of Akamai, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Web App
Overview
Linode is a cloud hosting and VPS provider founded in 2003 by Christopher Aker, one of the earliest independent providers of affordable Linux-based virtual machines. It built a two-decade reputation for simple, transparent pricing and strong developer support before being acquired by Akamai Technologies for about $900 million in 2022.
Following the acquisition, Akamai rebranded the platform to Akamai Cloud Computing (Akamai Connected Cloud) in February 2023, integrating Linode's compute, storage, and Kubernetes offerings with Akamai's global edge network, CDN, and security services, while largely preserving Linode's original pricing model and product experience.
Key Features
The platform offers shared-CPU, dedicated-CPU, high-memory, and GPU compute instances, block storage, S3-compatible object storage, managed databases, load balancers (NodeBalancers), and a managed Kubernetes engine (LKE) spanning 41-plus global regions.
Billing is hourly with a monthly cap, so costs never exceed the advertised flat monthly rate, and the platform is known for a minimal, developer-friendly control panel and API alongside human-staffed support.
Pricing
Entry-level shared-CPU compute (Nanode, 1 vCPU/1GB RAM/25GB SSD/1TB transfer) starts at $5 per month. Higher shared-CPU, dedicated-CPU, high-memory, and GPU plans scale up from there, with storage, databases, load balancing, and Kubernetes node pools billed separately as standard compute instances.
New customers are commonly offered promotional cloud credits (often around $100) to trial the platform before committing to paid usage.
Key Features
Shared and dedicated compute instances — Linux VMs ranging from a $5/month Nanode up to large dedicated-CPU and high-memory instances for production workloads.
GPU instances — GPU-enabled compute plans for machine learning training, inference, and other GPU-accelerated workloads.
Managed Kubernetes (LKE) — A managed Kubernetes engine with a free control plane and standard compute-priced worker nodes.
Object and block storage — S3-compatible object storage plus attachable block storage volumes for scalable, durable data storage.
NodeBalancers — Managed load balancers to distribute traffic across multiple compute instances for high availability.
Global data center footprint — 41-plus regions across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America following integration with Akamai's edge network.
Managed databases — Managed MySQL and PostgreSQL database clusters with automated backups and scaling.
Akamai edge and security integration — Post-acquisition access to Akamai's CDN, DDoS protection, and edge security layered on top of core compute.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Simple, transparent, flat-rate pricing that is easy to predict compared to hyperscalers
Long operating history (founded 2003) with a strong reputation for developer trust and support
Now backed by Akamai's global edge network, CDN, and security infrastructure
Straightforward control panel and API that are easy for small teams to adopt quickly
Entry-level compute starts as low as $5/month, competitive with other developer-friendly clouds
Cons
Smaller service catalog than AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud for advanced enterprise and managed services
Post-acquisition rebrand to Akamai Cloud Computing has caused some confusion among long-time Linode users
Fewer regions than the largest hyperscalers, though the footprint has grown under Akamai
GPU and dedicated-CPU instance availability can be more limited than specialized GPU cloud providers
Advanced enterprise features (compliance certifications, enterprise support tiers) are less mature than legacy big-three clouds
Pricing
Nanode (Shared CPU) $5/month Hourly, monthly cap
Shared CPU (higher tiers) From $10/month and up Hourly, monthly cap
Dedicated CPU Varies by instance size Hourly, monthly cap
GPU and High Memory Varies by instance size Hourly, monthly cap
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linode still called Linode
The product is still commonly referred to as Linode, but Akamai completed a corporate rebrand to Akamai Cloud Computing (also called Akamai Connected Cloud) in February 2023 after acquiring the company in 2022.
Who owns Linode now
Linode was acquired by Akamai Technologies for about $900 million in a deal announced in February 2022 and closed in March 2022.
How much does Linode cost
Entry-level shared-CPU compute starts at $5 per month for a Nanode with 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and 25 GB SSD storage, billed hourly with a monthly cap.
What can you host on Linode
Linode supports general-purpose Linux VMs, GPU instances for AI/ML workloads, managed Kubernetes clusters, object and block storage, managed databases, and load balancers.
Who founded Linode
Linode was founded in 2003 by Christopher Aker.
How does Linode compare to DigitalOcean
Both target developers with simple, flat-rate pricing; Linode differentiates itself post-acquisition through Akamai's global edge network and CDN integration, while DigitalOcean remains an independent company with a similar developer-focused product line.