Hetzner vs. Linode (2025): The German PRICE JUGGERNAUT vs. The Global Network TITAN... Who Wins?
One offers legendary price-to-performance, a favorite for budget-conscious power users. The other, now backed by Akamai, boasts a massive global network and a polished developer experience. This is a clash of two very different, yet powerful, philosophies.
At a Glance: The Final Verdict
| Feature | Hetzner | Linode (Akamai) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price & Raw Performance | ★★★★★ Legendary | ★★★★☆ Very Good | Hetzner |
| Global Reach & Network | ★★★☆☆ Good | ★★★★★ Excellent | Linode |
| Interface & Ease of Use | ★★★★☆ Very Good | ★★★★★ Excellent | Linode |
| Bandwidth & Traffic | ★★★★★ Excellent | ★★★☆☆ Good | Hetzner |
| Overall | 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.7 / 5.0 | Linode |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Hetzner | Linode (Akamai) |
|---|---|---|
| Management Level | Unmanaged | Unmanaged |
| CPU Technology | AMD EPYC / Intel Xeon | AMD EPYC |
| Backups | Paid Add-on (20% of server cost) | Paid Add-on |
| Data Centers | 5 Locations | 20+ Locations (Akamai Network) |
| Primary Value | Price-to-Performance | Balanced Platform & Network |
Performance & Benchmarks
Hetzner provides market-leading raw CPU power, while Linode offers extremely consistent and reliable performance across its global network.
Hetzner
Hetzner is famous for its raw compute power. For a very low price, you get access to powerful AMD EPYC cores that excel at multi-threaded tasks. Geekbench scores are consistently high (~1400+ on cheap plans), making it a beast for compiling, processing, and heavy workloads.
Legendary CPU Value
Linode (Akamai)
Linode provides excellent, well-balanced performance with modern AMD EPYC CPUs. While raw benchmarks might be slightly behind Hetzner's best, its key strength is consistency and the power of the Akamai network, ensuring low latency and fast throughput globally.
Consistent Global Speed
Pricing & Value Comparison
| Plan (Closest Price) | Provider | vCPU | RAM | Storage | Bandwidth | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPX11 | Hetzner | 2 AMD vCPU | 2 GB | 40 GB | 20 TB | ~€4.87 |
| Shared CPU 2GB | Linode | 1 vCPU | 2 GB | 50 GB | 2 TB | $12.00 |
Who Should You Choose?
Choose Hetzner if...
Your absolute top priority is getting the maximum amount of CPU power, RAM, and bandwidth for the lowest possible price. If your users are primarily in Europe or the US and you need a workhorse server for heavy computing tasks, nothing on the market beats Hetzner's incredible value proposition.
Visit HetznerChoose Linode (Akamai) if...
You need a balanced, reliable, and easy-to-use platform with a true global reach. If your application needs low latency for users across multiple continents and you value a polished interface and predictable performance, Linode's integration with the Akamai network makes it the superior choice.
Visit LinodeExpert's Advice
This is a battle of two developer favorites with different strengths. Hetzner is the undisputed king of price-to-performance; the sheer power you get for your money is astounding. However, this comes at the cost of a limited global footprint. Linode, powered by Akamai, is the clear winner for global applications, offering a more balanced and polished platform that's easy to scale worldwide. For pure, raw value, Hetzner is unbeatable. For a stable, scalable global platform, Linode is the smarter long-term choice.
