10 Best Linux Cloud Hosts: Easy to Deploy, Easy to Use [2024]

Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure all run on crazy powerful hardware. All of these providers (even Azure) make it possible to build your app or website on a Linux operating system.

But these platforms are incredibly complex to anyone who hasn’t spent a good part of their career learning about servers and how the cloud works. Plus, not everyone in the Linux community trusts “the big three” – so it’s nice to have other options.

That’s why my team and I went through the best cloud hosts we could find to pick the ones that’ll let you spin up a server easily. No matter what your individual requirements are, there’s a little something here for everyone.

My top recommendation is Kamatera since it gives you an incredibly granular level of control over your server’s configuration. However, each of these hosts offers a different experience for users with different needs. So, sign up for Kamatera today or keep reading to find the perfect Linux host for you.

Note: If you’re a Linux newbie, there are some beginner-friendly options, but this whole article is going to be a little nerdy.

What We Look For in the Best Cloud Hosts for Linux

Linux hosting is, you know, everywhere, so it can be hard to choose from so many options. These are the qualities we look for in a Linux-based cloud host to narrow things down for you (and for us):

• Security. Half the point of using Linux is greater security, right? That’s why we like hosts that offer some help in that area, especially if they also throw in some extra security tools for free.
• Good support. Everyone needs help sometimes, even if only to spot that missing semicolon in a config file. The best cloud hosts have trained teams ready to help.
• Convenience. Fun as it is to go full nerd with a server, there are times when you don’t need to make life harder for yourself. That’s why we look for control panel options, managed hosting options, and other ease-of-use features.
• Easy scalability. What’s the point of cloud hosting if you can’t scale it up at a moment’s notice? All of the hosts on this list will let you scale quickly and easily when you’re ready to do so.
• A wide variety of Linux distributions.* The very best cloud hosts will provide you with a number of options to choose from. Some of the beginner-focused options will stick to one, though.

*For newbies, a Linux Distribution (or “distro”) is a customized version of Linux built to the creator’s liking, and usually for a specific purpose. There are hundreds of these, but only like 30 of them are actually any good.

1. Kamatera: The Best of the Best for Linux Cloud Servers1

Kamatera is reasonably priced, offering a great deal on Linux cloud hosting. Although clearly targeted at enterprise customers, it’s affordable enough for just about any small business, as long as you know your way around a virtual server. My experience was that it’s also fast, reliable, and generally a joy to use.

The combination of simplicity and customizability, along with the per-second pricing, puts Kamatera at the top of my list.

Fine-tune your own server plan, choose from 21 different data centers, and get started with the OS of your choice. I’d like to point out that Rocky Linux isn’t listed first here because I like it so much, but because it was first in the dropdown menu.

Distros: Rocky, Alma, CentOS, CloudLinux, Debian, TrueNAS, FreeNAS, openSUSE, Ubuntu.

Bonus: FreeBSD for the Unix fans.

Features

• Control panel options. cPanel and Plesk are both available as paid add-ons. Hey, not everyone wants to know what SSH is.
• Extended daily backups. You get regular backups as a matter of course, and for a small fee, you can add extended backups to restore older versions of specific files, directories, and applications, you’ll need to pay extra.
• Multiple IPs. Use them for extra security, organization, or to flex on everyone who only has one IP. It’s up to you.
• Fully-managed option. Pay extra to have pros manage all of your server’s updates and general maintenance for you.

Read our expert Kamatera review for more details.

2. ScalaHosting: Competitive Managed Linux Cloud Hosting1

Like Kamatera, ScalaHosting offers decent prices on its managed and unmanaged cloud hosting plans. The self-managed option is a bit more expensive in general, but the entry-level managed options are very competitively priced.

Furthermore, the managed hosting service gives you the option of having your cloud server on ScalaHosting’s own infrastructure, or on AWS or Digital Ocean. Whereas the self-managed servers are, as you’d expect, all on ScalaHosting’s hardware.

If the preset builds aren’t to your preference, ScalaHosting also offers the option to spin up your own custom server. In addition to choosing the amount of RAM, memory, and storage space, you can also pick from a list of pre-configured purpose-built servers optimized for computer power, storage, or heavy traffic.

Distros: Rocky, Alma, CentOS 7, Debian, openSUSE, Ubuntu.

Features

• LiteSpeed server software. Want to use your cloud server for some old-fashioned PHP hosting? You can install the LiteSpeed web server during setup and enjoy some surprisingly fast PHP performance – which is nice if you’re planning to launch WordPress-based sites, for example.
• Control panel options. You can use the custom-made SPanel for free. If you want to do a bit of reselling, cPanel/WHM licenses are available for up to 1,000 accounts on the self-managed service.
• Backup storage addon. It costs extra, but you can get as much backup space as you think you’ll need at a good price.
• Automation. If you decide to go for self-managed cloud hosting, there are still quite a few automated tools to help you out. Not least of which is the one that’ll set up your server in 30 seconds.

