Cloud Storage
Enterprise Storage
IONOS HiDrive
IONOS HiDrive Alternative: Achieving Sovereign, Enterprise-Grade Storage in 2025
Many businesses using services like IONOS HiDrive face challenges with feature limitations and true data sovereignty. A modern cloud object storage offers a path to GDPR compliance, ransomware resilience, and zero egress fees.
Key Takeawys
True digital sovereignty requires a cloud provider under exclusive EU legal jurisdiction to avoid foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act.
An enterprise-grade IONOS HiDrive alternative must provide full S3 API compatibility, including Object Lock for ransomware protection.
A predictable cost model with zero egress or API fees aligns with the 2025 EU Data Act and enables stable margins for MSPs.
For UK and European businesses, selecting a cloud storage solution involves more than just capacity and price. True digital sovereignty, protection from foreign laws like the US CLOUD Act, and predictable costs are now primary criteria for over 60% of IT leaders. While services like IONOS HiDrive offer a starting point with German data centers, the enterprise requirements of 2025 demand more: full S3 API compatibility, immutable backups for ransomware defense, and a cost model free of hidden egress or API fees. This article outlines a strategic alternative, focusing on achieving these advanced capabilities without compromising on performance or compliance, ensuring your data strategy is ready for regulations like NIS-2 and the EU Data Act.
Establish True Digital Sovereignty Beyond Geofencing
Storing data in European data centers is a critical first step, a feature offered by many providers including IONOS HiDrive. However, true sovereignty means the provider's legal jurisdiction is also exclusively European, eliminating exposure to foreign government data requests under laws like the US CLOUD Act. Research shows that for 70% of EU organizations, the provider's origin is a key selection criterion to ensure data is governed solely by EU rules. This legal separation is the only guaranteed way to maintain digital sovereignty. A truly sovereign cloud ensures that not even the cloud provider can be compelled by a non-EU entity to access your encrypted data. This approach moves beyond simple data residency to provide complete legal and operational control, a necessity for regulated industries. This foundation of control prepares your infrastructure for the next level of operational excellence.
Eliminate Unpredictable Costs with a Zero-Egress-Fee Model
A major pain point in cloud economics is unpredictable billing, with egress fees and API call charges causing budget overruns of up to 30% for many firms. While a service may seem affordable, costs for data retrieval or application integration can quickly escalate. An alternative model eliminates these variables entirely: no egress fees, no API call costs, and no minimum storage durations. This transparent approach provides predictable margins, a key benefit for the 85% of MSPs who cite cost stability as vital for their BaaS offerings. The upcoming EU Data Act, set for enforcement in September 2025, will mandate the removal of switching charges to prevent vendor lock-in, making a zero-egress model a forward-thinking choice. Predictable by design, this economic model aligns with future EU policy on data portability. With costs under control, the focus can shift to leveraging advanced, enterprise-grade features.
Leverage Full S3 Compatibility for Enterprise Workloads
Basic file storage is no longer sufficient for modern enterprise needs, where S3 compatibility is the industry standard for over 80% of cloud-native applications. An enterprise-grade object storage solution must offer more than just simple storage, unlike some platforms with limited integrations. It requires full S3 API compatibility to ensure existing tools, scripts, and backup software work without modification. An advanced platform should include:
Object Lock: Create immutable backups for robust ransomware protection and WORM compliance.
Lifecycle Management: Automate data tiering and deletion policies without manual intervention.
Versioning: Protect against accidental deletions or corruption by keeping multiple versions of an object.
“Always-Hot” Access: Ensure all data is immediately accessible with zero restore delays, a model that simplifies operations for 95% of backup and recovery scenarios.
This level of functionality, detailed in our cloud storage comparison, protects technology investments and simplifies migration. Such robust features are the bedrock of a resilient data protection strategy.
