AWS Activate vs DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) (2026): Which Is Better for Startups?

Both are cloud credits for startups. Here is how AWS Activate and DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) compare on what a startup gets, who qualifies and how to apply, and which one we would pick.

AWS Activate

Up to $5,000 in AWS credits if you are self-funded, or up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider Org ID.

9.0 /10

Pricing: Up to $200k in credits & perks

Pros

Open to self-funded founders as well as funded startups
Up to $200,000 with an Activate Provider Org ID
Covers the broadest cloud catalogue

Cons

The big tier needs a code from a provider investor or accelerator
Founders tier starts at $1,000; more is at AWS discretion

Visit AWS Activate ↗

DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch)

12 months of DigitalOcean credits, 15 months of free support and partner perks for startups that raised $10M or less.

7.0 /10

Pricing: Free to join

Pros

Open without a partner (choose "Other")
15 months of free Standard support
Simple, predictable platform

Cons

Credit amount is not published and depends on your partner
Core credits exclude GPUs and third-party AI models

Visit DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) ↗

AWS Activate vs DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) at a glance

	AWS Activate	DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch)
Editor score	9.0 / 10	7.0 / 10
Pricing model	Free	Free
What you get	Up to $200k in credits & perks	Free to join
Who qualifies	Pre-Series B, founded within the last 10 years, AWS account on a paid tier plan, new to Activate Credits (or asking for more than before). Portfolio tier needs an Activate Provider Org ID.	Raised $10M or less, company website and matching email, new to DigitalOcean credits; service businesses excluded; AI-native startups prioritised.
Partner code needed	Yes	No
Steps it helps with	claim startup credits, host and deploy, build your mvp, choose your ai coding stack	claim startup credits, host and deploy, build your mvp
Who it is for	Any stage, Pre-seed, Seed stage, Series A+, Bootstrapped, VC-backed only, AI startups, SaaS	Pre-seed, Seed stage, Bootstrapped, VC-backed only, AI startups, SaaS
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	aws, cloud credits, activate	digitalocean, hatch, cloud credits

Our pick

AWS Activate edges it with a score of 9.0 versus 7.0. AWS Activate is the better fit if you value: open to self-funded founders as well as funded startups, up to $200,000 with an activate provider org id. Choose DigitalOcean Startups (Hatch) instead if you need: open without a partner (choose "other"), 15 months of free standard support. Many startups can claim both: see credits by value.