OVHcloud vs Exoscale

Both OVHcloud and Exoscale are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the cloud hosting & iaas space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.

Quick Overview

OVHcloud

Headquarters: Roubaix, FR
Pricing: Free
Open Source: No

Exoscale

Headquarters: Lausanne, CH
Pricing: From €5/mo (usage-based)
Open Source: No

Key Differences

OVHcloud uses usage-based pricing, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. This makes OVHcloud more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring their options before committing.
Data residency differs: OVHcloud hosts data in France, Germany, GB, Poland, Spain, while Exoscale hosts in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
OVHcloud was founded in 1999, giving it a 12-year head start over Exoscale (founded 2011). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
Each product has unique strengths: OVHcloud offers Public cloud (OpenStack) and Dedicated servers, while Exoscale provides Compute instances and Managed Kubernetes (SKS). Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.

Feature Comparison

Feature	OVHcloud	Exoscale
Name	OVHcloud	Exoscale
Pricing	Free	From €5/mo (usage-based)
Free Tier
GDPR
ISO 27001
Open Source
Headquarters	Roubaix, FR	Lausanne, CH
Data Centers	FR, DE, GB, PL, ES	CH, DE, AT, BG
Public cloud (OpenStack)
Dedicated servers
Managed Kubernetes
Private cloud (VMware)
Object storage
Managed databases
AI training and inference
Bare metal cloud
Web hosting
Domain registration
Compute instances
Managed Kubernetes (SKS)
DNS
Block storage
Private networks
API
CLI
EU data sovereignty

Pricing Comparison

OVHcloud

Free

pay-as-you-go

Exoscale

From €5/mo (usage-based)

usage-based

Compliance Comparison

OVHcloud

GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA

Exoscale

GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA

Get Started

Try OVHcloud

Major European cloud infrastructure provider

Visit OVHcloud

Try Exoscale

Swiss cloud infrastructure with full EU data sovereignty

Visit Exoscale

How to Choose

You're a startup or individual on a budget

Choose OVHcloud

You need enterprise-grade support and stability

Choose Exoscale

You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support

Choose OVHcloud

OVHcloud vs Exoscale — FAQ

What is the main difference between OVHcloud and Exoscale?

Both OVHcloud and Exoscale are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: OVHcloud uses pay-as-you-go pricing while Exoscale uses usage-based. OVHcloud is headquartered in Roubaix, France, while Exoscale is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.

Which is more affordable, OVHcloud or Exoscale?

OVHcloud uses usage-based pricing, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. Pricing models differ (pay-as-you-go vs. usage-based), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.

Are both OVHcloud and Exoscale GDPR compliant?

Yes. Both OVHcloud and Exoscale are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, OVHcloud and Exoscale hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.