Build a Resilient Ransomware Defense with Immutable Backups
With ransomware attacks increasing by over 90% in the last year, a reactive security posture is inadequate. Immutable storage, enabled via S3 Object Lock, is a core defense mechanism. It makes backup data unchangeable and undeletable for a set period, rendering it impervious to ransomware encryption. This feature is a significant step up from basic backup services that may lack such robust protection. For a comprehensive security posture, this should be combined with multi-layer encryption and granular Identity and Access Management (IAM) with MFA and role-based access controls. Immutable backups are your last line of defense, ensuring a clean recovery path is always available. This proactive security aligns perfectly with the heightened requirements of new EU cybersecurity directives. You can learn more about data security strategies on our blog. This focus on resilience is essential for meeting modern compliance standards.
Future-Proof Your Compliance for NIS-2 and the EU Data Act
Beginning in 2025, two major EU regulations will reshape the cloud landscape. The NIS-2 Directive mandates stricter cybersecurity measures, including supply chain security and incident reporting, for a wider range of sectors. A cloud provider aligned with NIS-2 must demonstrate continuous security processes and resilience by design. Simultaneously, the EU Data Act will enforce data portability and interoperability, requiring providers to offer clear exit paths without punitive fees. A platform built on open standards and full S3 compatibility inherently supports these principles, ensuring you can migrate data without lock-in. Choosing a provider that is already aligned with these regulations, as detailed in our GDPR compliance guide, is a strategic advantage. This regulatory readiness is particularly beneficial for partners and resellers.
Empower MSPs and Channel Partners with a Predictable Growth Model
For MSPs and resellers, profitability depends on predictable margins and operational efficiency. A cloud storage partner should be partner-ready by design. The zero-egress-fee model is a game-changer, allowing partners to build BaaS and DRaaS solutions with stable, defensible margins for over 90% of use cases. Key features for the channel should include:
A multi-tenant console for streamlined client management.
Full automation capabilities via API/CLI for efficient onboarding and reporting.
Out-of-the-box integrations with leading backup tools like NovaBackup.
Expanded local access through new distribution partners, such as api in Germany and Northamber plc in the UK.
This partner-centric approach simplifies compliance and accelerates time-to-market for new services. For those considering a switch, our migration guide offers practical steps. This powerful combination of features and business model provides a clear path forward.
Take the Next Step Towards Sovereign Cloud Storage
More Links
German Data Protection Conference (DSK) presents a resolution on confidential cloud computing.
German Data Protection Conference (DSK) offers a position paper outlining criteria for sovereign clouds.
KPMG presents the Cloud Monitor 2022, providing insights into cloud adoption and trends.
Bitkom contains the Cloud Report 2024, including charts and data on cloud usage and the cloud market.
Fraunhofer Cloud Computing provides information about their research and services in the cloud computing domain.
European Commission describes the European data strategy, a key initiative for a digital Europe.
FAQ
What makes this a strong IONOS HiDrive alternative for businesses?
This solution serves as a strong alternative by offering true digital sovereignty under EU law, full enterprise-grade S3 API compatibility with features like Object Lock, and a predictable pricing model with no egress or API fees. It is designed for complex use cases like backup, disaster recovery, and ransomware protection.
How does this platform help with ransomware protection?
The platform provides robust ransomware protection through S3 Object Lock, which makes your backup data immutable. This means backups cannot be altered or deleted by attackers, guaranteeing a secure copy for recovery. This is combined with multi-layer encryption and strict access controls.
Is it difficult to migrate from another cloud provider?
Migration is simplified due to full S3 API compatibility. Existing tools, scripts, and applications that use the S3 protocol can be pointed to the new endpoint with minimal changes. This protects your existing investments and reduces migration complexity.
How does the pricing model provide predictability?
The pricing model is designed for complete transparency and predictability. It eliminates common hidden costs by charging only for the storage you use, with no fees for data egress (downloads) or API requests, and no minimum storage duration.
How is data sovereignty ensured?
Data sovereignty is ensured by operating exclusively in certified European data centers and under a strictly EU-based legal framework. This combination of physical data residency and legal jurisdiction prevents exposure to non-EU laws like the US CLOUD Act, guaranteeing your data is governed only by EU regulations.
What benefits does this solution offer to MSPs and channel partners?
MSPs and partners benefit from a predictable margin model due to the absence of egress and API fees. The platform is partner-ready with a multi-tenant console, automation via API/CLI, and integrations with leading backup vendors, enabling them to build and scale profitable BaaS and archiving services quickly.
