Cloudways vs Linode:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Linode had more branded searches than Cloudways among VPS hosting providers worldwide. Linode had about 90,500 branded searches, while Cloudways had 74,000. Linode made up 1.9% of all VPS hosting provider searches we track, and Cloudways accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about VPS hosting providers, Cloudways appeared in three of the five answers and Linode in two. Cloudways and Linode were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Linode, about 22% more searches than Cloudways
Who does AI mention more?
Cloudways, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Linode in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top VPS hosting providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Cloudways was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Linode was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Cloudways and Linode were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
DigitalOcean5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Vultr4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hostinger3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hetzner3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Cloudways3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
OVHcloud2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Linode2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about VPS hosting providers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which VPS hosting provider should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best VPS hosting providers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best VPS hosting provider for a small website?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“vps hosting providers”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best vps hosting”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Cloudways or Linode more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cloudways and Linode by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven VPS hosting providers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Linode, Cloudways. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hostinger | Hetzner | OVHcloud | Vultr | Linode | Cloudways | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 84.6% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 2% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 84.9% | 6.6% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 84.9% | 6.6% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 84.8% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 1.4% | 1.4% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 82.1% | 9.7% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.1% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 82.1% | 9.9% | 3% | 2.4% | 0.9% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 82.2% | 10.1% | 3% | 2% | 0.91% | 1.7% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 81.8% | 10.1% | 3% | 2.5% | 0.91% | 1.7% | 0% |
| Jun 2026 | 78.6% | 11.6% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0% |
| Jul 2026 | 80.8% | 9.8% | 3.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 80.2% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0% |
| Sep 2026 | 79.1% | 9.6% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% | <0.01% |
How has the Cloudways and Linode comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Cloudways took it in February 2026, Linode took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Cloudways’ share of searches among VPS hosting providers worldwide held steady at 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Linode’s share of searches among VPS hosting providers worldwide moved from 2% to 1.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for VPS hosting providers worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Linode overtook Cloudways to rank 5th among VPS hosting providers worldwide, with 1.9% of the searches.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cloudways’ and Linode’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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