Mobile and app development has come a long way since the inception of the internet and the growth of social media. For those who are interested in developing their own app, finding the right hosting solution is often one of the first major decisions you will need to make.

One hosting solution that is designed for web and app development in mind is DigitalOcean. DigitalOcean is a large and expansive hosting provider that offers five private virtual server plans that deliver environments suitable for app development, design, and testing. 

If you are new to app development or if you are in the market for the best cloud hosting solution for app development available, we have a list for you. In our list, you will find our top Digital Ocean alternatives along with what makes each ideal for hosting and development purposes today.

What Does DigitalOcean Provide?

DigitalOcean is not a typical web hosting provider. Instead, DigitalOcean focuses its approach on appealing to web and app developers who are seeking an all-in-one cloud hosting solution for their projects. With DigitalOcean, it is possible to take advantage of the following features:

• Access to reliable cloud hosting, eliminating the need to obtain an alternative hosting solution for your web or app development project.
• Leverage a variety of developer tools and web applications. frameworks to assist you throughout all areas of your current project.
• Gain access to various CMS, or content management systems in addition to eCommerce solutions to fit with your current venture project and any goals you have set in place. 
• Manage costs and billing in one central location, making it easier than ever to review finances and scale as needed.

Using DigitalOcean provides access to the following:

• 99.9% uptime guarantee
• 40GbE hypervisor connections
• Global data centers and connections
• DNS solutions
• Alerts & monitoring system
• Cloud firewalls
• Easily accessible API
• Enterprise SSDs for larger projects and ventures.
• Access to more than 3,000 open-source community tutorials for developers is available to all DigitalOcean users. 

Types of Hosting Solutions for Developers

If you are in the process of building a new web or mobile application and you are in the market for a hosting provider, it is important to understand the differences between available options.

While there are standard and traditional web hosting solutions that typically include private, dedicated, or shared servers, there are also cloud solutions, which are oftentimes more suitable for those who are web developers or app developers. 

Cloud Hosting Solutions

Some of the most notable features of cloud hosting that stand out include:

• The ability to manage hosting from any location, even remotely, and without investing in your own servers or hosting equipment
• The ability to scale without investing additional funds in new server equipment and upgrades in-house
• Faster scaling capabilities, which is optimal for larger corporations and ventures
• Not relying on one singular server and instead, using a host of servers in the cloud to optimize the performance of your website and application load time
• Pay as you go options, which can help with saving money if you are unsure of the type of plan you require for your application or web development project. 

Whenever you opt for cloud hosting, it is imperative to seek out a host that is not only trusted, but also reliable with an uptime guarantee. Because you will not have physical servers in your possession, a reliable and well-known cloud host is best to prevent downtime or unexpected crashes. 

Traditional Web Hosting Solutions 

Traditional web hosting can be found anywhere you look online, even if you are searching for free web hosting services. With traditional web hosting solutions, it is important to keep the following in mind:

• You will need to choose between dedicated, shared, or private servers, depending on the web hosting provider you settle on. Shared hosting will require you to share bandwidth with other users who are also subscribed to a similar web hosting plan with your chosen provider. A private or dedicated server will only allow bandwidth to be used by your website's visitors, which is ideal for larger or more popular websites. 
• Using traditional web hosting solutions, including shared hosting, can lead to an increase in security breaches and/or attempted hacks.  
• You will be sharing resources with other users who are also on the same shared hosting plan as you, which can quickly deplete resources, causing your website to load and run much slower than usual.

For local websites or smaller companies, a traditional web host is often a suitable option. However, if you are in the process of creating an application or developing a new smartphone app, turning to cloud solutions and DigitalOcean alternatives is highly recommended. 

DigitalOcean Alternatives 

1. Kamatera

Kamatera is a well-known cloud hosting alternative to DigitalOcean that offers plenty of flexibility and high-performance hosting. Choose between both private networks as well as cloud servers with Kamatera.

Features

Some of the most notable features that make Kamatera a great alternative to DigitalOcean include:

• 24/7 support is also available with a telephone support system.
• Manage cloud services that reduce manual labor demand and provide more time to focus on what is most important for your business
• Disaster recovery services for those who experience equipment failures or security breaches, including actions such as cybersecurity attacks
• Cloud block storage for those who are thinking of scaling down their hosting plan over time with their current app development project
• A load balancer is included to ensure that any and all servers you are using with Kamatera are always balanced and optimized for ideal performance, even during peak traffic hours.

