OVHcloud vs IONOS
Both OVHcloud and IONOS 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
EU- Headquarters
- Roubaix, FR
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
IONOS
EU- Headquarters
- Montabaur, DE
- Pricing
- From €1/mo
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- OVHcloud uses usage-based pricing, while iONOS starts at €1/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 IONOS hosts in Germany, GB, Spain, US. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- OVHcloud holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. IONOS does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter if your organisation requires them for vendor approval.
- IONOS was founded in 1988, giving it a 11-year head start over OVHcloud (founded 1999). 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 Private cloud (VMware), while IONOS provides Cloud servers (VPS) and S3-compatible object storage. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | OVHcloud | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | OVHcloud | IONOS |
| Pricing | Free | From €1/mo |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Roubaix, FR | Montabaur, DE |
| Data Centers | FR, DE, GB, PL, ES | DE, GB, ES, US |
| 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 | ||
| Cloud servers (VPS) | ||
| S3-compatible object storage | ||
| Website builder | ||
| Managed WordPress | ||
| Email hosting | ||
| API and CLI tools |
Pricing Comparison
OVHcloud
Freepay-as-you-go
IONOS
From €1/mosubscription
Compliance Comparison
OVHcloud
GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA
IONOS
GDPRISO 27001DPA
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How to Choose
You're a startup or individual on a budget
Choose OVHcloud
OVHcloud vs IONOS — FAQ
What is the main difference between OVHcloud and IONOS?
Both OVHcloud and IONOS 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 IONOS uses subscription. OVHcloud is headquartered in Roubaix, France, while IONOS is based in Montabaur, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, OVHcloud or IONOS?
OVHcloud uses usage-based pricing, while iONOS starts at €1/month. Pricing models differ (pay-as-you-go vs. subscription), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both OVHcloud and IONOS GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both OVHcloud and IONOS 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 IONOS hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.