The demand for cloud services in Europe continues to grow relentlessly. Digital transformation, the rise of remote work, and the need for technological sovereignty and regulatory compliance (such as GDPR) are driving companies and public institutions to seek secure, scalable cloud alternatives with data centers located in Europe. Speed, reliability, and specialized technical support are key factors in this choice.
Below, we present an analysis of the main European cloud infrastructure providers in 2025, their advantages, disadvantages, and what sets them apart in the market.
1. Stackscale
Stackscale (Aire Group) is one of the leading European providers of private cloud and bare-metal infrastructure. With data centers in Madrid (featuring two zones with synchronous storage solutions RTO=0 and RPO=0) and Amsterdam, the company offers solutions aimed at businesses that need performance, flexibility, and total control over their systems.
Advantages:
- Dedicated and high-performance infrastructure.
- Data centers in Europe with security certifications and premium connectivity.
- Unlimited traffic between its data centers.
- Specialized technical support and personalized attention.
- Virtualization solutions for private cloud based on VMware and Proxmox.
- Bare-metal options that allow customers to install their own hypervisor or any technological solution.
Disadvantages:
- Focused on businesses; does not offer services for personal projects or individual users.
- Contracting is done via commercial contact and personalized proposals.
2. OVHCloud
The French giant OVHCloud has more than 40 data centers and offers a wide range of cloud services and dedicated servers.
Advantages:
- Wide variety of products: dedicated servers, public cloud, and hybrid solutions.
- Flexible hourly billing.
- DRaaS included in its professional offer.
Disadvantages:
- Complex control panel for inexperienced users.
- Technical support could be improved.
3. IONOS by 1&1
A European provider with a strong presence in Germany, Spain, and the UK, aimed at SMEs and freelancers.
Advantages:
- Affordable and transparent prices.
- Wide catalog of services: from web hosting to dedicated servers.
- Personalized account manager for businesses.
Disadvantages:
- Unintuitive interface.
- Slow technical support at times.
4. Hetzner
A German provider known for its reliability and competitive prices.
Advantages:
- Proprietary data centers with high standards.
- Included DDoS protection at no cost.
- Configurable dedicated servers.
Disadvantages:
- Outdated control panel.
- Limited to servers in Europe and the U.S.
5. UpCloud
A fast-growing Finnish company focused on scalability and performance.
Advantages:
- Intuitive and easy-to-use panel.
- Flexible pricing with hourly billing.
- Extensive documentation.
Disadvantages:
- Slow technical support during peak hours.
- Requires advanced knowledge for configuration.
6. Contabo
A German provider that stands out for its affordable prices and good value for money.
Advantages:
- Affordable VPS.
- Included DDoS protection.
- Data centers in Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
Disadvantages:
- Very basic management interface.
- Response times from support could be improved.
Comparative Table of European Cloud Providers (2025)
Provider | Data Centers | Main Focus | 24/7 Support | DDoS Protection | Flexible Billing | Virtualization / Bare-metal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stackscale | Madrid, Amsterdam | Private cloud and bare-metal servers | Yes | Yes | Customized | VMware, Proxmox, unrestricted bare-metal |
OVHCloud | 40+ globally | Public cloud, hybrid, dedicated servers | Yes | Yes | Hourly and monthly | OpenStack, VMware, dedicated servers |
IONOS | Europe, U.S. | Hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers | Yes | Not specified | Monthly | Dedicated servers with Intel Xeon |
Hetzner | Germany, U.S. | Dedicated servers and VPS | Yes | Included | Monthly | Configurable bare-metal and VPS |
UpCloud | Europe, U.S., Asia, Australia | Public cloud, high performance | Yes | Not specified | Hourly and monthly | Customizable cloud servers |
Contabo | Europe, U.S., Asia | Affordable VPS and dedicated servers | Yes | Included | Monthly | VPS and dedicated servers |
The choice of cloud provider will depend on the type of project, the level of control required, and the budget. For companies seeking digital sovereignty, performance, and flexibility without ties to large foreign corporations, Stackscale positions itself as one of the best European alternatives in 2025.