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DigitalOcean Spaces Object Storage

Provider: DigitalOcean, LLC

Launched: 2017

Type: S3-Compatible Object Storage with CDN

Website: digitalocean.com/spaces

Overview

DigitalOcean Spaces is developer-friendly S3-compatible object storage designed for simplicity and predictable pricing. Targeting startups, SMBs, and developers, Spaces provides enterprise-grade storage without AWS complexity or hidden fees. The platform includes integrated CDN (Content Delivery Network) at no additional cost, making it ideal for serving backup assets, media files, and static content globally. With straightforward $5/month pricing for 250GB, Spaces offers an affordable entry point for cloud backup storage.

Product Description

Spaces embodies DigitalOcean's philosophy of developer-centric simplicity. The service provides S3 API compatibility for seamless integration with existing tools while maintaining intuitive web-based management. Unlike AWS S3's overwhelming array of storage classes and pricing tiers, Spaces offers one storage tier with transparent costs—no need for doctorate-level understanding of AWS billing.

The built-in Spaces CDN (powered by DigitalOcean's edge network) accelerates content delivery globally without additional configuration or fees. For backup scenarios involving distributed teams or worldwide disaster recovery, this CDN integration provides fast restore operations regardless of geographic location. Spaces also integrates naturally with DigitalOcean Droplets, Kubernetes, and App Platform for complete infrastructure solutions.

Key Features

💰 Simple Pricing

$5/month for 250GB storage and 1TB outbound transfer. Predictable costs without surprise bills.

🌐 Integrated CDN

Built-in CDN included free. Serve backup files globally with low latency without separate CDN costs.

🔗 S3 API Compatible

Standard S3 API enables use of existing backup tools, SDKs, and workflows without modifications.

🎯 Developer Friendly

Intuitive web interface and straightforward documentation. No AWS certification required to use effectively.

🔐 Built-In Security

Encryption at rest and in transit included. Access control through Space-level permissions and CORS.

📍 Multiple Regions

Data centers in NYC, SFO, AMS, SGP, and FRA for geographic distribution and data sovereignty.

🔄 Lifecycle Policies

Automate object expiration to manage storage costs as backup retention periods expire.

🖥️ DO Ecosystem Integration

Seamless integration with Droplets, Kubernetes clusters, and App Platform for complete infrastructure.

Pricing (Simple & Predictable)

💰 Incoming Data (Upload) Pricing

FREE

All data uploads to Spaces are free with no ingress charges or bandwidth fees.

📦 Storage Pricing (Bundled Plan)

$5 per month

Includes:

  • ✓ 250 GB storage
  • ✓ 1 TB outbound transfer (CDN or direct)
  • ✓ Integrated CDN included
  • ✓ Unlimited inbound transfer
Overage Pricing:
  • Additional Storage: $0.02 per GB/month ($20/TB/month)
  • Additional Outbound Transfer: $0.01 per GB ($10/TB)

💡 Cost-Effective Starting Point

The $5/month base tier is perfect for small backup workloads. 250GB covers critical server configurations, databases, and essential files with room for growth.

Example: Backup 200GB of data with monthly 100GB restore testing = $5/month total (within included allocations)

📤 Egress (Outbound Transfer) Pricing

  • First 1 TB/month: Included in $5 base plan
  • Additional transfer: $0.01 per GB ($10/TB)

💡 Transfer includes both CDN delivery and direct downloads. No separate CDN fees!

Cost Examples

Scenario 1: Small Business Backup

Usage: 200GB stored, 500GB monthly restores/testing

  • Storage: 200GB within 250GB included = $0
  • Outbound: 500GB within 1TB included = $0
  • Total: $5/month

Scenario 2: Growing Startup (10TB Backup)

Usage: 10TB (10,240GB) stored, 2TB monthly egress

  • Base plan: $5 (250GB storage + 1TB transfer)
  • Additional storage: 9,990 GB × $0.02 = $199.80
  • Additional transfer: 1,024 GB × $0.01 = $10.24
  • Total: $215/month

Compare to AWS S3: $236 storage + $184 egress = $420/month (49% savings with Spaces)

Available Regions

All regions offer identical pricing. Choose based on latency and data sovereignty requirements.

Use Cases for Backup

Integration & Compatibility

Spaces works with standard S3-compatible tools:

Why Choose DigitalOcean Spaces?

DigitalOcean Spaces appeals to developers and small businesses frustrated with AWS complexity. The $5/month starting price provides a genuine entry point for cloud backup—far more accessible than AWS S3's pay-per-gigabyte model that can surprise first-time users with unexpected bills. For small workloads under 250GB, Spaces represents one of the most cost-effective S3-compatible options available.

The integrated CDN differentiates Spaces from pure storage providers. While competitors charge separately for CDN services, Spaces includes global content delivery in the base price. For backup scenarios involving distributed teams or multi-region disaster recovery, this CDN integration enables fast restore operations from any location without additional configuration or costs.

DigitalOcean's reputation for developer-friendly products and transparent pricing extends to Spaces. The service avoids AWS-style complexity where choosing the wrong storage class or lifecycle policy can dramatically impact costs. With Spaces, developers get predictable pricing and straightforward features that "just work"—a refreshing alternative to enterprise cloud platforms requiring dedicated billing analysts to understand monthly costs.