For more features, read our expert ScalaHosting review.

3. HostArmada: Advanced, Secure Linux Cloud Servers at Affordable Pricing1

Cloud hosting is what HostArmada is all about. Unlike other hosting companies, HostArmada offers its full suite of security tools on all cloud VPS hosting plans. That means that you can be sure that you’ll never have to worry that you’re not getting enough attention to security only because you’re on a lower-priced plan.

HostArmada also implements constant updates to keep itself running smoothly and delivering high-quality performances. It offers several fail safes and redundancies to ensure that your site always stays up and running.

Unfortunately, you can’t fully customize your VPS with HostArmada just yet, and though it offers plenty of developer-friendly features, it only comes with the CloudLinux distro available. Still, if security is what you’re all about, consider giving HostArmada a shot.

Distros: CloudLinux

Features

• Developer-friendly tools. HostArmada offers root SSH access on demand and full support for languages like Python, Perl, Node.js, Git, Drush, and more.
• Nginx server software. HostArmada offers the powerful Nginx server software on all of its VPS plans, which ensures reliable performance for your website.
• Advanced email features. You get access to an unlimited number of aliases, forwarders, several different protocols, and more.
• Hacked website restore. If your website ever gets hacked, HostArmada offers full hacked website restoration at no extra cost.

Read our expert review to learn more about HostArmada.

4. Liquid Web: Managed Linux Cloud Host for Non-Workaholics1

Liquid Web offers a variety of cloud-based VPS-style hosting plans. On the downside, that means a more rigid pricing structure. On the upside, those VPS-style plans are reasonably priced, and come in varieties suited to everyone from small businesses to enterprise-level organizations.

These plans come with a free 50 GB backup plan from Acronis, and pretty good resource allocation. Each plan also includes a slightly more expensive “value bundle” version that can include things like Cloudflare Pro, the Premium Business Email Service, and automatic threat detection.

If you want more customizability with more available Linux distros, you can go with Liquid Web’s dedicated cloud plans, but they are significantly more expensive.

Distros: CentOS, Alma Linux.

Features

• Managed VPS hosting. Never update your own software again if you don’t want to. These cloud VPS servers are fully managed. Or they can be, if you pay a little extra.
• Control panels. If you ever get tired of the command line (NEVER!), you have options. InterWorx, Plesk Web Pro, and cPanel Pro are all available to you.
• Off-server backups by default. All backups are automatically put on separate hardware. Gotta love it.
• Real time hotfixes. If you go with the InterWorx option, hotfixes and new features are added to the control panel and server without any downtime.

Read our full Liquid Web review for more on pricing.

5. IONOS: Fast and Customizable Linux Cloud Servers1

IONOS offers highly-customizable cloud hosting on six truly massive data centers around the world. And hosting is only part of the equation, with IONOS offering cloud solutions for data processing, storage, load balancing, DDoS protection, and more.

You can even design your own cloud hosting solution with the Data Center Designer, which allows you to pick your hardware resources, storage, preinstalled OS and security software, load balancers, and more.

You can use it to host a site, or integrate some of its specialized services into your existing infrastructure. You can even get Database as a Service, to power those really big WordPress sites. (Okay, most people are fine with WordPress, but I just made a few people incredibly mad.)

Distros: Alma Linux, CentOS, Debian, Fedora CoreOS, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu.

Bonus: FreeBSD and OpenBSD

Features

• Resource-based pricing. IONOS keeps it loose with a pay-what-you-use pricing model and no fixed contracts for cloud hosting. If you only want a server for a week, you can do that.
• Professional consulting. If you have an idea of what you want to do, but aren’t sure how to do it, talk to the (free) cloud consultants first. They can help you figure out the details.
• Backups and S3 object storage. The S3 storage is a reasonably-priced paid addon, but IONOS gives you plenty of options for backing up your data. As it should.
• Live scaling. If you need more power, there’s no delay, and no downtime. Just click the button to pay.

Not sure if IONOS is right for you? See our expert review for more.

6. Cloudways: Fully-Managed Linux Cloud Hosting, in Every Way1

With cloud hosting, most customers are looking for an environment they can control completely. If you’d rather just put up your website and be done, but on a Linux cloud server, Cloudways is the simplest option on this list.

Being a managed service, everything about the server is handled by the Cloudways team, and everything about handling your website is designed to be beginner-friendly. You don’t even get root access.

