CLOUD Act and aggressive foreign policy of the US: Many Swiss companies are hesitant to migrate their data and systems to a Cloud from the US-based Cloud provider Microsoft Azure. Xelon offers a Swiss Cloud with maximum data protection standards, and in this blog post, Xelon founder Michael Dudli explains why more and more Swiss companies are choosing a local, sovereign Cloud solution.
Many Swiss companies are approaching US-based Cloud providers like Microsoft with growing skepticism today. A key factor is the CLOUD Act (Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act), passed in the US in 2018. The CLOUD Act requires US companies to hand over data to US authorities even when that data is stored outside the United States. Even if a US-based Cloud provider operates its data centers in Europe, it can still be compelled to disclose that data.
The policies of US President Donald Trump are also heavily focused on US interests, leaving little room for trustworthy international cooperation. This has raised the question, for companies in Switzerland and across Europe, of whether a Cloud provider from a country with an unpredictable foreign and economic policy can be relied on in the long term. Trust in the political stability and reliability of the US as a technology partner has suffered significantly.
Xelon's Swiss Cloud Infrastructure Lays the Foundation for Greater Data Sovereignty
In the EU and in Switzerland, the desire for greater digital sovereignty had already been growing even before Trump's second term. A Swiss Cloud can meet this need for stronger control over data, IT infrastructure, and technology standards. The Trump administration's nationalist policies have further accelerated this trend by sharpening awareness of the risks of one-sided dependency.
As a result, hyperscalers with US origins have become less attractive to Swiss companies. "In Switzerland, Xelon offers a local, secure, and sovereign alternative to global providers like Microsoft, AWS, or Google," explains Michael Dudli, CEO of Xelon and Swiss Cloud pioneer.
Below is a direct comparison between Xelon and Azure in terms of pricing, support, data sovereignty, user-friendliness, and the increasingly important hybrid Cloud strategy.
A Quick Comparison of Cloud Providers: Xelon vs. Microsoft Azure
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Xelon (Swiss Cloud) |
Microsoft Azure (global Cloud) |
| Price Transparency | Predictable, easy-to-understand pricing with no hidden costs (e.g., no extra charge for standard network traffic or basic support) | Complex usage-based pricing with many additional costs for data traffic, support, and add-on services |
| Support Experience | Local Swiss support in German or English, reachable by phone or email, personalized service | Global support model; basic support is mostly self-service, with local, personal support rarely available |
| Data Sovereignty | Data stays exclusively in Swiss data centers, under Swiss law – no CLOUD Act risk | Data can be hosted in Switzerland but is still subject to US law (CLOUD Act) |
| User-Friendliness | Intuitive platform (Xelon HQ), quick setup, no prior knowledge required | Over 200 services, complex management, often requires specialized knowledge |
| Hybrid Cloud Strategy | Enables local hybrid solutions without your own data centers – easy to combine with other Clouds | Supports hybrid scenarios (e.g., with Azure Arc/Azure Local), but often as part of an Azure-centric overall strategy |
Learn more about the Swiss Cloud alternative to Microsoft Azure in a consultation.
How Do Companies Find the Right Cloud Provider?
Which Cloud provider is the better fit for a company depends heavily on its individual requirements, values, priorities, and resources. Companies that value transparent pricing, personal support, and full data sovereignty will find Xelon a reliable solution: data is guaranteed to stay in Switzerland, support is local and directly accessible, and managing the Cloud environment is simple enough that no extensive prior knowledge is needed. Xelon also offers flexible hybrid models with no vendor lock-in.
Microsoft Azure, on the other hand, stands out with a broad range of globally available services, seamless integration with existing Microsoft products like Office 365, and high scalability that meets the needs of international corporations. Azure can fully leverage its strengths especially in complex enterprise setups.
"At the end of the day, it's a strategic decision: local control over data and systems in the Cloud and simplicity, or global reach and maximum scalability?" summarizes Xelon founder Michael Dudli. For many Swiss companies, though, a combination also makes sense: Xelon for business-critical systems in Switzerland, Azure for select global use cases, Michael Dudli goes on to explain.
Work with our Cloud Architects to discover which Cloud scenario fits your company.
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Xelon AG Poststrasse 15, 6300 Zug Switzerland
