Hetzner Cloud vs DigitalOcean
Considering a switch from DigitalOcean to a European alternative? Hetzner Cloud offers full GDPR compliance and EU-only data hosting without the legal uncertainties that come with US-based services. Here's how they compare on features, pricing, and data protection.
Quick Overview
Hetzner Cloud
EU- Headquarters
- Gunzenhausen, DE
- Pricing
- From €4.51/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
DigitalOcean
USDigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider offering virtual servers, managed databases, and Kubernetes, popular with developers and startups.
The Case for Hetzner Cloud
- Hetzner Cloud stores all data exclusively in Germany, Finland, under European jurisdiction. Unlike DigitalOcean, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, Hetzner Cloud cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- Hetzner Cloud offers a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that is fully aligned with GDPR Article 28. There is no legal ambiguity about data transfers or adequacy decisions — your data processor is European, and the law that governs it is European.
Why Switch to Hetzner Cloud?
Concerns with DigitalOcean
- US CLOUD Act jurisdiction
- All infrastructure managed by a US-incorporated company
- Limited EU data center options compared to European providers
- US government can compel data access regardless of server location
Hetzner Cloud Compliance
GDPRISO 27001DPA
- Headquarters
- Gunzenhausen, DE
- Data Centers
- DE, FI
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Hetzner Cloud vs DigitalOcean — FAQ
Is DigitalOcean GDPR compliant?
DigitalOcean may offer GDPR compliance features and EU data residency options, but as a US-headquartered company, it remains subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702. These laws can compel US companies to hand over data regardless of where it is stored. The EU-US Data Privacy Framework provides some safeguards, but its predecessors (Safe Harbor and Privacy Shield) were both invalidated by the European Court of Justice. Hetzner Cloud, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does Hetzner Cloud compare to DigitalOcean in features?
Hetzner Cloud offers Cloud servers (VPS), Dedicated servers, Managed Kubernetes, Load balancers, and 6 more features. While DigitalOcean's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, Hetzner Cloud covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (DigitalOcean) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (Hetzner Cloud).
Can I migrate from DigitalOcean to Hetzner Cloud?
Yes. Most European software providers, including Hetzner Cloud, offer migration tools or documentation to help you transition from US-based services. Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability — meaning DigitalOcean must provide your data in a machine-readable format. The migration process varies in complexity depending on your data volume and integrations, but for most teams it can be completed within a few days to a few weeks.