How to Create an Account and Droplet in DigitalOcean: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Introduction

If you want to host a website, run a Python bot, or deploy a database, you need a server. DigitalOcean is one of the most popular and user-friendly cloud providers in the world. Their servers are called "Droplets".

A Droplet is simply a virtual computer in the cloud that stays on 24/7. It gives you full control (Root Access) to install whatever software you want.

In this guide, we will walk you through exactly how to create your first DigitalOcean account and launch your first Droplet in less than 10 minutes.

Prerequisites

• A valid Email Address (or Google/GitHub account).

• A Credit/Debit Card or PayPal (required for identity verification, even for free credits).

   

Part 1: Creating Your DigitalOcean Account

Before we build a server, we need an account. DigitalOcean often offers $200 free credit for new users (valid for 60 days), so make sure you look for a referral link if you can!

1. Visit the Website: Go to DigitalOcean.com.

    

2. Sign Up: Click the "Sign Up" button in the top right corner.
3. Choose Method: You can sign up using:
   • Email: Enter your name, email, and a strong password.
   • Google/GitHub: Faster and easier if you already have these accounts.
4. Verify Identity: This is the most important step. DigitalOcean needs to verify you are a real person (not a bot). You must add a payment method:
   • Card: They may charge a small temporary amount (like $1) and refund it immediately.
   • PayPal: You may need to make a small pre-payment (e.g., $5).

5. Access Dashboard: Once verified, you will land on the main Cloud Control Panel.

    

Part 2: Creating Your First Droplet (Server)

Now, let's launch your virtual machine.

Step 1: Open the Create Menu

In the top-right corner of your dashboard, click the big green "Create" button. From the dropdown menu, select "Droplets".

Step 2: Choose a Region (Data Center)

You will see a map of the world.

• Tip: Always choose a location closest to your users.
  • If your audience is in India, choose Bangalore.
  • If in the US, choose New York or San Francisco.
  • If in Europe, choose London or Frankfurt.

Step 3: Choose an Image (Operating System)

This is the software your server will run.

• OS: Select Ubuntu (It is the most popular and easiest for beginners).
• Version: Choose the latest "LTS" (Long Term Support) version, such as 24.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS.

Step 4: Choose Size (CPU & RAM)

DigitalOcean offers different types of CPUs.

• Basic: Best for beginners, personal websites, and blogs.
• Premium Intel/AMD: Faster, good for business apps.
• Recommendation: For a simple start, select "Basic" -> "Regular Disk Type" -> $4/month or $6/month plan. This gives you 512MB or 1GB RAM, which is enough for testing.

Step 5: Choose Authentication Method (Password vs. SSH Key)

This is how you will log in to your server.

• Option A: SSH Key (Secure): Recommended for professionals. You upload a key file from your computer.
• Option B: Password (Easiest): Select "Password". Create a very strong root password.
  • Must contain: 1 Uppercase, 1 Number, and not end in a number or special character.
  • Write this down! You cannot easily recover it later.

Step 6: Finalize and Create

1. Hostname: Give your Droplet a simple name (e.g., my-first-server or web-server-01).
2. Backups (Optional): You can enable weekly backups (costs roughly 20% of the droplet price).

3. Click "Create Droplet": The big blue button at the bottom.

    

Part 3: Accessing Your Droplet

Wait about 30–60 seconds. You will see a progress bar. Once it finishes, you will see an IP Address (e.g., 164.90.12.11) next to your new Droplet.

How to Login:

1. Open your computer's terminal (Command Prompt on Windows, Terminal on Mac/Linux).
2. Type the following command:

     ssh root@YOUR_DROPLET_IP

1. (Replace YOUR_DROPLET_IP with the numbers shown on your dashboard).
2. Type yes if asked to confirm connection.
3. Enter the password you created in Step 5. (Note: When typing the password, the cursor won't move. This is normal security. Just type and hit Enter).

Congratulations! You are now inside your own cloud server.