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Comment by gexla | Hacker News Reader

Echoing a lot of other comments here. I don't get why DigitalOcean exists. I would never use them over AWS, GCP, or Azure. They can't beat anyone on cost or functionality. I'm not convinced on simplicity. The other platforms aren't that difficult to use and for some you have to deal with regardless. For example, if you want to use Google Maps, then you need to use GCP to get access to the API. Since you're already in there, it's not much further to setup a VPS.

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I'm a DO customer. I tried to figure out what running a windows server would cost on Azure once (since DO doesn't provide windows). I didn't manage to figure it out after like 20 minutes, and the complexity was just mind blowing. I literally got a bit of a shock, and felt pretty stupid that I couldn't figure out such a simple thing. The thought going through my head was something like "does people actually use this?". So that's a radically different perspective for you :)

I haven't used Azure much. But because it's Microsoft, it's going to be a default option for a lot of customers who are entrenched in the MS world.

AWS is complex also, but I remember when you're only option to launch an EC2 instance was through the command line. And it's still easier to figure out than most of my tech stack. Not that I need to be adding anything with needless complexity.

I do actually like DigitalOcean, but in an AWS / GCP / Azure world I feel it's best to learn one of those well.

"I don't get why Ubuntu exists, I would never use it over Mac or Windows"

Having options is good, and there are many reasons someone would prefer them over AWS, GCP or Azure.

They just raised $100M and they aren't yet profitable. The markets will judge. And that judgement is still out until they become profitable.

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