1. Introduction
When it comes to cloud VPS hosting, choosing the right provider is crucial for both cost-efficiency and optimal performance. Vultr and Linode are two of the most well-established names in this space. Both offer scalable virtual servers, developer-friendly tools, and competitive global networks.
In this Vultr vs Linode comparison, we dive deep into performance metrics, pricing models, features, and more—helping you make a data-driven decision for your project in 2025.
2. Company Overview
Vultr
Founded: 2014
HQ: West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Highlights: Broad global presence, NVMe storage, custom ISOs, and a wide range of instance types
Linode (now part of Akamai)
Founded: 2003
HQ: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Highlights: Strong community reputation, predictable pricing, long-standing reliability
3. Server Locations
Feature | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
Number of Locations | 32+ | 15+ |
Global Coverage | North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Australia | North America, Europe, Asia |
New Regions (2025) | São Paulo, Johannesburg | Chennai, Jakarta |
🌍 Verdict: Vultr offers broader geographic coverage, making it ideal for global applications.
4. Instance Types and Specs
Vultr Offerings
Cloud Compute (Standard)
High Frequency Compute (NVMe + 3GHz+ CPUs)
Optimized Cloud Compute (dedicated vCPUs)
Bare Metal Servers
Linode Offerings
Shared CPU Instances
Dedicated CPU Instances
High Memory Plans
GPU Instances (NVIDIA RTX 6000)
🖥️ Verdict: Both offer flexible instance types, but Vultr’s High Frequency Compute is particularly attractive for high IOPS workloads.
5. Performance Benchmarks (2025 Tests)
Metric | Vultr (HF Compute) | Linode (Dedicated CPU) |
---|---|---|
CPU Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
Disk I/O (NVMe) | ~3000–3500 MB/s | ~1200–1500 MB/s (SSD) |
Network Throughput | 5–10 Gbps | 2–5 Gbps |
Average Latency | Low (due to more PoPs) | Moderate |
📈 Verdict: Vultr delivers better raw performance, particularly in disk I/O and network speeds.
6. Pricing Breakdown
Entry-Level Plan (Shared CPU)
Spec | Vultr Cloud Compute | Linode Shared CPU |
---|---|---|
vCPU | 1 | 1 |
RAM | 1 GB | 1 GB |
Storage | 25 GB SSD | 25 GB SSD |
Bandwidth | 1 TB | 1 TB |
Price (Monthly) | $5 | $5 |
Dedicated CPU Plans
Spec | Vultr Optimized Cloud | Linode Dedicated CPU |
---|---|---|
vCPU | 2 | 2 |
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
Storage | 80 GB NVMe | 80 GB SSD |
Bandwidth | 3 TB | 4 TB |
Price (Monthly) | $24 | $30 |
💰 Verdict: Vultr offers slightly better value, especially with NVMe drives at a lower price point.
7. Features Comparison
Feature | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
Custom ISO Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
One-Click Apps | ✅ 30+ options | ✅ 30+ options |
DDoS Protection | ✅ Available | ✅ Included |
Private Networking | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Cloud Firewall | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Kubernetes (Managed) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Marketplace | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
⚙️ Verdict: Feature parity is strong, but Vultr pulls slightly ahead with ISO flexibility and pricing.
8. Network and Connectivity
Vultr: 10 Gbps and growing. Offers BGP peering, anycast, and direct connect options.
Linode: 40 Gbps in some locations. Part of Akamai Edge Network, offering CDN integration and premium routing.
🌐 Verdict: Linode benefits from Akamai’s network optimizations, making it great for CDN-integrated applications. Vultr leads in raw low-latency throughput.
9. Backup and Snapshot Capabilities
Type | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
Snapshots | ✅ Yes (paid) | ✅ Yes (paid) |
Automatic Backups | ✅ Yes (add-on) | ✅ Yes (add-on) |
Cost | ~$1.50/mo+ | ~$2.00/mo+ |
💾 Verdict: Vultr’s backup pricing is slightly more affordable, but both offer similar backup integrity and scheduling.
10. Developer Tools and APIs
Feature | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
RESTful API | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
CLI Tool | ✅ vCLI | ✅ linode-cli |
Terraform Provider | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
GitHub Integration | ✅ Basic scripts | ✅ Linode Cloud Manager API |
🛠️ Verdict: Both are developer-friendly. Linode has a slight edge with richer open-source integrations and broader documentation.
11. Security and Compliance
Feature | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
2FA Authentication | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Firewall | ✅ Cloud Firewall | ✅ Cloud Firewall |
DDoS Protection | ✅ Available | ✅ Included |
Compliance (HIPAA, SOC2, etc.) | Partial | ✅ Yes (via Akamai) |
🛡️ Verdict: Linode (via Akamai) has broader compliance support, which may be essential for enterprise users.
12. Customer Support
Support Type | Vultr | Linode |
---|---|---|
Ticket System | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Phone Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (business) |
Live Chat | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Documentation | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Extensive |
Community Forums | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
📞 Verdict: Linode wins for support, offering more human interaction options like phone and chat.
13. Use Cases and Ideal Users
Choose Vultr if you:
Need high-performance compute with NVMe SSDs
Want access to more global regions
Prefer flexibility in OS and ISO choices
Are price-sensitive but still want raw power
Choose Linode if you:
Need tight integration with CDN or edge delivery (via Akamai)
Want stronger customer support options
Require enterprise-grade compliance
Prefer a mature ecosystem with long-standing stability
14. Pros and Cons Summary
🔹 Vultr Pros
High-performance NVMe storage
Broader global presence
Competitive pricing
ISO customization
Advanced network tools (BGP, Anycast)
🔻 Vultr Cons
Limited support options
Lacks some enterprise-grade compliance
🔹 Linode Pros
Strong customer support
Enterprise features via Akamai
Consistent, reliable performance
Compliance and certification-ready
🔻 Linode Cons
Slightly more expensive
Fewer data center locations
15. Final Verdict
Both Vultr and Linode offer impressive cloud VPS solutions in 2025. The right choice depends on your use case:
For high-performance compute, global coverage, and flexible configurations, go with Vultr.
For enterprise compliance, edge delivery, and premium support, Linode (Akamai) is ideal.
🏆 Overall Recommendation:
Performance & Pricing Leader: Vultr
Support & Enterprise Leader: Linode
16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Vultr faster than Linode?
Yes, especially for disk I/O and burst performance, thanks to NVMe and High Frequency Compute.
Q2: Which provider has better support?
Linode offers more robust support, including live chat and phone support for higher-tier accounts.
Q3: Can I run Kubernetes on both platforms?
Yes, both offer managed Kubernetes clusters.
Q4: Does Linode use NVMe storage?
Not on all instances. Most use SSDs. NVMe is still more widely available on Vultr.
Q5: Is either provider HIPAA compliant?
Linode (under Akamai) offers compliance documentation. Vultr may require custom configurations.