Sustainable Substitutes for Azure

Cloud and Hosting provider by Microsoft that lacks sustainability commitments.

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Reasons to avoid Azure

Microsoft has faced criticism for greenwashing, as its carbon neutrality pledges often depend on offsets rather than direct reductions in emissions.

Azure’s integration with Microsoft’s broader ecosystem raises privacy concerns, as user data may be shared across services or used for targeted advertising. Additionally, Microsoft’s dominance in cloud computing stifles competition and limits user choice.

Labor practices in Microsoft’s supply chain have also come under scrutiny, with reports of poor working conditions and inadequate wages for workers involved in hardware production and data center operations.

Sustainable Alternatives

Here are some sustainable alternatives to Azure

Hetzner

Hetzner is a German affordable, high-performance hosting provider based in the EU.

Hetzner publishes sustainability reports and energy usage data, promoting transparency and accountability.
Hetzner does not use third-party cookies or trackers, ensuring user privacy.
Hetzner is fully GDPR-compliant, with transparent data processing agreements and robust technical/organizational measures to protect user data.
Hetzner repurposes waste heat and designs servers for minimal energy use and longevity.
Hetzner powers its data centers with 100% renewable energy (hydropower in Germany, wind power in Finland) and invests in self-generated solar energy.
Hetzner achieves a PUE of 1.13 through innovative cooling and custom-built, low-power servers.
Hetzner is based in Germany, ensuring compliance with GDPR and European privacy and labor regulations.
Website

Infomaniak

Infomaniak is a Swiss hosting provider with strong privacy protections and GDPR compliance.

Infomaniak is fully GDPR-compliant, with transparent data processing agreements and robust technical/organizational measures to protect user data.
Infomaniak offsets 200% of CO2 emissions and invests in local renewable energy projects and community initiatives.
Infomaniak publishes detailed sustainability reports and energy usage data, promoting transparency and accountability.
Infomaniak does not use third-party cookies or trackers, ensuring user privacy.
Infomaniak extends server lifespans to 15 years and repurposes waste heat to warm nearby buildings, minimizing e-waste and energy waste.
Infomaniak powers its data centers with 100% renewable energy (60% hydropower, 40% solar/small hydro) and aims to generate 50% of its electricity by 2030.
Infomaniak achieves a PUE of 1.06 through innovative cooling (outside air only) and custom-built, low-power servers.
Website

OVHCloud

OVHcloud is a French cloud hosting provider with a strong focus on privacy and data sovereignty.

OVHCloud is based in France, ensuring compliance with GDPR and European privacy and labor regulations.
OVHCloud targets 100% low-carbon energy (mostly nuclear though) for data centers by 2025, with 92% already achieved.
OVHCloud does not collect or sell user data, ensuring privacy and security.
OVHCloud provides tools like the Environmental Impact Tracker to help customers understand and reduce their carbon footprint.
OVHCloud offers dedicated and private cloud solutions, giving users full control over their data and infrastructure.
OVHCloud commits to data privacy and does not use third-party cookies or trackers.
OVHCloud repurposes industrial buildings for data centers and focuses on circular economy practices to minimize e-waste.
Website

The 5 main issues with Azure

No Carbon Neutrality Goals - No goals for carbon neutrality is a bad sign as it shows lack of commitment to holding crucial thresholds for global climate warming.

Microsoft has delayed its carbon neutrality targets and relies heavily on carbon offsets rather than direct emissions reductions, undermining its sustainability claims. Source: Computerworld: Can Microsoft build massive AI data centers and meet climate goals without “greenwashing”?CarbonCredits: Microsoft Buys 3.5 Million Carbon Credits to Offset AI’s Soaring Emissions

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

Azure’s integration with Microsoft’s ecosystem raises privacy risks, as user data may be shared across services or used for targeted advertising without explicit consent.

Exploitative Labour Practices - Poor working conditions and low wages for workers involved in production or services.

Microsoft has faced criticism for poor working conditions and inadequate wages in its supply chain, including data center operations and hardware production. Source: Wikipedia: Criticism of Microsoft

Monopoly - Market dominance that stifles competition and limits user choice.

Azure’s dominance in the cloud market limits competition, reinforces vendor lock-in, and restricts user choice, contributing to monopolistic practices in the tech industry.Source. The Register: CMA dithers on cloud probe as Microsoft's meter runs on taxpayer dime (2026)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Microsoft is known for using aggressive tax avoidance schemes and has been fined for it. Source: The Guardian: This article is more than 11 years old US tech giants launch fierce fightback against global tax avoidance crackdown (2015)