IONOS Web Hosting and Cloud Infrastructure from Germany
IONOS manages 22 million domains for 6.5 million customers, positioning it as Europe's largest web hosting provider. Based in Germany, the company delivers web hosting, domain services, and cloud computing to users across Europe and North America. It operates 100,000 servers with a 99.99% uptime guarantee and draws power from 100% renewable energy sources in its data centers.
Founded in 1988, IONOS started as 1&1 Internet AG, one of the first companies to build its own data centers for Internet access. Over decades, it grew through expansions into the UK in 2000 and the US in 2003, where it opened a major facility in Kansas. A 2018 merger with ProfitBricks and rebranding marked a shift toward cloud services. Today, with 4,200 employees, IONOS targets small businesses and enterprises needing scalable digital tools. Its infrastructure supports everything from basic websites to advanced AI deployments, backed by Tier IV certified data centers and a focus on sustainability through its 2030 Climate Strategy.
What is IONOS?
IONOS SE, often stylized simply as IONOS, traces its roots to 1988 when it launched as 1&1 Internet AG in Montabaur, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This made it a pioneer in web hosting, as it constructed proprietary data centers and network infrastructure to connect users online. By 2000, a restructuring split duties within the United Internet Group: United Internet managed access, while 1&1 specialized in hosting and domains.
International growth followed quickly. The company entered the UK market that year and the US in 2003, establishing a key data center in Lenexa, Kansas, which now powers cloud offerings. In 2018, IONOS merged with ProfitBricks—led by CEO Achim Weiss—and adopted its current name, inspired by the ionosphere. This pivot emphasized cloud infrastructure alongside traditional services.
Headquartered in Montabaur, IONOS now serves freelancers, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), and larger enterprises. Its portfolio includes domain registration (over 22 million managed), shared, VPS, dedicated, and cloud hosting; AI-assisted website builders; eCommerce platforms; email and office suites like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace; managed Kubernetes; databases such as MongoDB and PostgreSQL; object storage; GPU servers; an AI Model Hub; and security features including DDoS protection. Research from IONOS shows 55% of US SMBs interested in AI tools in 2024. The company reported the second-largest global web hosting market share in 2019 and commits to sustainability with renewable energy and emission reduction goals.
Who Uses IONOS?
IONOS serves 6.5 million customers, primarily freelancers, SMBs, and enterprises in Europe and North America. Freelancers rely on its affordable shared hosting and website builders for personal sites or portfolios. SMBs use VPS and cloud hosting for eCommerce stores, email, and productivity suites, appreciating the bundled domains and office tools.
Enterprises deploy dedicated servers, Kubernetes, GPU instances, and AI services for demanding workloads like data analytics or model training. Sectors include retail for online shops, professional services for secure email, and tech firms for scalable cloud infrastructure. While specific client names remain private, IONOS's scale supports diverse digital needs, from basic web presence to full cloud migrations. Its research on SMB digitalization highlights practical adoption patterns.
European Advantage
Headquartered in Montabaur, Germany, IONOS maintains data centers across the EU, including Germany, ensuring data sovereignty for users prioritizing local storage. As a GDPR-compliant provider, it meets strict EU data protection rules, with features like retrievable data storage and sovereignty-focused cloud options. European teams handle support in multiple languages, and the company's structure avoids US-based dependencies common in competitors. Sustainability ties into EU green goals, with renewable-powered facilities reducing environmental impact.
How IONOS Compares
IONOS differentiates from US giants like GoDaddy and Bluehost through its European base, own data centers, and consultant-led support. GoDaddy emphasizes domains but trails in cloud depth, while Bluehost focuses on WordPress with higher renewal prices—IONOS shared plans start at $1/month introductory. Against Hostinger's budget appeal, IONOS offers superior uptime (99.99%) and enterprise tools like managed Kubernetes, without aggressive upselling. Reviews often favor IONOS for value in VPS/cloud, positioning it as a balanced choice for EU users seeking reliability over flash sales.
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