Ease of Use

Whenever you are in the market for a new cloud host for app developers, you are likely to want to know how easy the solutions are to use. With Kamatera, it is possible for beginners to get started with the service. Some of the ease of use features that come with the Kamatera hosting services include:

• Rapid setup and configuration: Once you choose the package you would like for your hosting needs, Kamatera will complete the setup process in just a matter of minutes. You can also use Kamatera to assist with migrations that only require minutes, rather than hours or days.
• Built-in dashboard: Once you have an account with Kamatera, you will be provided with a handy built-in dashboard that allows you to manage your projects and app development from just about anywhere.
• Managed services and support: With Kamatera, it is possible to opt for managed services to reduce manual labor and effort on your behalf. Additionally, 24/7 support is also available for all customers of Kamatera, regardless of the plan or package you choose. 

Company Behind the Product & Support

Kamatera was originally founded and established in 1995, and is an international IT-based provider with 13 global data centers worldwide. 

Currently, all users of Kamatera gain immediate access to the 24/7 support system provided by the host. Kamatera also goes above and beyond when it comes to providing customer support, with a 24/7 telephone line that is also open to those in need. 

Pricing

Kamatera operates in a similar fashion as other cloud hosting providers, typically charging customers as they go depending on the services they require. Kamatera pricing is currently based on how many CPUs you require, how much RAM your servers use, as well as the amount of SSD storage you need to get started. Some examples of pricing from Kamatera include:

• $4 a month for 1 CPU, 20 GB SSD, and 1024 MB RAM
• $45 per month for 2 CPUs, 350 GB SSD, and 4096 MB RAM.

These plans go up to $214 per month, $1,534 per month, and beyond to suit individual and corporate needs. There are also additional upsells available from Kamatera including system add-ons, managed hosting services, and even extended daily

Competitors

A major competitor of Kamatera is Vultr, which arguably offers hosting packages for a more affordable price and offers a range of services that may not be available from Kamatera yet. 

2. Vultr

Another top contender for a DigitalOcean alternative is Vultr, a leading cloud developer that is optimal for local and global clients alike. This cloud hosting provider is affordable, with plans starting at as low as $2.50 per month. 

Vultr offers a wide range of services, whether you are searching for traditional cloud computing services, a dedicated cloud, or even dedicated servers with block storage.

Features

Some features that help Vultr to stand out amongst the best in the industry include:

• Ability to use whether you are building a local or a global widespread app
• Cloud computing solutions
• Bare metal dedicated servers available
• Enterprise-class security for international clients 
• Multi-device usage, allowing you the ability to access and adjust your servers from smartphones, tablets, or a desktop computer
• Multiple operating system support for Windows, CoreOS, Ubuntu, and more. It is also possible to utilize your very own ISO for your own servers and operating system combination preferences. 
• Top-notch performance: The Vultr network is known for its performance and ability to host and deploy projects globally. From Detroit to London, you can count on Vultr with any type and size of the project you are currently developing.
• Privacy and security: If privacy and security are important to you, Vultr delivers. Vultr uses state-of-the-art technologies to ensure that the security is top-notch for all users by deploying segmentation across multiple networks.

Ease of Use

Using Vultr is easy enough, although it is best to work with Vultr once you are familiar with cloud hosting and managing app development solutions remotely. Vultr provides easy accessibility to its users in the following ways:

• Multi-device connections: With Vultr, you can access and manage your server(s) from just about anywhere as long as you have a secured wireless internet connection. Use a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone device to manage your hosting solution with Vultr. 
• Built-in dashboard: Vultr provides a comprehensive dashboard that is intuitive and designed with team management in mind. Use a single sign-in function to manage server health, tasks, and API access from one central location. 

Company Behind the Product & Support

Vultr was originally founded in 2014 by David Aninowsky, who has been working in the infrastructure business since 1996. 