Now, that might be a dealbreaker for some, but if you’d rather not deal with the nitty-gritty, Cloudways makes Linux hosting easy.

Distros: Debian

Features

• Massive server infrastructure (sort of). Cloudways delivers its hosting management service on third-party hardware. This means you can use DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr, AWS, or Google Cloud without all the usual hassle.
• Easy to manage. Cloudways uses its own custom control panels to simplify… everything. There are even one-click installers for various popular web platforms.
• Single-click scaling. Need more server power, and fast? The name of this feature should tell you everything you need to know.
• Highly-optimized by default. Cloudways pre-configured all the servers for use with WordPress and other PHP-based applications.

To learn more about Cloudways, check out our comprehensive review.

Other Notable Linux Cloud Hosting Providers

7. Verpex1

Like Cloudways, Verpex offers simple solutions for cloud hosting. But while Verpex provides familiar tools, it’s pretty squarely aimed at mid-sized businesses and the e-commerce market. If you want to build an online store on a Linux-based cloud platform, build it with Verpex.

Specifically, Verpex is optimized for PHP, and you can choose between the familiar Apache server software or go with the newer and faster (and great for PHP) LiteSpeed server option. There are also secure outbound email servers using MailChannels or SpamExperts if you plan on sending out newsletters or email campaigns. Distros include CloudLinux.

8. A2 Hosting1

A2 Hosting offers outstanding managed VPS plans. Its Turbo Servers promise Linux users up to 20 times faster page loads. Though that might be a bit of an overstatement, it does offer efficient load speeds for those who prioritize speed and performance.

You also get the freedom of root access, which allows for in-depth Linux server customization. And, should you face any challenges, A2 Hosting’s dedicated 24/7 support team is always at the ready. That said, it’s still somewhat costlier than other options on this list. However, you can also opt for an unmanaged VPS or CloudLinux plan to cut your costs in half.

9. Hostinger1

While Hostinger is one of our favorite hosts for shared hosting, it still offers a very decent proposition if you’re looking for an affordable cloud hosting solution. It’s also very beginner-friendly, thanks to its proprietary hPanel for hosting management.

Hostinger doesn’t offer quite as many developer-friendly options as some others on this list, but if you’re looking for affordable and intuitive Linux cloud hosting, you can do a lot worse than Hostinger.

10. SiteGround1

SiteGround shines with its array of developer tools optimized for Linux environments. It offers automated daily backups, staging, and Git integration, simplifying the development workflow. Additionally, SiteGround’s automatic scaling adjusts resources during traffic surges, ensuring uninterrupted service. This feature is invaluable for those anticipating growth or experiencing variable traffic.

However, it’s worth noting for budget-conscious users that SiteGround tends to be pricier than its competitors, even when its offering is not that different.

The Best Linux Cloud Hosting for You

Sure, you could go for one of “the big three” cloud providers. Or, you could make things easier on yourself by letting one of the many Linux-loving cloud hosting providers listed above handle your needs.

Kamatera leads the pack1 with its fully-customizable cloud hosting service. You are billed by the second, and only for what you use, but you’ll need expertise to handle this self-managed service unless you want to pay extra for managed support.

ScalaHosting provides affordable managed hosting1 with the option to use its own data center, AWS’, or DigitalOcean’s.

Finally, HostArmada is the way to go1 if you’re all about security. Its constant updates also make it a good choice for staying on the cutting edge.

Here’s a helpful table summarizing the Linux cloud hosting options I recommend:

FAQ

Which Linux distribution should I choose?

Debian is fantastic for stability. “Distros” like Alma Linux, Rocky Linux, CloudLinux, and openSUSE are also stable, but updated more often. I do not, at this time, personally recommend Ubuntu, though many Linux users swear by it. That said, it won’t matter much which Linux distribution you want to choose if it isn’t available. If you’re looking for a cloud host that will let you choose whatever distro you want, I recommend Kamatera.

Which is the best Linux cloud host?

While there are plenty of alternatives, Kamatera offers the greatest degree of customizability and per-second billing so that you only pay for what you use. Not to mention the great performance and the managed hosting option for very reasonable prices.

Is Linux the best OS for hosting?

Usually, yes. Some companies require Windows or something closer to Unix (like FreeBSD) for very specific reasons, but Linux is the operating system with the biggest community, the most support (in one form or another), and most of the internet runs on it. Plus, the licensing is cheaper…as in free, in most cases – which reduces the price of hosting overall.

Is cloud hosting worth it?

That depends entirely on your needs. It’s best used for websites and applications that need to scale resources up and down on a regular basis. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. If you’re just starting out, I recommend taking a look at our guide to the top 10 best web hosts in 2024.