IONOS vs Gcore
Both IONOS and Gcore 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
Gcore
EU- Headquarters
- Luxembourg, LU
- Pricing
- Free
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Gcore uses usage-based pricing, while iONOS starts at €1/month. If you want to try before you buy, Gcore lets you get started without any upfront cost.
- Data residency differs: IONOS hosts data in Germany, GB, Spain, US, while Gcore hosts in Luxembourg, EU, global. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- IONOS was founded in 1988, giving it a 26-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: IONOS offers Cloud servers (VPS) and Dedicated servers, while Gcore provides CDN and Edge cloud. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IONOS | Gcore |
|---|---|---|
| Name | IONOS | Gcore |
| Pricing | From €1/mo | Free |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Montabaur, DE | Luxembourg, LU |
| Data Centers | DE, GB, ES, US | LU, EU, global |
| 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 | ||
| CDN | ||
| Edge cloud | ||
| DDoS protection | ||
| Streaming | ||
| Object storage | ||
| Cloud servers | ||
| AI GPU cloud | ||
| DNS | ||
| Load balancers |
Pricing Comparison
IONOS
From €1/mosubscription
Gcore
Freeusage-based
Compliance Comparison
IONOS
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Gcore
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Get Started
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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 IONOS
IONOS vs Gcore — FAQ
What is the main difference between IONOS and Gcore?
Both IONOS and Gcore are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: IONOS uses subscription pricing while Gcore uses usage-based. IONOS is headquartered in Montabaur, Germany, while Gcore is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, IONOS or Gcore?
IONOS starts at €1/month, while gcore uses usage-based pricing. Pricing models differ (subscription vs. usage-based), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both IONOS and Gcore GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both IONOS and Gcore 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 and Gcore hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.