Pricing

Pricing for Vultr is also affordable and can be scaled to suit your needs and the traffic demands of your website. Pricing with Vultr begins at $2.50 per month and includes 512 MB of RAM and 10 GB SSD of hard drive storage space. Additional plans available with Vultr include:

• $20 per month for 4GB of RAM and 80 GB of SSD storage space. This plan also includes 3TB of bandwidth monthly as well as access to 2 CPUs.
• $640 per month (Enterprise clients) will receive 96 GB of RAM, 1600 GB of SSD storage space, access to up to 24 CPUs monthly, as well as 15TB of bandwidth each month. 

Competitors

A top competitor of Vultr has to be Kamatera, even if just for the competitive pricing rates. 

3. Google Cloud

Everyone has heard of Google. But, have you heard of Google Cloud? Google Cloud is a hosting solution that provides powerful high-performance hosting solutions that are ideal for those with heavy workloads or robust app development projects in the works.

Features

Features that help Google Cloud make this list of top DigitalOcean alternatives include:

• Extensive network: Currently, Google Cloud services are available in more than 200 countries, providing broader access to all users.
• Top-notch infrastructure: Choose between a multi-cloud network, an on-premise server, or opt to create your own with a custom hybrid network that works for you.
• Modern technologies: With Google Cloud, you will always have access to today's state-of-the-art technologies.
• Privacy and security: Using Google Cloud is ideal for those who have privacy and security concerns. Google provides top-notch security from the top down for all users, regardless of the package or plans you are using. 

Ease of Use

Getting started with Google Cloud does not require extensive programming knowledge, but it may require a bit of a learning curve if you are not familiar with Google Dashboards. Google Cloud includes simple controls that allow you to check analytics in real-time to gain valuable insight into the traffic flow and overall engagement on your website or application. 

Company Behind the Product & Support

Google, the parent entity of Google Cloud, was originally launched in 1998 by Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Google Cloud support is available via a ticket system and email. 

Pricing

Google Cloud is not as cheap as Kamatera or Vultr for beginners, but it is affordable in the grand scheme of cloud hosting for developers. Some of the plans that are currently available from Google Cloud include:

• $16 per month for 3.75 GB of RAM.
• $62 per month for 15 GB of RAM and access to a total of 4 CPUs
• $124 per month for 30 GB of RAM and access to up to 8 CPUs

For beginner plans with Google Cloud, it is important to note that the cost of bandwidth is calculated separately from the initial plan cost. Bandwidth for beginner plans with Google Cloud will run $.12 per GB used for bandwidth per month. Storage is also calculated on a case-by-case basis, starting at $.02 per GB of additional storage needed per month. 

Competitors

Google Cloud is competing with most top developer hosts available today. In terms of performance and quality, Google Cloud is a top competitor to Amazon Web Services and Vultr. 

4. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

AWS, or Amazon Web Services, has also entered the competitive industry of app and web development hosting providers. With a range of server farms and hosting solutions, it is no surprise that AWS makes this list. 

Features

• Virtual computing options that are designed with remote access in mind
• Computing clusters to optimize performance and minimize server load, regardless of the size of your development project
• Automatic scaling is also available for those who are subscribers of Amazon EC2
• Access to additional commercial software options at discounted or free rates
• Multi-system support for those working on Windows, Centos, Debian, or even Linux

Ease of Use

Amazon's AWS solution is easy for those familiar with the platform, and are also suitable for hands-on enterprise clients or clients who prefer complete control over their server customization. 

Company Behind the Product & Support

Amazon was originally founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994. For those in need of support with AWS, ticket and email services are available. 

Pricing

With Amazon, you can choose from a variety of payment models: Savings plans, on-demand services, dedicated hosting, reserved instances, and spot instances. 

Pricing for AW begins at $.00255 per hour for access to 1 CPU with EBS-only storage and a total of 2GB of memory. Additional plans include:

• $.0192 per hour for 16 GB of memory, EBS-only storage, and access to up to 4 CPUs 
• $0.412 per hour for 1 x 300 NVMe SSD access, 32 GB of memory, and access to up to 8 CPUs

Competitors

The biggest competitor for AWS on the market today is Google Cloud due to its global expansion.

Out of all of our DigitalOcean alternatives, our favorite contender has to be Vultr for those who are getting started with app development.

What is your favorite DigitalOcean alternative and why? Let us know in the comments below.