Amazon Web Services (AWS) vs. STACKIT: Which cloud leads the pack?

Choosing a cloud platform is a strategic decision – it impacts technical architecture, regulatory compliance, and long-term cost structures. As a certified partner of both Amazon Web Services (AWS) and STACKIT, we offer vendor-neutral advice to companies. Kevin Schu took a precise look at both platforms and is sharing his thoughts.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Amazon Web Services is one of the pioneers of cloud computing. Launched in 2006, AWS evolved from an internal infrastructure project within Amazon into the world’s leading cloud provider. Today, AWS offers a wide range of services and infrastructure, from classic compute resources (EC2), databases, AI services, and container solutions to analytics and security tools.

Notably, AWS offers a mature and highly scalable product portfolio. Companies benefit from globally available infrastructure, tight service integration, and powerful tools for automation, cost control, and governance. Despite the extensive range of services, AWS is considered reliable and future-proof—however, organizations must bring strong cost and architecture management capabilities. In Q4 2024, AWS held a 30% share of the global cloud market.

STACKIT

STACKIT is the cloud platform of the Schwarz Group (including Lidl and Kaufland), developed as a European answer to the major hyperscalers. It focuses on digital sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and maximum transparency. STACKIT operates its data centers exclusively in the EU (currently in Germany and Austria), relies on open standards (e.g., Kubernetes), and targets companies looking for a robust, European-operated cloud alternative.

Technically, STACKIT focuses on core cloud services (compute, storage, databases, Kubernetes) and is gradually expanding its product suite. The platform is particularly attractive for organizations with regulatory requirements or high demands for data sovereignty.

Technical Functionality

Most cloud projects begin with similar questions: How flexibly can compute resources be provisioned? How well does data processing work? And how quickly can applications be deployed?

Both AWS and STACKIT offer solid technical foundations but differ significantly in breadth and depth.

AWS:

• Market leader with over 200 services
• Broad portfolio: compute, AI/ML, serverless, IoT, DevOps, big data
• Global availability and one-click auto-scaling

STACKIT:

• Focus on core services (compute, Kubernetes, databases, object storage)
• Based on open source (e.g., OpenStack, PostgreSQL, Redis, Kubernetes)
• Ideal for standardized workloads, high stability, easy integration

Conclusion:

• AWS offers the greater variety for complex, highly specialized requirements
• STACKIT provides a robust set for typical enterprise workloads, deliberately built on open source and standards, with clear API transparency and lower vendor lock-in

Infrastructure & Scalability

While AWS relies on a global network of data centers, STACKIT takes a deliberately regional approach focusing on the DACH region.

AWS:

• 36 regions worldwide with 114+ availability zones (AZs)
• Multi-AZ architectures as standard
• Ideal for globally distributed applications with geo-redundancy

STACKIT:

• Two regions in Germany and Austria (expanding)
• Three AZs in the Heilbronn area for high-availability architectures
• Focus on the DACH region with low latency across Central Europe

Conclusion:

• AWS offers global scalability and worldwide redundancy
• STACKIT focuses on European availability with high failover security within the EU

"While AWS implements established privacy safeguards and has announced an EU sovereign cloud, STACKIT positions itself from the outset as a European cloud platform with clear legal separation", Kevin Schu, Director Cloud & DevOps / AOE

Data Protection, Compliance & Digital Sovereignty

In regulated industries or when handling sensitive customer data, data sovereignty is crucial. While AWS implements established privacy safeguards and has announced an EU Sovereign Cloud, STACKIT positions itself from the outset as a European cloud platform with clear legal separation.

AWS:

• Regional data storage (e.g., Frankfurt) possible
• Privacy features: encryption, customer-managed keys, logging
• Planned AWS European Sovereign Cloud (end of 2025), operated solely by EU personnel in Germany

STACKIT:

• 100% EU cloud: infrastructure, operations, legal framework in DE/AT
• No U.S. parent company, no CLOUD Act exposure
• GDPR-compliant, data stored exclusively in the EU
• Commitment to open source and transparency (e.g., OpenStack, Kubernetes)

Conclusion:

• STACKIT currently has the edge for sovereign IT strategies with maximum data protection
• AWS is catching up with its planned EU cloud but already offers extensive compliance features

Costs & Pricing Model

Cloud costs are not just a matter of list prices. What matters is how transparent, predictable, and optimizable the pricing structure is over time.

AWS:

• Pay-as-you-go with a complex pricing model per service
• Savings Plans, Reserved & Spot Instances available
• Frequent cost surprises for egress and special services

STACKIT:

• Transparent hourly rates, easy to calculate
• Competitive pricing (especially for storage & compute in EU comparisons)
• No complex additional costs for data transfers within the region
• Attractive pricing through certified STACKIT resellers, e.g., AOE

Conclusion:

• AWS requires active FinOps management but offers more discount options
• STACKIT impresses with predictability and competitive prices for EU-centric scenarios

Ecosystem, Support & Integration

The best technology is of limited value if it doesn’t integrate into existing processes or if access to expertise is lacking. AWS offers a globally established partner network, while STACKIT stands out with personal support and open integration – especially for clients focused on the DACH region and with an affinity for open source.

AWS:

• Massive global partner network
• Extensive documentation, training programs, marketplace
• Scalable support (from basic to enterprise)

STACKIT:

• Direct 24/7 support in German/English
• Partner network focused on the DACH region
• Marketplace for open-source-focused tools
• High interoperability with Terraform, Git, Kubernetes, etc.

Conclusion:

• AWS is globally connected with a rich ecosystem
• STACKIT scores with personal proximity, EU mindset, and technical openness

Our Role as AOE

As a certified partner of both AWS and STACKIT, we support our customers throughout the entire cloud journey:

• Cloud readiness assessments
• Migration strategies & technical implementation
• Cloud-native architecture consulting & operations
• FinOps & cost optimization
• Multi-cloud strategies for regulatory and technical balance

Whether AWS or STACKIT, you don’t have to choose. Together, we’ll find the ideal cloud or cloud combination for your specific needs.