Linode VPS Review (2025): The ORIGINAL Developer Cloud... Still The Best After Akamai?
Linode was a pioneer in cloud hosting for developers. Now backed by Akamai's massive global network, is it still the top choice for those who need raw power and control?
Overall Rating
Linode: The Unfiltered Pros & Cons
The Winning Features
- Elite Performance: Blazing-fast CPUs and NVMe storage for top-tier speed.
- Predictable, Simple Pricing: No complex billing; what you see is what you pay.
- Powered by Akamai: Leverages one of the world's largest and fastest networks.
- Developer-Centric Tools: Powerful API, command-line tools, and integrations.
- Excellent 24/7 Support: Highly technical support team that understands developers' needs.
The Drawbacks
- Steep Learning Curve: This is a true unmanaged service, not for beginners.
- No Hand-Holding: Support is technical, not a managed service that will fix your code.
- No cPanel/Plesk: You must install and manage your own control panel.
- Add-ons Cost Extra: Features like backups and object storage are paid extras.
Performance Test: Is It Still a Beast?
We tested a 2GB standard plan. The performance is phenomenal. Linode consistently delivers some of the fastest CPU benchmarks in the industry, and their NVMe storage provides incredible disk I/O. Since the Akamai acquisition, network performance is even better, with extremely low latency across the globe. For raw power and speed, Linode remains an absolute beast.
Dashboard & Control Panel
Linode's Cloud Manager is clean, fast, and powerful. It's designed for developers, providing easy access to deploy servers, manage networking, and configure storage. It's not a beginner's tool like cPanel, but for its target audience, it's one of the best custom panels available. Everything is also controllable via their robust API.
Shared CPU Pricing
| Plan | RAM | CPU Cores | NVMe Storage | Price/Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanode 1GB (Best Value) | 1 GB | 1 Core | 25 GB | $5.00 |
| Linode 2GB | 2 GB | 1 Core | 50 GB | $12.00 |
| Linode 4GB | 4 GB | 2 Cores | 80 GB | $24.00 |
| Linode 8GB | 8 GB | 4 Cores | 160 GB | $48.00 |
Linode vs. The Competition
| Feature | Linode (Akamai) | Vultr | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Ease of Use | For Developers | For Developers | For Developers |
| Unique Advantage | Akamai Network | High-Frequency Plans | App Marketplace |
| Pricing Model | Simple & Predictable | Simple & Predictable | Simple & Predictable |
| Starting Price | $5.00 | $2.50 | $4.00 |
Final Verdict: Is Linode Still The Best?
Yes. Choose Linode if...
You are a developer, system administrator, or startup that needs top-tier, reliable performance with predictable pricing. If you are comfortable with the command line and want a powerful cloud platform without the insane complexity and billing of AWS or Google Cloud, Linode is not just a great choice—it's one of the best in the world.
