An elegantly dressed woman spray-paints “Independence” on a modern concrete wall, symbolizing digital sovereignty when choosing a cloud provider.

Cloud providers compared: which cloud gives companies more sovereignty?

Cloud providers no longer differ only in terms of storage space, pricing or ease of use. For companies, the key question is how well data, access rights, keys and processes remain controllable. Choosing a cloud service also means deciding on dependencies, switching options and digital sovereignty in everyday work.

Cloud providers now bundle files, collaboration and increasingly AI functions. This is convenient, but it is not neutral: the more processes are tied to one platform, the stronger the dependency on that provider becomes. The Bitkom Cloud Report 2026 shows how relevant this issue has become: 85 percent of companies believe that Germany is too dependent on US cloud providers. 37 percent would even accept limitations if a cloud service processed data exclusively in Germany and protected it from foreign access. Choosing a cloud provider is therefore no longer just an IT procurement decision. It is a strategic decision: Who controls data and keys? Which legal framework applies to the provider? How easily can data, users and processes be moved out again later? And how much control does the company actually retain in everyday operations?

Why companies are reassessing cloud providers

Many companies introduced cloud services because they make collaboration easier: files are available everywhere, sharing works quickly and teams can work independently of location. That is exactly where the value lies.

At the same time, dependency grows when files, accounts, communication and workflows are bundled into a single ecosystem. A later cloud migration then affects not only storage space, but often also identities, permissions, external shares, processes and internal habits.

Convenience can become lock-in. Digital sovereignty does not mean operating every technology yourself. It means understanding dependencies, keeping switching options open and remaining capable of action even in critical situations.

The EU Data Act, applicable since September 2025, addresses this point. It contains provisions intended to make switching between cloud services easier and strengthen interoperability. For companies, this does not replace their own cloud strategy, but it makes one thing clear: portability and exit capability are now essential parts of cloud evaluation.

Cloud providers for companies at a glance

Which cloud provider is the right fit depends heavily on the use case. Is the focus on simple file storage, close office integration, particularly high security requirements or as much control as possible over infrastructure and operations? The following overview provides an initial classification.

Cloud provider Typical strength What to consider
luckycloud Business cloud storage from Germany, zero-knowledge principle, German data centres Check required features and package scope in advance
Microsoft OneDrive Close integration with Microsoft 365 Strong ties to Microsoft services and existing processes
Google Drive Collaboration in Google Workspace Check data region, contractual framework and platform dependency
Dropbox Business Synchronisation and file sharing Governance and security features depend on the plan
Tresorit End-to-end encrypted collaboration Specialised security solution; check fit for the specific use case
DRACOON Data rooms and access control Focus on structured processes and larger organisations
Nextcloud Self-hosting and customisation Requires operational effort and technical expertise
IONOS HiDrive Storage with a Germany focus Check business features in detail

OneDrive and Google Drive are particularly strong when companies already work deeply within Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Dropbox is known for file sharing and synchronisation. Tresorit and DRACOON address protection and governance requirements. Nextcloud offers a high degree of self-control, but also requires technical resources for operation and maintenance.

For companies with high requirements for data protection, German infrastructure and controllable collaboration, luckycloud is a relevant option in this comparison.

How can you identify a sovereignty-oriented cloud provider?

Sovereignty cannot be determined by a single feature. A German server location can be important, but it is not enough on its own. What matters is how much control a company retains legally, technically and organisationally.

Important criteria include:

  • Legal sovereignty: In addition to server location, company headquarters, contractual partners, subcontractors and the applicable legal framework matter.
  • Data sovereignty: Companies should know where files, metadata, logs and backups are processed or stored.
  • Key sovereignty: Encryption is only reliable if it is clear who controls the keys and which content the provider can technically access. The zero-knowledge principle puts exactly this question at the centre.
  • Technological sovereignty: Standards, interfaces and export options reduce lock-in risks and make a later switch easier.
  • Operational sovereignty: Administration, logs, user management and traceable access must remain manageable in everyday operations.

These points help distinguish marketing terms from reliable control mechanisms. When choosing a cloud provider, companies should therefore not only ask: “Where is our data stored?” They should also ask: “How well can we manage, protect and take it with us if needed?”

Large cloud providers: convenience versus sovereignty

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer powerful tools and short integration paths. For many teams, this is practical: files, communication, calendars, identities and collaboration work closely together.

However, this close integration can become a strategic dependency. A switch then affects not only cloud storage, but often also user accounts, permissions, workflows, document processes and external collaboration. That makes leaving the ecosystem organisationally more difficult, even if data can technically be exported.

A German or European server location alone does not automatically solve this issue either. Only the combination of provider structure, legal framework, key control, portability and administrative authority shows how much control remains with the company.

For companies, this means: convenience is valuable, but it should not be the only basis for decision-making. The more sensitive the data and processes, the more important exit capability, transparency and manageability become.

Why luckycloud is a coherent option for companies

luckycloud positions itself as secure business cloud storage from Germany. The service relies on storage in German data centres and the zero-knowledge principle. This means luckycloud addresses exactly the requirements that are becoming increasingly important for many companies when choosing a cloud provider: data residency, confidentiality and controllable collaboration.

In a business context, admin functions and file access logs are also relevant. They help companies make access and changes more traceable and organise cloud usage more effectively. Which functions are needed in a specific package should be checked carefully before making a decision.

luckycloud is a particularly consistent option when companies do not want to fully self-host, but still want more control than in highly integrated international platform ecosystems. The focus is not on as many additional services as possible, but on secure file storage, German infrastructure and manageable collaboration.

Frequently asked questions about cloud providers

What is a cloud provider?

A cloud provider makes storage, software or IT resources available over the internet. This article focuses mainly on services for file storage, synchronisation and collaboration.

Which German cloud providers are available?

Well-known solutions with a Germany or Europe focus include luckycloud, DRACOON, IONOS HiDrive and TeamDrive. Nextcloud can be self-hosted or used through hosting providers.

What is a sovereign cloud provider?

A sovereignty-oriented cloud provider gives companies more control over data, keys, access and a later switch. An EU or German server location can be an important building block, but it is not sufficient on its own.

Are Microsoft and Google sovereign cloud providers?

Microsoft and Google offer extensive security, compliance and data residency functions. Companies should nevertheless assess ownership structure, legal framework, key management, portability and ecosystem dependency separately.

What should companies look for when comparing cloud providers?

Important criteria include data location, encryption, contractual framework, provider structure, export options, admin functions, logging, support and the question of how realistic a later provider switch remains.

Conclusion: choosing a cloud provider is a sovereignty decision

Companies should not choose cloud providers based solely on brand recognition, price or integration. What matters is who controls data, keys and workflows in the long term.

A good cloud provider must make collaboration easier without making new dependencies invisible. This includes clear contractual foundations, traceable security mechanisms, manageable administration and a realistic exit path.

luckycloud combines German infrastructure, the zero-knowledge principle, open-source proximity and business functions for companies that want to organise collaboration more securely and independently. This is particularly relevant for teams and organisations with high requirements for data protection and digital sovereignty.

Find out which luckycloud solution fits your company or get started directly with luckycloud Cloud Services and test luckycloud free for 14 days.

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