AWS Lambda vs DigitalOcean Droplets

Serverless computing that makes you feel like a wizard—until you get hit with cold starts and vendor lock-in meets the vps that makes cloud hosting feel like a breeze, not a hurricane of complexity. Here's our take.

AWS Lambda

Nice Pick

Serverless computing that makes you feel like a wizard—until you get hit with cold starts and vendor lock-in.

Pros

• No server management—just upload code and it runs automatically
• Auto-scales from zero to thousands of concurrent executions
• Pay-per-use pricing model (you only pay for compute time)
• Integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like S3 and API Gateway

Cons

• Cold starts can cause unpredictable latency spikes
• Vendor lock-in with AWS ecosystem makes migration painful
• Limited execution time and memory constraints (up to 15 minutes)

DigitalOcean Droplets

The VPS that makes cloud hosting feel like a breeze, not a hurricane of complexity.

Pros

• Simple, predictable pricing with no hidden fees
• One-click app installations and pre-configured stacks
• Scalable resources with easy vertical and horizontal upgrades
• User-friendly interface and extensive documentation

Cons

• Limited advanced features compared to AWS or Azure
• No built-in managed services like databases or serverless functions

The Verdict

Use AWS Lambda if: You want no server management—just upload code and it runs automatically and can live with cold starts can cause unpredictable latency spikes.

Use DigitalOcean Droplets if: You prioritize simple, predictable pricing with no hidden fees over what AWS Lambda offers.

The Bottom Line

AWS Lambda wins

Serverless computing that makes you feel like a wizard—until you get hit with cold starts and vendor lock-in.