Migrating from Big Tech to EU Services Saves 500€ Annually

A comprehensive migration project demonstrates that moving from major US technology corporations to European alternatives can yield significant financial and privacy benefits. The author successfully transitioned their entire digital infrastructure away from Big Tech providers, achieving estimated annual savings of 500€.

The migration encompassed multiple service categories including cloud storage, email hosting, domain registration, and productivity tools. By carefully selecting EU-based providers that prioritize data sovereignty, the project achieved both cost reduction and enhanced privacy compliance.

This guide outlines the practical steps taken, the specific services replaced, and the financial impact of each change. The results demonstrate that digital independence is achievable without sacrificing functionality or convenience.

The decision to migrate away from Big Tech stemmed from growing concerns about data privacy and the desire to support European technology innovation. The author identified that US-based tech giants dominate critical digital infrastructure, creating dependencies that affect both personal privacy and economic sovereignty.

Financial considerations played a crucial role in the decision-making process. By analyzing monthly and annual subscriptions across various services, it became clear that European alternatives often provided comparable features at significantly lower costs.

The migration strategy focused on three primary objectives:

• Reducing annual technology expenses
• Enhancing data privacy through GDPR-compliant providers
• Supporting the European digital economy

These goals created a framework for evaluating potential replacements and measuring the success of the migration project.

The migration followed a systematic approach, replacing one service at a time to minimize disruption. Each transition was carefully planned to ensure data integrity and service continuity.

Cloud Storage and File Hosting

The author moved from Google Drive to OVHcloud and Hetzner storage solutions. This change alone resulted in substantial savings, as European providers offer competitive pricing for generous storage allocations. The migration process involved downloading all data from Google servers and uploading to the new providers, followed by synchronization setup across devices.

Email Services

Transitioning from Gmail required careful planning to maintain email continuity. The author selected Proton Mail for its strong encryption and privacy features, alongside Mailbox.org for business-oriented functionality. Both providers are based in privacy-friendly European jurisdictions.

Domain Registration and Web Hosting

US-based domain registrars were replaced with OVHcloud and INWX. For web hosting, the author migrated to Hetzner cloud servers, which provide excellent performance at prices significantly below American competitors.

Productivity and Collaboration Tools

The Google Workspace suite was replaced with a combination of Nextcloud for file sharing and collaboration, and Proton Suite for office functionality. These solutions provide similar capabilities while keeping data within European borders.

The financial benefits of the migration became apparent immediately after the transition. By eliminating subscriptions to multiple US-based services and replacing them with European alternatives, the author achieved 500€ in annual savings.

The cost breakdown reveals significant differences between providers:

• Cloud storage costs decreased by approximately 60%
• Email hosting expenses dropped by 40%
• Domain registration fees were reduced by 30%
• Web hosting charges fell by 50%

These savings compound over time, creating substantial long-term value. Additionally, many European providers offer transparent pricing without hidden fees or sudden price increases common with major US technology companies.

The initial investment of time required for migration—estimated at approximately 20 hours—pays for itself within the first year through reduced operational costs.

For those considering a similar migration, the article provides a structured approach to minimize risks and ensure success.

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning

Begin by inventorying all current digital services and subscriptions. Identify which services are critical versus optional. Research European alternatives for each category, comparing features, pricing, and migration support.

Phase 2: Data Export and Backup

Before initiating any changes, create comprehensive backups of all data stored with current providers. Most platforms offer data export tools—use these to download your information in standard formats.

Phase 3: Parallel Testing

Set up new services alongside existing ones. Test functionality thoroughly before making the final switch. This approach prevents service disruptions and allows for troubleshooting.

Phase 4: Migration and Verification

Execute the migration for each service category. Update DNS records for domain changes, configure email forwarding, and verify that all data has transferred correctly.

Phase 5: Decommissioning

Once everything is verified to be working correctly, cancel subscriptions with previous providers. Maintain backups for a reasonable period as an additional safety measure.

The migration from Big Tech to European alternatives represents a viable path toward digital independence and financial optimization. The project demonstrates that privacy-conscious users can maintain full functionality while reducing costs and supporting the European technology ecosystem.

Success depends on careful planning, systematic execution, and patience during the transition period. The 500€ annual savings achieved in this case serves as a benchmark for what is possible when users actively seek alternatives to dominant US technology platforms.

As the European digital infrastructure continues to mature, the availability of high-quality alternatives makes this migration increasingly accessible to individuals and businesses seeking greater control over their digital presence.