# Which UK cloud provider is best? 5 providers compared If you’re looking for a reliable cloud solution, the UK market offers a range of established providers specialising in secure document collaboration, backup, managed storage and cloud infrastructure. Our comparison covers five UK cloud providers suited to different business requirements. ## What are the benefits of cloud storage services? [Cloud storage](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-cloud-storage/) allows organisations to store data on remote servers and access it over the internet instead of relying solely on local computers, servers or external drives. The services available vary considerably: Ideagen Collaboration Portal focuses on secure document collaboration, Redstor specialises in backup and recovery, Exponential-e and iomart provide managed business cloud services, and Civo offers cloud infrastructure and [object storage](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-object-storage/). One of the main benefits of using a [cloud](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-the-cloud/) is that authorised users can access data from different locations and devices. Depending on the provider, organisations may be able to share documents, manage access permissions, collaborate in controlled workspaces or expand their storage capacity without purchasing and maintaining additional hardware. Cloud services can also support data protection and business continuity. Redstor provides cloud-based backup and recovery, while Exponential-e and iomart offer storage, backup and disaster-recovery services for business environments. These services can help organisations restore data following accidental deletion, hardware failure, cyberattacks or other disruptions. However, file synchronisation and document sharing should not be treated as complete substitutes for a properly configured backup strategy. To improve [cloud security](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/security/how-to-protect-access-to-your-cloud/), organisations should use strong authentication, carefully manage access permissions and check which encryption, monitoring and recovery features are included. Ideagen Collaboration Portal, for example, provides controlled workspaces for sharing documents with employees, clients and external partners, while Civo offers cloud services for technical workloads, including UK sovereign cloud options. Security, privacy and data-handling arrangements differ between UK cloud providers. Organisations that value greater [data sovereignty](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/security/data-sovereignty/) should therefore check where their data and backup copies are stored and processed, which laws and contractual terms apply and what control they retain over access, deletion and international transfers. A provider’s UK headquarters do not necessarily mean that every service automatically stores all customer data in the UK. ## Overview of UK cloud providers
Provider Advantages
Ideagen Collaboration Portal Secure document sharing and collaboration for businesses and public-sector organisations Controlled workspaces for internal teams, clients and external partners Version control, approval workflows and detailed audit trails UK-only data centre options for eligible services
Redstor Cloud-based backup and recovery for servers, endpoints and SaaS applications Protection for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace data Fast file, system and application recovery Centralised management for businesses and managed service providers
Exponential-e UK cloud storage designed for businesses with demanding security and compliance requirements Object, block and file storage options Data stored within the provider’s privately owned UK network and data centres Managed services, backup and disaster-recovery options
iomart Managed cloud storage, backup and data protection services Network of wholly owned data centres across the UK Support for hybrid cloud and business continuity strategies UK-based monitoring and technical support
Civo UK-headquartered cloud platform for developers and businesses S3-compatible object storage for unstructured data Public, private and UK sovereign cloud options Region-specific services that allow customers to select where workloads are hosted
Information correct as of August 2026. ## Ideagen Collaboration Portal [Ideagen Collaboration Portal](https://www.ideagen.com/products/huddle/ "Ideagen Collaboration Portal website") (formerly known as Ideagen Huddle) is a secure cloud collaboration platform designed primarily for businesses, government bodies and other organisations that need to share and manage documents with internal and external users. Rather than functioning as a general-purpose personal drive, it provides controlled online workspaces for document collection, review, approval and collaboration. Collaboration Portal is particularly suitable for organisations that work with clients, suppliers or public-sector partners and require greater control over how documents are accessed and managed. Its key features include: - Secure workspaces for employees, clients and external partners - Document sharing, review and approval - File version control and change tracking - Tasks, comments and file requests - Audit trails