OVHcloud vs Microsoft Azure
Considering a switch from Microsoft Azure to a European alternative? OVHcloud 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
OVHcloud
EU- Headquarters
- Roubaix, FR
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Microsoft Azure
USMicrosoft Azure is a cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services including virtual machines, databases, AI, and DevOps tools for building and managing applications.
The Case for OVHcloud
- OVHcloud stores all data exclusively in France, Germany, GB, Poland, Spain, under European jurisdiction. Unlike Microsoft Azure, which is subject to the US CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, OVHcloud cannot be compelled by foreign governments to hand over your data.
- OVHcloud 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.
- You can try OVHcloud for free before committing. This makes it easy to evaluate whether it meets your needs alongside — or as a replacement for — Microsoft Azure, without any financial risk.
Why Switch to OVHcloud?
Concerns with Microsoft Azure
- US CLOUD Act allows US authorities to access data regardless of storage region
- FISA Section 702 surveillance risk for non-US customers
- Data accessible to Microsoft even in EU-located data centers
- Complex compliance configurations needed for EU data residency
OVHcloud Compliance
GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA
- Headquarters
- Roubaix, FR
- Data Centers
- FR, DE, GB, PL, ES
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OVHcloud vs Microsoft Azure — FAQ
Is Microsoft Azure GDPR compliant?
Microsoft Azure 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. OVHcloud, as a European company, is not subject to these US laws at all.
How does OVHcloud compare to Microsoft Azure in features?
OVHcloud offers Public cloud (OpenStack), Dedicated servers, Managed Kubernetes, Private cloud (VMware), and 6 more features. While Microsoft Azure's ecosystem may be larger due to its market position, OVHcloud covers the core functionality that most teams need. The trade-off is typically between breadth of integrations (Microsoft Azure) and data sovereignty with regulatory certainty (OVHcloud).
Can I migrate from Microsoft Azure to OVHcloud?
Yes. Most European software providers, including OVHcloud, 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 Microsoft Azure 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.