Hosted in Germany vs. hosting in Germany: Why the difference is decisive for your company

In an increasingly digitalized world, the question of secure, sovereign, and data protection-compliant storage and processing of corporate data is more critical than ever. Companies must decide whether they want to purchase software that stores their data in the public cloud or on their own servers in a data center (Private Cloud) they want to use. In this context, the terms "Hosting in Germany" and "Hosted in Germany" often arise. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do they differ?

Below, we will examine the differences between "Hosting in Germany" and "Hosted in Germany" and explain why Flexopus' dedicated servers in Germany represent a particularly attractive option for companies with the highest demands for data protection and data security, and for whom data sovereignty is especially important.

Basic Concepts: What do "Hosting in Germany" and "Hosted in Germany" mean?

1. Hosting in Germany

The term "Hosting in Germany" primarily describes the physical location of the servers. This means that the servers are located in a data center in Germany. This term therefore indicates that the server hardware and data are stored locally in Germany. A typical example of Hosting in Germany is the use of AWS (Amazon Web Services) in the "eu-central-1" region, which operates servers in Frankfurt.

It is important to understand, however, that the term "Hosting in Germany" makes no statement about the legal framework to which the provider is subject. An American company like AWS, which operates data centers in Germany, is still subject to US law, such as the CLOUD Act, which is subject to the Patriot Act. This means that US authorities can access the data under certain circumstances, even if it is stored in Germany.

2. Hosted in Germany

In contrast, "Hosted in Germany" refers to both the physical location of the servers and the legal framework to which the provider is subject. A company offering "Hosted in Germany" is a German company based in Germany, employing German staff, and subject to German law and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Well-known providers offering "Hosted in Germany" include Hetzner, Ionos, or plusserver.

The advantage of this solution is that all legal matters are governed by German law, and companies do not have to worry about data transfers to third countries or the potential application of foreign laws. This is particularly important for companies subject to strict data protection requirements, such as those in healthcare, finance, or public institutions.

Comparison: AWS (Hosting in Germany) vs. Dedicated Servers from German Providers (Hosted in Germany)

To further illustrate the differences between "Hosting in Germany" and "Hosted in Germany," let's compare AWS (Amazon Web Services) with a German hosting provider like Hetzner.

Why Flexopus Relies on "Hosted in Germany"

In the course of digital transformation and the growth of flexible work models such as desk sharing and home office it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to maintain control over their data and IT infrastructure. Data security and compliance with regulations like the GDPR are crucial for businesses of all sizes and industries, not only to avoid legal consequences but also to secure the trust of customers and partners. 

Data sovereignty becomes particularly important in this context, as companies implementing desk sharing rely on cloud services Data must be accessible everywhere, which also carries risks, especially when data is stored on servers outside Europe. To ensure that sensitive company data and personal employee information do not fall into uncontrolled, foreign legal jurisdictions, it is crucial that the data remains under one's own sovereignty and complies with European data protection standards.

With Flexopus and the use of our own servers at Hetzner Online GmbH, we guarantee you complete control and transparency over your data. We operate our dedicated servers in Hetzner's data centers in Falkenstein and Nuremberg. We administer our servers ourselves, meaning our hosting partner Hetzner only operates the data center and provides the hardware, but has no access to the data whatsoever. This ensures that 100% of your data remains in Germany, subject to German law and strict German data protection guidelines, allowing us to offer you full data sovereignty.

Many competitors advertise "Hosting in Germany," but their servers are located in data centers of international or US-American companies. Even if the server location is in Germany, it cannot be fully guaranteed that data will not flow abroad, for example, due to the US Cloud Act.

Conclusion: "Hosted in Germany" or "Hosting in Germany" - Which is better?

For companies that prioritize data protection, compliance, and data sovereignty, "Hosted in Germany" is the safer and more reliable choice. Dedicated servers offer not only legal certainty but also full control over the infrastructure and data. In contrast, while "Hosting in Germany" with providers like AWS offers scalability and flexibility, it also carries risks regarding access by foreign authorities and legal uncertainties. Therefore, anyone who wants to play it safe should opt for a provider that operates its own infrastructure with a German hosting partner in a German data center.