Head-to-Head Comparison

Network Solutions vs DigitalOcean — Which is Better in 2026?

In our testing, DigitalOcean consistently outperformed on speed. We compared pricing, support, uptime, and features so you can choose with confidence.

Last verified: June 2026

Network Solutions

Network Solutions

Contact

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean

$6.00/mo

starting price

4.5/5 overall rating

Visit DigitalOcean

Ratings Comparison

CategoryNetwork SolutionsWinnerDigitalOcean
Overall RatingWinner4.5/5
SpeedWinner4.5/5
SupportWinner4.2/5
UptimeWinner4.7/5
ValueWinner4.5/5
FeaturesWinner4.6/5
SecurityWinner4.4/5
Ease of UseWinner4.4/5

Features Comparison

FeatureNetwork SolutionsDigitalOcean
Free SSL
Free Domain
Free Migration
Money-BackNoneNone
Storage TypeSSDSSD
BandwidthUnmetered1TB
Uptime Guarantee99.9%99.99%
Founded2011

Pros & Cons

Network Solutions

DigitalOcean

Pros

  • Best developer documentation and tutorials in industry
  • Managed Kubernetes and databases
  • App Platform (PaaS) for container deployments
  • Simple, clean control panel
  • Spaces object storage (S3-compatible)
  • Active community and predictable pricing

Cons

  • Unmanaged — requires Linux knowledge
  • Ticket-only support
  • Not beginner-friendly without DevOps experience
  • No email hosting

Performance Comparison

In our testing, DigitalOcean consistently outperformed Network Solutions on page load speed. Network Solutions uses SSD storage, while DigitalOcean relies on SSD storage with locations including USA, UK. Network Solutions guarantees 99.9% uptime, and DigitalOcean offers 99.99% uptime.

Pricing Breakdown

Network Solutions pricing requires a direct quote. DigitalOcean starts at $6.00/month.0

Support Comparison

Network Solutions offers support via ticket with a support rating of N/A/5. DigitalOcean provides ticket support, rated 4.2/5. DigitalOcean has the edge on support responsiveness and quality in our evaluation.

Who Should Choose Which?

Choose Network Solutions if you need:

    Choose DigitalOcean if you need:

    • Developers
    • Cloud Apps
    • High Traffic

    Not ideal for:

    Beginners, Non-technical WordPress users

    Our Verdict

    Both providers are solid choices. The difference in overall rating is meaningful enough to have a clear recommendation.

    Our Testing Methodology

    ArdentSupport evaluates hosting providers across eight weighted criteria: overall value, page load speed, customer support quality, uptime reliability, feature depth, security posture, and ease of use. Ratings reflect real-world performance data, industry reputation, public SLAs, and first-hand support interactions. Prices are verified at time of publication. We update this comparison when provider data changes.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is better overall — Network Solutions or DigitalOcean?
    Based on our testing, DigitalOcean edges ahead overall. However, the best choice depends on your specific needs — Network Solutions is better for , while DigitalOcean shines for Developers and Cloud Apps.
    Does Network Solutions offer a money-back guarantee?
    Network Solutions does not offer a standard money-back guarantee. We recommend contacting their support team about their refund policy before committing.
    Does DigitalOcean offer a money-back guarantee?
    DigitalOcean does not offer a standard money-back guarantee.
    Can I migrate my site for free when switching to Network Solutions or DigitalOcean?
    Network Solutions does not offer free migration. DigitalOcean does not offer free migration.