PlusServer
PlusServer is a Cologne-based German managed cloud provider offering sovereign VMware and OpenStack cloud, managed Kubernetes, databases, AI, and security services to DACH enterprises and Mittelstand customers from certified German data centers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersCologne, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What PlusServer does
PlusServer (plusserver GmbH) is a German managed cloud and hosting provider headquartered in Cologne, founded in 1999, serving primarily German and DACH enterprises and mid-sized companies with a focus on data sovereignty and EU jurisdiction. Its product portfolio is built around two core compute platforms — pluscloud VMware (a BSI-C5 certified VMware Sovereign Cloud, available as public, private, or on-premises) and pluscloud open (the first German enterprise OpenStack cloud built on the Sovereign Cloud Stack) — complemented by managed Kubernetes (PSKE), database-as-a-service (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, CouchDB), managed caching on Valkey, S3-compatible object storage, dedicated servers on HPE hardware, colocation in certified German data centers, and an integrated security suite (SOC, EDR, DDoS protection, NGFW, workload protection). Recent additions include the KI-Plattform sovereign AI offering for SMEs and the 2025 integration of Cosanta GmbH for cybersecurity and compliance services. All infrastructure operates exclusively in geo-redundant German data centers and is certified under BSI C5, ISO 27001, ISO 9001, ISO 50001, ISAE 3402, PCI-DSS, IT-Grundschutz, and IDW PS 0710.
The company monetizes primarily through recurring monthly subscriptions on cloud resources (pluscloud VMware from €47.85/month, pluscloud open from €25.81/month) plus usage-based billing on managed Kubernetes, caching, and storage, with professional services for cloud consulting and migration. Go-to-market is hybrid: a self-service CloudHub portal and online shop serve SMBs and developers, while a direct consulting team and a recently restructured partner program target system integrators and regulated-industry enterprises (healthcare, finance, public sector, Mittelstand). PlusServer holds Broadcom Pinnacle Partner and VMware Sovereign Cloud Provider status, is a Gaia-X founding member and active Sovereign Cloud Stack contributor, and operates as an independent privately held company led by CEO Dr. Marc Wilczek and CFO Raphael Bächle following a 2026 management reset.
Customer references include Messe Düsseldorf, Europa-Park, Nordex, Segmüller, Sparkasse Public Services, Dr. Dienst & Partner, Valtech, Univention, and ane.energy across events, entertainment, energy, retail, IT services, and public services — a diverse set that, combined with SMB volume through CloudHub, limits any single-customer concentration despite the absence of disclosed revenue figures.
PlusServer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PlusServer
- Legal name
- plusserver GmbH
- Website
- https://www.plusserver.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- PlusServer is a Cologne-based German managed cloud provider offering sovereign VMware and OpenStack cloud, managed Kubernetes, databases, AI, and security services to DACH enterprises and Mittelstand customers from certified German data centers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PlusServer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cloud Infrastructure
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Enablement (BPAEACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud-Native Enablement (Containers, Kubernetes, Service Mesh) (BPAEAKAE), Cloud Security Managed Services (CSPM/CWPP/CNAPP) (BPAEADAF), Cloud Compliance, Audit & Continuous Controls Monitoring (CCM/GRC) (HDABAHAI), Hybrid & Multi-Cloud Orchestration (Private-Cloud-Centric) (HDABABAE)
Keywords
Where PlusServer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cologne
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
PlusServer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cloud Services (pluscloud): Subscription-based cloud services including pluscloud VMware and pluscloud open, billed monthly with resources scalable on-demand. Revenue generated from compute, storage, and network resources consumed.
- Dedicated Servers: Bare-metal dedicated server rental, available individually or as clusters. Monthly pricing with hardware provided by HPE.
- Managed Services: Managed services including Managed Kubernetes, Managed Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, CouchDB), Managed Caching, and managed security services.
- Colocation: Data center colocation services for customer-owned hardware in certified German data centers.
- Professional Services: Cloud consulting, IT migration, and implementation services for cloud transformation projects.
- Usage-based Services: Some services like Managed Caching use consumption-based pricing per hour depending on node size and type.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | pluscloud open (OpenStack Cloud) starting price |
| Subscription | Monthly | pluscloud VMware starting price |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Managed Kubernetes starting price |
| Subscription | Monthly | Dedicated Server promotional pricing |
| Subscription | Monthly | AI Platform (KI-Plattform) starting price |
| Subscription | Monthly | Managed Private Cloud Proxmox promotional pricing |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Managed Caching (Valkey) usage-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
PlusServer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
plusserver GmbH is a German cloud infrastructure provider operating certified data centers in Germany, offering VMware-based and OpenStack-based sovereign cloud platforms (pluscloud VMware and pluscloud open), managed Kubernetes, managed databases, dedicated servers, colocation, and cloud migration and consulting services. The portfolio is targeted at German and European enterprises seeking data sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and protection from non-EU jurisdiction.
