Why migrate
Why teams are leaving DigitalOcean
Unmanaged Infrastructure
DigitalOcean provides droplets but no management layer. You install, configure, update, backup, and secure everything yourself.
No Software Catalog
No one-click managed open-source tools. Setting up PostgreSQL, Redis, or n8n requires manual installation and ongoing maintenance.
DevOps Overhead
Server hardening, SSL setup, monitoring configuration, backup scripts... the hidden cost of DIY hosting is your team's time.
DigitalOcean vs Elestio: Before & After Migration
See what changes when you add Elestio's management layer to your infrastructure.
| Criteria | DigitalOcean (Before) | Elestio (After) |
|---|---|---|
| Droplet management | 100% DIY (SSH, CLI) | Fully managed via dashboard |
| 1-Click Apps | Installed but NOT managed | 400+ fully managed services |
| Automated backups | Droplet snapshots only ($1/mo) | Daily full + DB backups included |
| Security updates | Manual SSH + apt upgrade | Automated with zero-downtime |
| Monitoring | Basic metrics on dashboard | Built-in monitoring + alerts |
| App Platform | $12+/mo per service, limited | From $13/mo per VM on DO, unlimited services |
| Cloud providers | DigitalOcean only | 9 providers incl. DigitalOcean |
| Support | Ticket-based | 24/7 expert support (email + dashboard) |
| Infrastructure as Code | DO Terraform provider | Elestio Terraform provider (manages apps + infra) |
| High availability | Manual load balancer setup | Built-in cluster support |
Step-by-Step Migration Guide
You can even stay on DigitalOcean infrastructure - just with full management added.
Audit Your DigitalOcean Resources
List all your droplets, managed databases, App Platform services, and spaces. Note the software running on each droplet (WordPress, PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.), sizes, regions, and any custom configurations or cron jobs.
Deploy Managed Services via Elestio (on DigitalOcean)
Sign up for Elestio and select DigitalOcean as your cloud provider. Deploy managed versions of the same tools you were running. Choose the same DO region for minimal latency change. Services deploy in minutes with backups, monitoring, and updates preconfigured.
Migrate Data from Existing Droplets
Elestio provides built-in migration tools in the dashboard for most databases. Follow our step-by-step migration guides to transfer your data. Our support team can assist you directly if needed.
Configure Domains & CI/CD
Set up custom domains with automatic SSL in Elestio's dashboard. Configure CI/CD pipelines for Git-based deployments. Set environment variables. Test thoroughly while your old droplets are still running.
Switch DNS & Destroy Old Droplets
Update DNS records to point to your Elestio-managed services. Monitor for 24-48 hours. Once confirmed, destroy your old droplets and cancel any DO Managed Database or App Platform subscriptions. Your infrastructure is now fully managed.
What You Get After Migration
The management layer your DigitalOcean setup was missing.
Same Cloud, Full Management
Stay on DigitalOcean infrastructure if you want - just with Elestio managing everything. Backups, updates, monitoring, and support all included. Or switch to any of 8 other providers.
400+ Truly Managed Services
Unlike DO's 1-Click Apps, Elestio services are actively managed. Automated updates, backups, security patches, and health monitoring for every service you deploy.
No More SSH Maintenance
Stop logging into servers to run apt upgrade, check logs, clean disk space, or renew SSL certificates. Elestio handles all operational tasks automatically.
24/7 Expert Support
Real engineers respond 24/7 via email and the dashboard. No more Stack Overflow debugging sessions at midnight. Our team knows the stack and can help fast.
True Cost: DigitalOcean DIY vs Elestio Managed
Raw infrastructure is cheap. Managing it yourself is not. Factor in engineering labor to see the real cost.
Labor costs estimated at $15-50/hr for DIY management time. Professional rates may be higher.
Reviews
Trusted by 10,000+ Developers Worldwide
Real reviews from real users on Trustpilot.
"I'm in the IT industry for over 25 years and Elestio stands out in many ways. The managed services are top-notch, support is incredibly fast, and the platform just works. Couldn't be better!"
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I keep using DigitalOcean infrastructure with Elestio?
Yes! DigitalOcean is one of Elestio's 9 supported cloud providers. You can deploy services ON DigitalOcean through Elestio and get full management (backups, updates, monitoring, support) on top of the DO infrastructure you already know.
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Are DigitalOcean 1-Click Apps the same as Elestio managed services?
No. DigitalOcean 1-Click Apps install software on a droplet but do NOT include ongoing management. You still handle updates, backups, security patches, and troubleshooting. Elestio managed services include all of that automatically.
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How does Elestio pricing compare to running my own DigitalOcean droplets?
A raw DigitalOcean droplet starts at $4/mo but requires you to manage it yourself (10+ hours/month). Elestio starts at $13/mo on DigitalOcean with full management included. When you factor in the cost of your time, Elestio saves 70-90% on total cost of ownership.
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What about DigitalOcean App Platform?
DO App Platform starts at $12/mo per service with limited language support, no managed open-source app catalog, and fewer deployment options. Elestio offers 400+ managed services with more flexibility at comparable or lower prices.
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Will migration require downtime?
No. Deploy on Elestio (optionally on DigitalOcean infrastructure) while your existing setup is still running. Migrate data, verify everything works, then switch DNS. Zero downtime migration.
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Can I use Elestio's Terraform provider with DigitalOcean?
Yes. Elestio has its own Terraform provider that lets you manage deployments as infrastructure as code. You can specify DigitalOcean as your cloud provider and manage everything through Terraform workflows.