IONOS vs UpCloud
Both IONOS and UpCloud 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
IONOS
EU- Headquarters
- Montabaur, DE
- Pricing
- From €1/mo
- Open Source
- No
UpCloud
EU- Headquarters
- Helsinki, FI
- Pricing
- From €5/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- IONOS starts at €1/month, while upCloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: IONOS hosts data in Germany, GB, Spain, US, while UpCloud hosts in Finland, Germany, Netherlands, GB, Spain, Poland. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- IONOS holds ISO 27001 certification, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. UpCloud 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 23-year head start over UpCloud (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: IONOS offers Cloud servers (VPS) and Dedicated servers, while UpCloud provides High-performance cloud servers and MaxIOPS storage technology. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IONOS | UpCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Name | IONOS | UpCloud |
| Pricing | From €1/mo | From €5/mo (usage-based) |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Montabaur, DE | Helsinki, FI |
| Data Centers | DE, GB, ES, US | FI, DE, NL, GB, ES, PL |
| Cloud servers (VPS) | ||
| Dedicated servers | ||
| Managed Kubernetes | ||
| S3-compatible object storage | ||
| Web hosting | ||
| Domain registration | ||
| Website builder | ||
| Managed WordPress | ||
| Email hosting | ||
| API and CLI tools | ||
| High-performance cloud servers | ||
| MaxIOPS storage technology | ||
| Managed databases | ||
| Object storage | ||
| Load balancers | ||
| SDN networking | ||
| 100% uptime SLA | ||
| Customizable server configurations |
Pricing Comparison
IONOS
From €1/mosubscription
UpCloud
From €5/mo (usage-based)pay-as-you-go
Compliance Comparison
IONOS
GDPRISO 27001DPA
UpCloud
GDPRDPA
Get Started
Categories
How to Choose
Your procurement requires ISO 27001 certification
Choose IONOS
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose UpCloud
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose IONOS
IONOS vs UpCloud — FAQ
What is the main difference between IONOS and UpCloud?
Both IONOS and UpCloud are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: IONOS uses subscription pricing while UpCloud uses pay-as-you-go. IONOS is headquartered in Montabaur, Germany, while UpCloud is based in Helsinki, Finland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, IONOS or UpCloud?
IONOS starts at €1/month, while upCloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. Pricing models differ (subscription vs. pay-as-you-go), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both IONOS and UpCloud GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both IONOS and UpCloud 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, IONOS holds ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.