Product overview
PlusServer (plusserver GmbH) is a German cloud provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of cloud and hosting services. The core cloud compute products are pluscloud VMware (VMware-based cloud for persistent systems) and pluscloud open (OpenStack-based sovereign cloud for containers and cloud-native workloads). Database offerings include MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, CouchDB, and Managed Caching (Valkey). Container services feature Managed Kubernetes, mogenius Kubernetes Manager, Private Registry, and Workload Protection. Storage solutions encompass S3 Object Storage, Network Storage, and Backup as a Service. The portfolio also includes dedicated infrastructure (Dedicated Servers, Dedicated Storage, Colocation), managed hosting services (Managed Private Cloud Proxmox, Hybrid Cloud, Management-Level Services, Cloud Consulting, IT Migration), AI services (KI-Plattform), and security products (Keycloak, DDoS Protection, SOC as a Service, EDR as a Service, Security Scanner, Next Generation Firewall). All services are operated in certified German data centers under EU jurisdiction.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- pluscloud VMware German VMware-powered sovereign cloud for IT modernization, available as Public Cloud, Private Cloud, or on-premises implementation. VMware Sovereign Cloud Provider certified with integrated backup and disaster recovery. Targeted at enterprises running persistent workloads seeking BSI-C5 certified infrastructure.
- pluscloud open Digital sovereign OpenStack-based cloud, made in Germany. First German enterprise Open Source Cloud, fully SCS-based (Sovereign Cloud Stack). Designed for container scale-out, dynamic web services, and cloud-native workloads.
- Managed Kubernetes Certified Kubernetes solution (KCSP) with self-service cluster creation and orchestration. Supports multi-region deployment, cluster autoscaling, and various worker pool configurations. Targeted at DevOps teams and enterprises running containerized workloads.
- Managed Caching (Valkey) High-performance Redis-compatible in-memory caching based on Valkey 8.x. Fully managed service with setup, operation, monitoring, backup, and restore included. Usage-based pricing per node size and type.
- KI-Plattform (AI Platform) Digital sovereign AI platform for SMEs. Open-source-based and legally compliant. Provides LLM, hardware, software, configuration, and management for AI workloads. Starting from €1,699/month. Targeted at German mid-sized enterprises requiring sovereign AI infrastructure.
- Dedicated Server Dedicated hardware rented flexibly, individually or as a cluster. Features AMD EPYC Gen5 or Intel CPUs, brand hardware from HPE, with full root access or PlusServer management. Starting at €99/month promotional price.
- Managed Private Cloud Proxmox License-free alternative to VMware. Highly available, managed Proxmox clusters with full sovereignty and control. Targeted at organizations seeking VMware alternatives with full data sovereignty.
- Colocation IT infrastructure operation in certified PlusServer data centers in German cities. Targeted at enterprises with their own hardware requiring German data center space under EU jurisdiction.
- S3 Object Storage AWS-compatible object storage with geo-redundancy and Object Lock. Supports AWS CLI, SDKs, and features including versioning, bucket policies, and identity federation. Includes S3 Tenant API for management.
- Managed Cloud Services (Management-Level) IT services outsourcing with operational support or full management levels. Targeted at enterprises seeking to outsource cloud infrastructure operations.
- Cloud Consulting Strategy, implementation, and optimization of cloud solutions. Professional services for cloud transformation projects.
- IT Migration Services Professional services for migration projects from colocation to cloud, including cloud migration consulting. Includes free migration support for VMware workloads.
- CloudHub Customer portal for booking cloud services, managing user accounts, viewing products, services, and billing. Unifies all PlusServer cloud service management functions as a self-service platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Cost savings of up to 40% compared to on-premises VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) operations for mid-sized enterprise customers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use PlusServer
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
PlusServer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
PlusServer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)coreHPE is a founding member of Gaia-X cloud ecosystem alongside PlusServer. HPE provides the hardware foundation for PlusServer cloud services and Dedicated Server offerings through HPE ProLiant servers. Long-term partnership focused on open standards, European competitiveness, and compliant cloud solutions.
- Broadcom (VMware)corePlusServer is a strategic Pinnacle Partner of VMware by Broadcom and certified as VMware Sovereign Cloud Provider. One of only two German clouds meeting VMware's sovereign cloud initiative requirements. Provides VMware-based cloud solutions with maximum data sovereignty.
- Gaia-XcorePlusServer is a founding member of Gaia-X, the European sovereign cloud ecosystem. PlusServer actively contributes to the development of the Sovereign Cloud Stack (SCS) and was the first to bring an SCS-based cloud to market.
