PPlatformAppStores

DigitalOcean Marketplace

Cloud

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc. · Cloud & infra marketplaces

Best for: Vendors of self-hosted or open-source software offering fast 1-Click deployment to developers and SMBs.

Overview

DigitalOcean Marketplace is a distribution channel for deployable software on DigitalOcean's cloud, aimed at developers and small-to-mid businesses rather than enterprise procurement. Its core unit is the 1-Click App: a pre-built, hardened virtual-machine (Droplet) image or Kubernetes configuration that automates package installation, firewall rules, and setup so a customer can launch a working stack in a single click. There are three listing categories — Droplet 1-Click Apps, Kubernetes 1-Click Apps, and SaaS Add-Ons.

The billing model is infrastructure-centric: most 1-Click Apps are free to list and the customer simply pays DigitalOcean for the underlying compute they run, making cost usage-based on infrastructure rather than a per-license fee. This makes the marketplace especially strong for open-source and self-hosted software distribution. Vendors build a golden image on a build Droplet, then submit it through the Vendor Portal for review; DigitalOcean provides open-source image-validation tooling that enforces cleanup and security requirements before a listing goes live. Deployment for end users is API- and token-driven, fitting DigitalOcean's developer-first positioning.

How to build & ship

  1. 1Sign up as a vendor and create an account on the DigitalOcean Vendor Portal, accepting the Marketplace vendor terms
  2. 2Build a 1-Click Droplet image (Packer with the DigitalOcean builder is recommended) or package a Kubernetes 1-Click app
  3. 3Run DigitalOcean's image validation tooling (marketplace-partners scripts) to confirm the image passes required tests
  4. 4Prepare listing content, install/usage docs, and pricing (many are free/BYOL)
  5. 5Submit the final image and listing through the Vendor Portal for DigitalOcean review, then publish once approved

Key APIs & SDKs

DigitalOcean Vendor Portal
Packer (DigitalOcean builder)
marketplace-partners image validation tools
DigitalOcean API
1-Click Apps framework (Droplet and Kubernetes)

Integration types

Embedded app
Connector

Authentication & security

  • Primary auth: PAT
  • Also supports: OAuth 2.0, API key
  • Security review: Required
  • Vendors submit a prepared image to the Marketplace team; images must pass DigitalOcean's validation and cleanup checks before listing.
  • The Marketplace team reviews the submitted image/app against Marketplace requirements via the Vendor Portal, and DigitalOcean may reject any submission at its discretion; a specific SLA is not published.
  • DigitalOcean API enforces documented per-hour request caps; the deployed app's runtime is governed by the chosen Droplet/Kubernetes size.
Auth docs Store policies

Monetization

Free
Usage-based
Paid app
Onboarding
None to list a 1-Click App
Commission
1-Click Apps: customer pays for underlying compute; paid SaaS add-on terms vary
Merchant of Record
DigitalOcean bills the customer for underlying infrastructure

Pros & cons for builders

Pros

  • Simple, developer-friendly 1-Click deployment model
  • Open, scriptable image build/validation flow with public tooling
  • Reaches DigitalOcean's large base of startups, SMBs, and individual developers
  • Low barrier to entry for open-source and self-hosted software

Cons

  • Primarily image/self-hosted 1-Click apps rather than a full transactable SaaS billing platform
  • Smaller, less enterprise-oriented buyer base than the hyperscaler marketplaces
  • Monetization options are more limited

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my app approved on DigitalOcean Marketplace?

The Marketplace team reviews the submitted image/app against Marketplace requirements via the Vendor Portal, and DigitalOcean may reject any submission at its discretion; a specific SLA is not published.

What authentication does DigitalOcean Marketplace use?

DigitalOcean Marketplace apps primarily authenticate with PAT, also supporting OAuth 2.0, API key.

How is DigitalOcean Marketplace monetized?

DigitalOcean Marketplace supports Free, Usage-based, Paid app. Typical commission: 1-Click Apps: customer pays for underlying compute; paid SaaS add-on terms vary. Onboarding fee: None to list a 1-Click App.

Is a security review required to list on DigitalOcean Marketplace?

Yes, DigitalOcean Marketplace requires a formal security or listing review before apps go live. Vendors submit a prepared image to the Marketplace team; images must pass DigitalOcean's validation and cleanup checks before listing.