Hetzner Cloud vs IONOS
Both Hetzner Cloud and IONOS 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
Hetzner Cloud
EU- Headquarters
- Gunzenhausen, DE
- Pricing
- From €4.51/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
IONOS
EU- Headquarters
- Montabaur, DE
- Pricing
- From €1/mo
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Hetzner Cloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €4.51/month, while iONOS starts at €1/month. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: Hetzner Cloud hosts data in Germany, Finland, while IONOS hosts in Germany, GB, Spain, US. 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 9-year head start over Hetzner Cloud (founded 1997). 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: Hetzner Cloud offers Load balancers and Block storage, while IONOS provides S3-compatible object storage and Web hosting. Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hetzner Cloud | IONOS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Hetzner Cloud | IONOS |
| Pricing | From €4.51/mo (usage-based) | From €1/mo |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Gunzenhausen, DE | Montabaur, DE |
| Data Centers | DE, FI | DE, GB, ES, US |
| Cloud servers (VPS) | ||
| Dedicated servers | ||
| Managed Kubernetes | ||
| Load balancers | ||
| Block storage | ||
| Object storage | ||
| Firewalls | ||
| Floating IPs | ||
| DNS management | ||
| API and CLI tools | ||
| S3-compatible object storage | ||
| Web hosting | ||
| Domain registration | ||
| Website builder | ||
| Managed WordPress | ||
| Email hosting |
Pricing Comparison
Hetzner Cloud
From €4.51/mo (usage-based)pay-as-you-go
IONOS
From €1/mosubscription
Compliance Comparison
Hetzner Cloud
GDPRISO 27001DPA
IONOS
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Get Started
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How to Choose
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose IONOS
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Hetzner Cloud
Hetzner Cloud vs IONOS — FAQ
What is the main difference between Hetzner Cloud and IONOS?
Both Hetzner Cloud and IONOS are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Hetzner Cloud uses pay-as-you-go pricing while IONOS uses subscription. Hetzner Cloud is headquartered in Gunzenhausen, Germany, while IONOS is based in Montabaur, Germany. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Hetzner Cloud or IONOS?
Hetzner Cloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €4.51/month, while iONOS starts at €1/month. Pricing models differ (pay-as-you-go vs. subscription), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Hetzner Cloud and IONOS GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Hetzner Cloud and IONOS 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, Hetzner Cloud and IONOS hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.