How long does a DigitalOcean-to-Hetzner migration take?

The process depends on services, data volume, dependencies and available test access. Dates and cutover windows are agreed after inventory.

What happens to my DigitalOcean managed services?

We map the DigitalOcean services actually in use to a target architecture individually. Possible components include managed PostgreSQL or MySQL instances, Docker or Coolify for suitable App Platform workloads and S3-compatible object storage. Not every feature has a one-to-one replacement.

How much can I really save with Hetzner?

Savings depend on the specific Droplet plan, volumes, Spaces, databases, traffic and the future operating model. We therefore compare the current invoice with an appropriately sized Hetzner target architecture.

Is Hetzner privacy-focused?

Hetzner offers selectable locations in Germany and Finland, a data processing agreement and documented technical measures. Whether the specific system meets privacy requirements also depends on its configuration, subprocessors, integrations and actual data flows.

Why switch from DigitalOcean?

A migration can make sense when data location, traffic allowance, portability or an individually operated target system better fits the workload. Whether it is cheaper is assessed from the current invoice and required operating scope.

What if something goes wrong?

The existing DigitalOcean infrastructure remains available until the validated cutover and throughout the agreed rollback window. Cutover, fallback criteria and decommissioning are defined in advance.

How do I migrate Droplets to Hetzner?

Droplets are migrated to Hetzner Cloud Servers (CPX/CAX) or Proxmox VMs. We analyze CPU/RAM/disk requirements and choose the suitable configuration.

How does Spaces migration work?

Hetzner Object Storage is S3-compatible but does not support every S3 feature. Replication, tagging and custom bucket domains are unavailable according to the documentation. We check used features and CDN dependencies and transfer data with rclone. The Spaces migration guide covers configuration, data verification and cutover.

How are Managed Databases taken over?

Managed Databases become self-hosted PostgreSQL/MySQL on Proxmox or Docker. We fully take over backups, monitoring and updates.

How are DigitalOcean Firewalls mapped?

We replicate your firewall rules to Hetzner Cloud Firewalls and Linux iptables. Private Networks replace VPCs for secure internal communication.

Can I continue using my Snapshot/Image catalog?

Images and snapshots are not universally portable exports. We assess the source format and plan application- or file-based rebuilding with data transfer and acceptance.

What is the alternative to DigitalOcean App Platform?

Depending on the application, App Platform is replaced by Coolify or Docker/Kubernetes. Git deployments, variables and health checks are mapped on the target. We compare costs and operating responsibility using the invoice. Replace other PaaS platforms.

What European alternatives are there to DigitalOcean?

Hetzner, OVHcloud, Scaleway or IONOS may fit depending on services, locations and operating model. The cloud exit assessment compares suitable targets.

Has Hetzner raised prices, and is migration still worthwhile?

The table uses Hetzner pricing effective 15 June 2026 with the vendor source. Whether migration pays off depends on the invoice, target architecture and operations. Price change assessment.

DigitalOcean to Hetzner: compare costs, plan cutover

We migrate your DigitalOcean infrastructure to Hetzner - from Droplets, managed databases, and Spaces to target architecture, testing, and cutover.

Compare current costs
EU locations selectable
privacy-focused
Planned cutover and rollback

Free initial consultation Case Study: 81% saved

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Cost Comparison

DigitalOcean vs. Hetzner: Building a Reliable Cost Comparison

Compare costs by plan, data and operating scope

Assessment: assess

Bandwidth / Egress

Compare the current invoice and traffic profile

Assessment: assess

Managed Services

Assess managed services and operating effort

Transparent Pricing

Scope and operating boundaries in the quote

Component	DigitalOcean	Hetzner	Assessment
Compute reference (4 vCPU, 8 GB)	Basic: 8 GiB / 4 vCPU, USD 48/month; 160 GiB SSD	€35.49*	after workload review
Storage	Spaces: USD 5/month, 250 GiB + 1 TiB transfer; extra USD 0.02/GiB	160 GB local included; Volume €0.044/GB**	including backup design
Outbound traffic	5,000 GiB per Basic Droplet included	at least 20 TB included***	by location and plan
Total / month	current spend	target architecture	project-specific

DigitalOcean list prices in USD, checked 18 October 2026. CPU type, storage and operations differ; vCPU/RAM alone do not establish performance equivalence. Droplet pricing
Spaces is object storage; Hetzner volumes are block storage and not an equivalent replacement. Spaces pricing
*CPX32: €35.49 net/month, excluding IPv4 and VAT. Price effective 15 June 2026. Official cloud pricing
**Volumes are billed separately and are not included in server backups or snapshots. Volume details
***For cloud servers at EU locations; verify plan and location before quoting. Traffic details
Note on pricing and savings: Prices, configurations, and savings estimates are based on publicly available data from the respective providers at the time of publication. Actual savings depend on workload, configuration, and current provider pricing. Please verify current terms independently with the respective provider.

