Which DigitalOcean product should you use?
Start with the job in front of you. Each path below explains where a product fits, where it does not, and the practical guide to read next.
Pick the problem, then pick the product.
These are not interchangeable services. Choosing the wrong one usually creates extra work, so this guide is designed to rule options out as well as point you toward a useful first test.
DigitalOcean Droplets
Run software you want to configure yourself.
Use it when: You need a Linux server for n8n or another long-running service, and you can manage updates, access, and recovery.
Not the right fit when: Choose App Platform when you want the deployment platform to manage more of the runtime, or Managed PostgreSQL when the database is the only thing you need to run.
DigitalOcean Spaces
Keep backups or uploaded files in private object storage.
Use it when: You need durable, S3-compatible storage for files, backups, or assets that your application can retrieve later.
Not the right fit when: Choose a Droplet for a running server or Managed PostgreSQL for relational application data.
DigitalOcean Managed PostgreSQL
Move application data into a managed relational database.
Use it when: You need PostgreSQL with backups, recovery options, encrypted connections, and less database administration.
Not the right fit when: Choose Spaces for files and archives, or a Droplet when you need to operate the database software yourself.
DigitalOcean Serverless Inference
Call an AI model from an application in real time.
Use it when: You need direct, low-latency model requests for a coding tool, review step, or other request-response workflow.
Not the right fit when: Choose Batch Inference for large asynchronous workloads, or Agent Platform when you need managed knowledge, evaluation, and tool routing.
DigitalOcean Batch Inference
Process many AI tasks without waiting for each result.
Use it when: You have a large review, triage, or classification backlog that can run asynchronously and still needs human decisions.
Not the right fit when: Choose Serverless Inference when a person or application needs an immediate response.
DigitalOcean Agent Platform
Build an AI assistant with controlled knowledge and tools.
Use it when: You need an assistant that can retrieve approved information, use constrained functions, and be tested before people rely on it.
Not the right fit when: Choose Serverless Inference for direct model calls without a managed agent workflow.
DigitalOcean App Platform
Deploy a web application or API from a Git repository.
Use it when: You want to deploy an application without operating the underlying server, while keeping the deployment tied to your source code.
Not the right fit when: Choose a Droplet when you need full server control, or Spaces when you only need object storage.
Need a place to run your next project?
Explore DigitalOcean when you need cloud infrastructure for an app, automation, or backup workflow.
Disclosure: I’m a DigitalOcean affiliate. This page contains a DigitalOcean affiliate link. If you use it, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.