Many Swiss companies remain skeptical about entrusting their data to a U.S.-based hyperscaler. Fortunately, Xelon offers a Swiss alternative to Microsoft Azure. In this blog post, Xelon CEO and Swiss Cloud pioneer Michael Dudli presents a direct comparison between Microsoft Azure and Xelon.
Choosing the right Cloud provider is a critical step for IT service providers, internal IT departments, and software companies. Factors like budget, technical expertise, regulatory requirements, and long-term IT strategy priorities significantly influence which Cloud provider is the best fit.
This blog compares Xelon and Azure in terms of pricing structure, support, data sovereignty, user experience, and hybrid Cloud strategies.
Xelon versus Microsoft Azure
| Xelon (Swiss Cloud) | Microsoft Azure (Global Cloud) | |
| Pricing Transparency | Predictable, transparent pricing without hidden fees (e.g., no extra charges for basic network traffic or support) | Complex usage-based pricing with many additional costs for traffic, support, and add-ons |
| Support Experience | Local Swiss support in German or English via phone or email – personalized and accessible | Global support model, basic support often self-service; personal support comes at an extra cost |
| Data Sovereignty | Data stored exclusively in Swiss data centers, fully under Swiss law – no CLOUD Act risk | Data may be hosted in Switzerland but remains subject to U.S. CLOUD Act regulations |
| User-Friendliness | Intuitive platform (Xelon HQ), fast setup, no prior Cloud knowledge required | Over 200 services, complex to manage, often requires specialist knowledge |
| Hybrid Cloud Strategy | Enables local hybrid solutions without own data centers – easy to integrate with other Clouds | Supports hybrid scenarios (e.g., Azure Arc), but typically as part of an Azure-centric strategy |
Pricing Transparency: Predictable Costs vs. Complexity
Xelon is committed to clear, easy-to-understand pricing. No surprises after signing and no hidden costs for network traffic or basic support. For IT service providers, this means quotes for customers can be calculated reliably.
Are you curious how a much secure, Swiss-based Cloud infrastructure would cost your IT service company? You can calculate it here.
Azure, on the other hand, offers a flexible but often confusing pricing model. Services like compute, storage, traffic, and monitoring each come with separate charges. Without careful oversight, costs can spiral – especially for SMEs, this can lead to unpleasant surprises on the monthly bill.
Support: Local & Personal vs. Global & Standardized
Xelon provides Swiss support by local Cloud engineers via phone or email, in German or English. Support levels can be selected without paying extra for basic support. This means fast help without language barriers or waiting lines.
Azure uses a globally standardized and tiered support model. Without a paid support plan (starting at around CHF 30 per month), only community support is available. Even with paid support, the experience is often impersonal and slow – which is less than ideal for time-sensitive issues.
Data Sovereignty: Switzerland or the USA?
Xelon stores all customer data exclusively in Swiss data centers and is fully subject to Swiss data protection laws. There is no risk of U.S. legal access via the CLOUD Act.
Azure does operate data centers in Switzerland (e.g., Zurich and Geneva), but as a U.S.-based company, it is still subject to the CLOUD Act. This means U.S. authorities can demand access to data even if it is physically stored in Switzerland.
User Experience: Fast and Simple or Powerful and Complex?
The Xelon HQ Cloud management platform is designed for ease of use and quick deployment. Virtual machines or Kubernetes clusters can be set up in minutes – even without deep Cloud expertise. This is ideal for SMEs or startups that need to move fast and pragmatically.
You can experience this in a live demo of the Xelon HQ platform.
Azure, by contrast, offers extensive features, but requires time and technical expertise to navigate. Getting started is complex and often requires certified Azure professionals. For simpler projects, this can become a barrier.
Hybrid Cloud: Beyond the Server Room Without Vendor Lock-in
Xelon helps companies replace their on-prem infrastructure easily, without becoming dependent on a hyperscaler. Data remains in Switzerland, while connections to other Clouds are still possible. This enables a gradual, flexible Cloud migration if desired.
Azure also supports hybrid scenarios (such as with Azure Arc and ExpressRoute), but often positions itself as the central element in the architecture. Companies looking to stay independent may find more flexibility with Xelon.
"Ultimately, it’s a strategic decision between local control and simplicity or global reach with maximum scalability," says Xelon CEO Michael Dudli. For many Swiss companies, a combination of both is a sensible approach: using Xelon for critical systems hosted in Switzerland, and Azure for selected global use cases.
Planning to migrate your systems and data to a Swiss Cloud? Book a consultation with our Cloud Architects today!
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Xelon AG Poststrasse 15, 6300 Zug Switzerland
