We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
Scaleway is listed as a fit for European cloud regions, managed Kubernetes and GPU-based AI infrastructure, with pricing from $50 and a free plan. But one Reddit user said a pricing update pushed them to try Hetzner, citing unclear costs and missing features. If pricing clarity is the main issue, start with Hetzner or DigitalOcean. If Kubernetes, GPU or managed app workflows matter more, compare Akamai Cloud, Vultr and the deployment-focused options below.
01Why people leave Scaleway
Pricing clarity is a concern
One Reddit user said a Scaleway pricing update pushed them to try Hetzner, citing unclear pricing and concern about hidden fees.
Missing cloud management features
That user said Hetzner offered monitoring graphs, backups and private networks they missed in Scaleway.
Managed Kubernetes may matter
A commenter said Hetzner lacked managed Kubernetes the last time they checked—a potential gap if Scaleway's managed Kubernetes is central to your setup.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Price-conscious cloud
Hetzner CloudHetzner CloudHetzner is the closest price-led comparison here, starting at $5.99. In one Reddit thread, users praised its clearer pricing, monitoring graphs, backups and private networks versus Scaleway. If your frustration is understanding the bill or managing everyday cloud workloads, those are direct reasons to compare it. The same thread flags a possible managed-Kubernetes gap.
Trade-off: A Reddit commenter said managed Kubernetes was missing the last time they checked.
6.9/10from
€5.99/mo - One cloud account
DigitalOceanDigitalOceanDigitalOcean starts at $4 and is listed for developers who want one cloud account, teams deploying apps and AI agents, and small projects starting on low-cost compute. It is a practical shortlist option if you want to bring app and infrastructure needs together rather than compare only server prices. The pricing page warns that add-ons and usage can raise the bill.
Trade-off: Add-ons and usage can push the bill above the starting price.
6.8/10from
$4/mofree plan - Kubernetes and GPUs
Akamai CloudAkamai CloudAkamai Cloud is listed for teams needing multiple cloud service types, Kubernetes and container workloads, or GPU and low-latency applications. That makes it worth comparing if you are leaving Scaleway but still need more than basic compute. Its listed starting price is not published, so check the full bill before treating it as a cheaper move.
Trade-off: Starting price is not published; check the full bill.
6.0/10from
$100/mo - Flexible infrastructure
VultrVultrVultr is positioned for flexible cloud infrastructure, hourly compute comparisons, GPU workloads and bare metal. It is a fit to investigate if your Scaleway usage is infrastructure-heavy and you want to compare more than standard cloud servers. Its starting price is not published on the vendor's site, so get plan and support details before planning a migration.
Trade-off: Starting price is not published; verify plan details and support expectations.
7.7/10from
Custom - Managed app stack
RenderRenderRender starts at $25 and is listed for teams deploying several app components, using pull-request previews, or needing managed workflows and databases. Consider it if your reason for leaving Scaleway is the work of operating application services, not a need to match every infrastructure option. The listing says to budget for compute on top of the workspace plan.
Trade-off: Budget for compute in addition to the workspace plan.
7.8/10from
$25/mofree plan - Managed deployments
VercelVercelVercel starts at $20 and is listed for teams prioritizing managed deployments, Next.js developer experience, and AI or sandbox infrastructure. It is a more focused option if your Scaleway workloads are chiefly application deployments rather than general cloud infrastructure. The pricing page cautions that metered usage can add cost beyond the Pro plan.
Trade-off: Metered usage can add cost beyond the $20 Pro plan.
7.4/10from
$20/mofree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Scaleway Scaleway (current) | 6.3 | €50/mo | Yes | Teams seeking European cloud regions |
| Hetzner Cloud Hetzner Cloud | 6.9 | €5.99/mo | No | Small apps and services |
| DigitalOcean DigitalOcean | 6.8 | $4/mo | Yes | Developers who want one cloud account |
| Akamai Cloud Akamai Cloud | 6.0 | $100/mo | No | Teams needing multiple cloud service types |
| Vultr Vultr | 7.7 | Custom | No | Developers needing flexible cloud infrastructure |
| Render Render | 7.8 | $25/mo | Yes | Teams deploying several app components |
| Vercel Vercel | 7.4 | $20/mo | Yes | Teams prioritizing managed deployments |
Questions people ask
Why are people leaving Scaleway?
One Reddit user said a pricing update led them to try Hetzner, and described Scaleway pricing as unclear. They also said they missed monitoring graphs, backups and private networks. That is one user's account, not proof that every Scaleway customer will hit the same issues.
Which Scaleway alternative is the cheapest?
Among the listed alternatives with published starting prices, DigitalOcean starts at $4, Hetzner Cloud at $5.99, Vercel at $20, and Render at $25. Those are entry prices, not a like-for-like estimate for your workload. Akamai Cloud and Vultr have no starting price published on the pricing page.
Which alternative should I consider for Kubernetes or GPUs?
Akamai Cloud is listed for Kubernetes, containerized workloads and GPU applications. Vultr is listed for GPU or bare-metal workloads. A Reddit commenter said Hetzner lacked managed Kubernetes the last time they checked. The published details do not establish that any of these options match Scaleway's European regions.