Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EU software, privacy, and making the switch.
What makes software 'EU-based'?
We list software where the company is headquartered in the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, AND where user data is stored on European servers. A US company with EU servers doesn't qualify. An EU company using only US infrastructure doesn't either.
Is Swiss software considered EU?
Switzerland isn't in the EU, but has a GDPR-equivalent data protection law and isn't subject to US jurisdiction (CLOUD Act). We include Swiss companies because they offer similar privacy protections to EU-based services.
Why should I switch from US software?
Three main reasons: 1) GDPR compliance - US companies are in a legal gray zone after Schrems II. 2) Data sovereignty - US authorities can access data on US servers via the CLOUD Act. 3) Supporting EU tech ecosystem - keeping your money in Europe.
Are EU alternatives as good as US ones?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. We try to be honest about this. ProtonMail is arguably better than Gmail for privacy. But Google Docs collaboration is still ahead of most EU alternatives. We'll tell you when an EU option isn't ready yet.
What does 'GDPR compliant' actually mean?
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) requires: explicit consent for data collection, right to access your data, right to delete your data, data breach notifications, and limitations on data transfer outside the EU. EU-based services handle this by default.
What is zero-knowledge encryption?
Zero-knowledge means the service provider cannot access your data, even if they wanted to. The encryption keys are held only by you. Even if the company is hacked or receives a government request, they literally cannot decrypt your files or messages.
Can I still use EU software if I'm outside Europe?
Absolutely. These services work globally. You might even get better privacy protection than local alternatives. The only difference is your data is stored in EU data centers, which could mean slightly higher latency in some cases.
Are these services more expensive?
Not necessarily. Many EU alternatives have free tiers (Proton, Tuta, pCloud). Some are cheaper than US competitors (Mailbox.org vs Google Workspace). A few premium options like Tresorit cost more, but that's for enterprise compliance features.
How do I migrate my data?
Most services offer import tools for common providers. For email, you can usually import from Gmail/Outlook directly. For cloud storage, download from old service and upload to new one (or use tools like rclone). Expect the migration to take time - plan for running both services in parallel for a few weeks.
What about open source alternatives?
We highlight open source options where available. Open source means the code is public and auditable, which adds a layer of trust. Notable examples: Nextcloud (storage), Element (chat), Jitsi (video), Matomo (analytics). We mark open source tools in our listings.
Do you have affiliate relationships?
Yes, some links are affiliate links. This helps fund the site but doesn't influence our recommendations. We only list services we've actually tested and would recommend regardless of affiliate status. We're transparent about this on every page.
How often do you update this information?
We review listings quarterly and update whenever there's significant news (price changes, new features, acquisitions). Blog comparisons show their last update date. If you notice outdated information, let us know.
Still have questions?
Check out our detailed comparisons or browse alternatives by category.