If you’ve been hosting your infrastructure on Amazon Web Services (AWS) but are now looking to cut costs, simplify your setup, or prefer more personal support—Linode (now part of Akamai) might be a solid alternative. Many developers and small business owners have made the switch to Linode for its simplicity, predictable pricing, and hands-on customer service. But migrating cloud infrastructure isn’t just a “click and go” process—it requires careful planning and execution.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process of migrating from AWS to Linode, step-by-step. We’ll keep the language straightforward, break down each task, and include practical examples where it helps. Whether you’re moving a WordPress site, a full-stack application, or just a few VMs, this article is designed to help you do it with confidence.
Why Migrate from AWS to Linode?
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why. AWS is incredibly powerful—but that power often comes with complexity and cost.
According to a 2023 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, over 34% of developers reported being overwhelmed by AWS’s vast service ecosystem. Linode, by comparison, offers a more focused platform tailored to developers and small to mid-size businesses. It’s not about fewer features—it's about fewer headaches.
Here are a few reasons people make the switch:
- Predictable Pricing: Linode’s flat-rate model means no surprise bills.
- Simplicity: A smaller but well-curated set of services makes it easier to manage.
- Support: Linode is known for responsive, human support—no navigating layers of support tiers.
- Performance: Linode uses high-performance NVMe SSDs, and many users find their apps run just as well—if not better.
Now, let’s look at how to actually move.
Step 1: Plan Your Migration
Like any big move, migrating your infrastructure needs a solid plan. Start by auditing your AWS setup:
- What services are you using? (EC2, RDS, S3, etc.)
- What OS and software are installed on your instances?
- What are your data storage needs?
- What is your current bandwidth usage?
- Are there dependencies between services?
Tip: Make a spreadsheet. List your EC2 instances, storage volumes, security groups, databases, and anything else tied to your AWS setup.
Example: If you’re hosting a WordPress site on EC2, also check where your database (MySQL or MariaDB) is hosted. If it's on RDS, note down the version and connection string—you’ll need this info later.
Step 2: Set Up Your Linode Account and Environment
Once you’ve mapped out your infrastructure, set up your Linode environment. Here’s how:
- Create an account on Linode at www.linode.com.
- Choose a data center close to your users.
- Select a Linode instance type (Shared CPU, Dedicated CPU, or GPU) based on your needs.
- Pick your Linux distribution (Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, etc.).
- Deploy the instance.
Pro Tip: Start with a staging environment on Linode before going live. This gives you room to test without risking downtime.
Step 3: Transfer Files and Databases
Now, move your data. This part varies based on what you’re migrating.
For Websites or Apps on EC2:
- Use rsync or scp to transfer files from AWS EC2 to Linode.
rsync -avz -e "ssh -i your-aws-key.pem" ubuntu@your-ec2-ip:/var/www/html/ /local/backup/
scp -i your-aws-key.pem -r ubuntu@your-ec2-ip:/var/www/html/ /local/backup/
- Then, upload from your local machine to Linode:
rsync -avz /local/backup/ root@your-linode-ip:/var/www/html/
For Databases:
- Export your database from AWS using
mysqldumporpg_dump.
mysqldump -u root -p database_name > backup.sql
- Copy the
.sqlfile to your Linode server and import it:
mysql -u root -p new_database < backup.sql
If your database was hosted on AWS RDS, be sure to update your application config to point to the new database host on Linode.
Step 4: Recreate Your Environment
You’ll now need to replicate your server environment—this means installing the same packages, services, and configurations.
For example:
- Install a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) if your site is PHP-based.
- For Node.js apps, install Node, npm/yarn, and PM2.
- Use Docker if your setup was containerized on AWS.
Check /etc/ and crontab on your EC2 instance to spot any scheduled jobs, firewalls, or custom scripts you need to replicate.
Step 5: Update DNS and Go Live
Once everything is tested and ready, it’s time to switch traffic to Linode.
- Go to your DNS provider (this might be AWS Route 53 or another registrar).
- Update the A record for your domain to point to your new Linode IP.
- If using Cloudflare, update your IP in their dashboard instead.
Note: DNS propagation can take up to 24 hours, though it usually happens much faster.
Step 6: Monitor and Optimize
After migration, keep an eye on performance:
- Use Linode’s Longview or tools like Netdata to monitor CPU, RAM, and disk usage.
- Set up UptimeRobot or Pingdom to monitor downtime.
- Enable automatic backups in Linode (starts at $2/month).
- Harden security: configure firewalls (UFW or iptables), disable root login via SSH, and use SSH keys instead of passwords.
Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
- Not checking port access: Linode doesn’t use AWS-style security groups, so make sure your firewall allows HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, and database ports as needed.
- Incorrect permissions: After transferring files, ensure correct ownership with
chownand set correct permissions. - Time zone mismatches: Check and sync server time zones (
timedatectl set-timezone). - Email deliverability issues: If your app sends emails, configure SPF, DKIM, and reverse DNS on Linode.
Real-Life Example: Small Business Site Migration
I remember, When I was working at Truepancer, One small eCommerce business migrated from AWS to Linode in early 2024. They were running a Magento store on EC2 with a MySQL RDS backend and S3 for product images. They used this basic plan:
- Set up a dedicated Linode instance with 8 GB RAM.
- Installed Magento, MySQL, and synced media from S3 to Linode object storage.
- Transferred over 50 GB of product images using
rclone. - They saw a 25% cost reduction monthly, and a 12% speed improvement in page load times.
Conclusion: Is Linode Right for You?
Migrating from AWS to Linode isn’t just about saving money—it’s about regaining control. For developers and small teams, Linode offers simplicity, transparency, and real support without sacrificing performance.
By following a structured approach—plan, set up, transfer, test, and launch—you can move your infrastructure with minimal downtime and maximum confidence.
So if you're ready for a less complex, more affordable cloud platform, Linode might just be the fresh start your infrastructure needs.
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