Gcore vs Exoscale
Both Gcore and Exoscale 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
Gcore
EU- Headquarters
- Luxembourg, LU
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Exoscale
EU- Headquarters
- Lausanne, CH
- Pricing
- From €5/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Gcore uses usage-based pricing, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. This makes Gcore more accessible for individuals and small teams exploring their options before committing.
- Data residency differs: Gcore hosts data in Luxembourg, EU, global, while Exoscale hosts in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Exoscale holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Gcore does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
- Exoscale 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: Gcore offers CDN and Edge cloud, while Exoscale provides Compute instances and Managed Kubernetes (SKS). Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gcore | Exoscale |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Gcore | Exoscale |
| Pricing | Free | From €5/mo (usage-based) |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Luxembourg, LU | Lausanne, CH |
| Data Centers | LU, EU, global | CH, DE, AT, BG |
| CDN | ||
| Edge cloud | ||
| DDoS protection | ||
| Streaming | ||
| Object storage | ||
| Cloud servers | ||
| Managed Kubernetes | ||
| AI GPU cloud | ||
| DNS | ||
| Load balancers | ||
| Compute instances | ||
| Managed Kubernetes (SKS) | ||
| Managed databases | ||
| Block storage | ||
| Private networks | ||
| API | ||
| CLI | ||
| EU data sovereignty |
Pricing Comparison
Gcore
Freeusage-based
Exoscale
From €5/mo (usage-based)usage-based
Compliance Comparison
Gcore
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Exoscale
GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA
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How to Choose
You're a startup or individual on a budget
Choose Gcore
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Gcore
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Exoscale
Gcore vs Exoscale — FAQ
What is the main difference between Gcore and Exoscale?
Both Gcore and Exoscale are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Gcore offers a free tier while Exoscale does not. Gcore is headquartered in Luxembourg, Luxembourg, while Exoscale is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Gcore or Exoscale?
Gcore uses usage-based pricing, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. Both use usage-based pricing, so compare the tiers that match your team size and feature needs.
Are both Gcore and Exoscale GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Gcore and Exoscale 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 and Exoscale hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.