Our Process

How Your DigitalOcean-to-Hetzner Migration Works

Inventory, target setup, test run and agreed cutover

01
Assessment & Analysis
We analyze your DigitalOcean infrastructure: Droplets, databases, Spaces, network and dependencies.
02
Architecture Design
Mapping your DigitalOcean services to Hetzner equivalents with optimized configuration.
03
Parallel Setup
Building Hetzner infrastructure parallel to DigitalOcean for a validated cutover.
04
Data Synchronization
Transfer of databases, files, and configurations with a planned cutover and rollback point.
05
Traffic Cutover
DNS switching, final synchronization and gradual traffic migration.
06
Optimization & Support
Performance tuning, monitoring setup and ongoing support.

DigitalOcean Services and their Hetzner Equivalents

Droplets → Cloud Server (CPX/CAX)
Volumes → Volumes (NVMe SSD)
Spaces → Object Storage (S3-compatible)
Managed DB → Managed DB / Self-hosted
DO DNS → Hetzner DNS / Cloudflare
Monitoring → Prometheus + Grafana
App Platform → Docker / Coolify
VPC → Private Networks

Case Study

Why WZ-IT for Your Migration?

EVA Real Estate: Cloud Migration with 81% Savings. Example from an AWS migration: EVA Real Estate in Dubai migrated to Hetzner and saves $12,600 per year.

Cost reduction: 81%
per month: $1,300 → $250
ROI: 4 months

Cloud Migration Experience
We plan inventory, test migration, cutover, validation and rollback for your DigitalOcean environment.
Controlled Cutover
Validation and an agreed rollback window reduce cutover risk.
Operations by agreement
Migration, managed hosting, monitoring and support from a single source - even after migration.
Proxmox Expertise
We use Proxmox for virtualization with HA cluster and live migration.
Privacy & contracts
German and Finnish locations are selectable. DPA, data flows and technical measures are documented for the target system.
Transparent Pricing
Defined scope and a transparent proposal following the initial assessment.

EVA Real Estate: Cloud Migration with 81% Savings

Read full case study

Pricing

Analysis, migration, operations: three steps with a stated price

The initial consultation is free of charge. The cloud exit assessment, migration and operations follow the prices in the service catalogue.

Step 2 · Cloud migrationfrom €1,990 excl. VATTarget architecture, test run, data transfer and cutover with a defined scope. The amount depends on workloads and data.

Configure migration

The three steps build on each other without requiring each other. The analysis does not commit you to the migration, nor the migration to operations. All prices are net and exclude statutory VAT. The offers are addressed to businesses. Scope and service level by agreement.

Before and after

Step 1

Cloud Exit Assessment

Cost picture, target architecture, migration path and a fixed-price quote for the migration.

from €1,490 excl. VATView the assessment →Step 3

Managed Server

Monitoring, updates, backups and response for the migrated systems at the agreed service level.

from €149.90 excl. VAT / server and monthView Managed Server →

DigitalOcean Migration FAQ

Answers to the most important questions

Further paths: App Platform to Coolify, Spaces to Object Storage, other providers

We replace DigitalOcean services with open-source solutions

Cloud Migrations from Other Providers to Hetzner

Open Source Tools for Your Migration

Migrations with measurable business impact

Cloud exit, Proxmox and sovereign operations with concrete results instead of architecture slides.

WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.

Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH

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International

Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.

WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.

Selected projects

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DigitalOcean to Hetzner

Assess a DigitalOcean-to-Hetzner migration

Let us assess your DigitalOcean environment and show what a move to Hetzner brings.

Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
A professional assessment of your situation
Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI

The conversation is free and non-binding.

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

Email[email protected]Phone+49 2922 875068

WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.

Jakob ÖschlbergerInno7 GmbH

DigitalOcean to Hetzner: compare costs, plan cutover