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Head-to-head · Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software

OpenStack Neutron vs DigitalOcean VPC

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score OpenStack Neutron #4 in Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software 7.4/10 Open source ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit OpenStack
DigitalOcean VPC #5 in Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit DigitalOcean

OpenStack Neutron leads on 0 checks, DigitalOcean VPC on 3, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreOpenStack Neutron · 7.4/10
  • Free planonly DigitalOcean VPC
  • Most featuresDigitalOcean VPC · 2 of 5

OpenStack Neutron scores higher on our rubric for virtual private cloud (vpc) software: 7.4 against 7.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

DigitalOcean VPC offers free plan; OpenStack Neutron doesn't publish it. DigitalOcean VPC offers infrastructure as code; OpenStack Neutron doesn't publish it. DigitalOcean VPC offers private service access; OpenStack Neutron doesn't publish it.

OpenStack Neutron is the better fit for teams running open-source or hybrid clouds. DigitalOcean VPC is the better fit for simple, low-cost VPCs for DigitalOcean resources.

  • OpenStack Neutron fits best

    Teams running open-source or hybrid clouds

  • DigitalOcean VPC fits best

    Simple, low-cost VPCs for DigitalOcean resources

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature OpenStack Neutron 7.4/10 Visit ↗ DigitalOcean VPC 7.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 7.3
Ranking #4 in Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software #5 in Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software
Best for Teams running open-source or hybrid clouds Simple, low-cost VPCs for DigitalOcean resources
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Linux Web
Support Docs, Community Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations 4 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenStack Neutron 0/5 · DigitalOcean VPC 2/5
Infrastructure as code Not published ✓ (best)
Site-to-site VPN Not published Not published
Private service access Not published ✓ (best)
Network flow logs Not published Not published
Custom route control Not published Not published
Specs
Clouds supported Not published Single
Our review
Pros
  • Manages networks, subnets, ports, routing, and floating IPs
  • Supports NAT, security groups, VPN, DHCP, and QoS policies
  • Modular Layer 2 drivers include Open vSwitch and OVN integration
  • Free VPCs with selectable private IP ranges
  • Private communication and regional VPC peering
  • API, CLI, and Terraform management options
Cons
  • Requires an OpenStack environment; it is not standalone hosted SaaS
  • Self-hosted and hybrid operation brings operational complexity
  • Support channels are documentation and community
  • Supports DigitalOcean resources rather than multiple cloud providers
  • No dedicated paid VPC tier; attached resources are billed separately
  • VPN appliances for external connectivity are customer-managed
Our verdict

OpenStack Neutron provides networking as a service for OpenStack clouds, exposing APIs to create and manage networks, subnets, ports, addresses, routers, and related services. It suits mid-market and enterprise teams running self-hosted or…

Read the review →

DigitalOcean VPC provides isolated private networks for Droplets, Kubernetes clusters, databases, and other supported DigitalOcean resources. Teams choose a private IP range, attach resources, and enable communication within the VPC…

Read the review →
  1. OpenStack NeutronVirtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software 7.4Open source
  2. DigitalOcean VPCVirtual Private Cloud (VPC) Software 7.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OpenStack Neutron — where it wins

    • Manages networks, subnets, ports, routing, and floating IPs
    • Supports NAT, security groups, VPN, DHCP, and QoS policies
    • Modular Layer 2 drivers include Open vSwitch and OVN integration

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires an OpenStack environment; it is not standalone hosted SaaS
    • Self-hosted and hybrid operation brings operational complexity
    • Support channels are documentation and community

  • DigitalOcean VPC — where it wins

    • Free VPCs with selectable private IP ranges
    • Private communication and regional VPC peering
    • API, CLI, and Terraform management options

    Where it doesn't

    • Supports DigitalOcean resources rather than multiple cloud providers
    • No dedicated paid VPC tier; attached resources are billed separately
    • VPN appliances for external connectivity are customer-managed

More comparisons

All virtual private cloud (VPC) software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update