UpCloud vs Gcore

Both UpCloud and Gcore 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

UpCloud

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

Gcore

Headquarters: Luxembourg, LU
Pricing: Free
Open Source: No

Key Differences

Gcore uses usage-based pricing, while upCloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. If you want to try before you buy, Gcore lets you get started without any upfront cost.
Data residency differs: UpCloud hosts data in Finland, Germany, Netherlands, GB, Spain, Poland, while Gcore hosts in Luxembourg, EU, global. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
Gcore holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. UpCloud does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
UpCloud was founded in 2011, giving it a 3-year head start over Gcore (founded 2014). 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: UpCloud offers High-performance cloud servers and MaxIOPS storage technology, while Gcore provides CDN and Edge cloud. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.

Feature Comparison

Feature	UpCloud	Gcore
Name	UpCloud	Gcore
Pricing	From €5/mo (usage-based)	Free
Free Tier
GDPR
ISO 27001
Open Source
Headquarters	Helsinki, FI	Luxembourg, LU
Data Centers	FI, DE, NL, GB, ES, PL	LU, EU, global
High-performance cloud servers
MaxIOPS storage technology
Managed databases
Managed Kubernetes
Object storage
Load balancers
SDN networking
100% uptime SLA
API and CLI tools
Customizable server configurations
CDN
Edge cloud
DDoS protection
Streaming
Cloud servers
AI GPU cloud
DNS

Pricing Comparison

UpCloud

From €5/mo (usage-based)

pay-as-you-go

Gcore

Free

usage-based

Compliance Comparison

UpCloud

GDPRDPA

Gcore

GDPRISO 27001DPA

Get Started

Try UpCloud

High-performance European cloud infrastructure

Visit UpCloud

Try Gcore

Luxembourg-based edge cloud and CDN with global infrastructure

Visit Gcore

How to Choose

You're a startup or individual on a budget

Choose Gcore

Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification

Choose Gcore

You need enterprise-grade support and stability

Choose Gcore

You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support

Choose UpCloud

UpCloud vs Gcore — FAQ

What is the main difference between UpCloud and Gcore?

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

Which is more affordable, UpCloud or Gcore?

UpCloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month, while gcore uses usage-based pricing. 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 UpCloud and Gcore GDPR compliant?

Yes. Both UpCloud and Gcore 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, Gcore holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.