[angrygoat]

This is the main reason I keep a $40/month Linode running, when I'd probably save if I used AWS -- most of the time my instance isn't doing a lot. I just don't want the anxiety of a billing surprise due to a mistake, or a DDOS coming my way.

[colde]

Have you looked at https://amazonlightsail.com/ as a way to make get a billing system similar to Linode?

[cjsuk]

As someone who has used both and DigitalOcean, Lightsail performance is absolutely terrible compared to the above. It feels like you have perpetually run out of CPU credits.

[Sohcahtoa82]

Lightsail is just renamed t2 instances with storage and bandwidth bundled in. Also, last time I checked (which, granted, was the week Lightsail came out), you can't even check your CPU credit balance on a Lightsail instance. You also can't attach an EIP to a Lightsail instance.

Lightsail is dumbed down to the point of basically being worthless. There's really no reason to use Lightsail over Digital Ocean.

[extra88]

Lightsail is a baby step into the AWS environment. Once you're in the AWS console and Amazon has your credit card number, a psychological barrier has been breached, making it much easier to start experimenting with their other offerings.