- Cosanta GmbHcoreCosanta GmbH is part of the PlusServer group, strengthening IT security competencies in cybersecurity, compliance, and audit capabilities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
PlusServer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Scaleway: Scaleway is a French European cloud provider offering compute, storage, Kubernetes, and bare-metal instances from EU data centers under sovereignty-focused branding. It does not primarily target Germany but is comparable to PlusServer on multi-cloud, Kubernetes, and EU-sovereignty positioning.
Broad incumbents
- T-Systems: T-Systems, the enterprise arm of Deutsche Telekom, operates the Open Telekom Cloud and a broad portfolio of managed, sovereign, and SAP cloud services from German data centers. It serves the same regulated German and EU enterprise base as PlusServer but at much larger scale and as part of a telecom-grade portfolio.
- Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty: Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty bundles Azure, Microsoft 365, and security controls designed to meet EU and German regulatory requirements. It targets the same regulated buyers as PlusServer and represents the largest scale-based threat to PlusServer's sovereignty-driven value proposition.
- AWS European Sovereign Cloud: AWS is building a standalone European Sovereign Cloud aimed at highly regulated EU workloads, including Germany. While not PlusServer's segment today, it is the dominant sovereignty-comparable incumbent whose launch directly threatens PlusServer's regulated-vertical positioning.
- Arvato Systems: Arvato Systems (Bertelsmann subsidiary) is a German IT services and cloud provider operating its own data centers and offering managed cloud and compliance services to regulated industries. It overlaps PlusServer on DSGVO-compliant managed hosting for German mid-market and enterprise customers.
Direct peers
- Syseleven: Syseleven is a Berlin-based managed cloud provider focused on OpenStack, Kubernetes (Metalstack), and sovereign cloud services for German enterprises. It is a direct competitor for OpenStack-based pluscloud open and Managed Kubernetes workloads in the German Mittelstand.
- OVHcloud: OVHcloud is a European hyperscale cloud provider offering bare-metal dedicated servers, hosted private cloud (VMware), public cloud, and storage from EU data centers. It overlaps with PlusServer on dedicated servers, VMware-based private cloud, and sovereign-cloud positioning across Europe.
- Hetzner: Hetzner is a German hosting and infrastructure provider with dedicated servers, cloud servers, and managed services operated from German data centers. Like PlusServer, it competes on price-performance, German jurisdiction, and developer-friendly cloud offerings, with strong overlap in dedicated and entry-level cloud.
- IONOS: IONOS (1&1 IONOS) is the largest German hosting and cloud provider, offering shared hosting, dedicated servers, managed cloud, and increasingly VMware-based private cloud aimed squarely at the same German Mittelstand and SMB customers PlusServer targets. Both compete on data sovereignty, German-language support, and DSGVO compliance.
Emerging players
- STACKIT: STACKIT is the sovereign cloud and colocation business of the Schwarz Group (Lidl, Kaufland parent), built in German data centers for regulated workloads and the Schwarz retail ecosystem. It directly contests PlusServer's German-sovereignty positioning with the backing of a much larger corporate parent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PlusServer social profiles
Digital presencePlusServer compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance12 records
PlusServer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PlusServer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PlusServer subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
PlusServer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PlusServer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PlusServer
What does PlusServer do?
plusserver GmbH is a German cloud infrastructure provider operating certified data centers in Germany, offering VMware-based and OpenStack-based sovereign cloud platforms (pluscloud VMware and pluscloud open), managed Kubernetes, managed databases, dedicated servers, colocation, and cloud migration and consulting services. The portfolio is targeted at German and European enterprises seeking data sovereignty, GDPR compliance, and protection from non-EU jurisdiction.
Is PlusServer a public or private company?
PlusServer is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was PlusServer founded?
PlusServer was founded in 1999. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is PlusServer based?
PlusServer is headquartered in Cologne, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does PlusServer make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Cloud Services (pluscloud) is the primary driver. The others are dedicated Servers, managed Services, colocation, professional Services and usage-based Services.
Who are PlusServer's main competitors?
Scaleway is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are T-Systems, Microsoft Cloud for Sovereignty, AWS European Sovereign Cloud and Arvato Systems. Direct peers are Syseleven, OVHcloud, Hetzner and IONOS. STACKIT is listed as an emerging player.
Does PlusServer have an API?
Yes. PlusServer provides an S3 Tenant API for managing S3 Object Storage services. The S3 Storage service is AWS-compatible, enabling use of AWS S3 CLI and AWS SDKs. Documentation available at docs.plusserver.com with sections covering S3 Tenant API, identity federation setup, and integration with infrastructure-as-code tools including Terraform, OpenTofu, and AWS CLI. Developer documentation is at docs.plusserver.com/de/storage-backup/s3-storage/documentation/s3-tenant-api.
What industry is PlusServer in?
PlusServer's product category is Cloud Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEACAK, Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Cloud Enablement, with a secondary code of BPAEAKAE, Cloud-Native Enablement (Containers, Kubernetes, Service Mesh). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7370.