that record activity within a workspace - Branded client portals - Access through web browsers and supported mobile devices - UK-only data centre options for eligible services **Costs:** Ideagen Collaboration Portal offers business and public-sector packages based on an organisation’s requirements. Pricing depends on the selected service, number of users and required features. [![Image: Ideagen Collaboration Portal website](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/f/csm_ideagen-website-screenshot_3c672859f2.webp "Ideagen Collaboration Portal website")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/ideagen-website-screenshot.jpg) Ideagen Collaboration Portal provides secure document sharing, controlled client workspaces and collaboration tools for businesses and public-sector organisations; source: https://www.ideagen.com/products/huddle/ ## Redstor [Redstor](https://www.redstor.com/ "Redstor website") is a UK cloud backup and recovery brand, now part of **CyberSentriq**, the cybersecurity and data protection platform formed in 2025 through Redstor’s merger with TitanHQ. It continues to serve businesses, IT teams and managed service providers. Its platform is designed to protect data held across servers, endpoints, cloud platforms and software-as-a-service applications. Unlike conventional UK cloud storage designed mainly for everyday file synchronisation, Redstor focuses on protecting business data and restoring it following accidental deletion, hardware failure, cyberattacks or other incidents. Its main features include: - Automated cloud backup for servers and endpoints - Backup and recovery for Microsoft 365 applications, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams and Exchange - Protection for supported Google Workspace applications - File-level, application and full-system recovery - Centralised management through a multi-tenant platform - Backup copies stored across separate cloud locations - Encryption and account-specific access controls - Options for hybrid cloud and on-premises environments **Costs:** Redstor provides tailored packages for organisations and managed service providers. Costs depend on the volume and type of data protected, the required retention period and the selected recovery features. [![Image: Redstor cloud backup and recovery platform](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/0/csm_redstor-website-screenshot_48bc8c7794.webp "Redstor cloud backup and recovery platform")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/redstor-website-screenshot.jpg) Redstor provides cloud-based backup, recovery and data protection services for businesses, IT teams and managed service providers; source: https://www.redstor.com/ ## Exponential-e [Exponential-e](https://www.exponential-e.com/services/cloud-services/cloud-storage "Exponential-e cloud storage website") is a UK technology provider offering managed connectivity, cloud, security and communications services. Its cloud storage solutions are aimed at organisations that require scalable capacity, controlled data locations and support for business-critical workloads. Exponential-e is particularly suited to businesses looking for a managed cloud in the UK rather than a consumer file-storage service. Its storage portfolio covers different workload types and can be combined with connectivity, backup, security and disaster-recovery services. Key features include: - Cloud object storage for large volumes of unstructured data - File and block storage for different business applications - Flexible storage capacity that can be adjusted as requirements change - UK-based, privately owned network and data centre infrastructure - Backup and disaster-recovery services - Integration with private, public and hybrid cloud environments - Managed support and monitoring - Solutions for organisations with data-sovereignty and compliance requirements **Costs:** Exponential-e provides customised business solutions. Pricing depends on the storage type, capacity, performance, connectivity and managed services required. [![Image: Exponential-e cloud storage](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/e/2/csm_exponentiale-website-screenshot_f4bc672b5d.webp "Exponential-e cloud storage")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/exponentiale-website-screenshot.jpg) Exponential-e offers managed UK cloud storage, connectivity and data protection services for businesses; source: https://www.exponential-e.com/services/cloud-services/cloud-storage ## iomart [iomart](https://www.iomart.com/ "iomart website") is a UK-based managed cloud and data centre provider. It offers cloud infrastructure, storage, backup, cyber recovery and disaster-recovery services for businesses that want expert support managing their data and IT environments. Rather than providing a conventional personal cloud drive, iomart focuses on managed business infrastructure. It operates a nationwide network of wholly owned data centres and supports organisations using private, public and hybrid cloud environments. Its services and features include: - Managed cloud storage and infrastructure - Backup for cloud, on-premises and hybrid IT environments - Disaster recovery and business continuity services - Cyber recovery with threat detection and clean recovery options - Private and hybrid cloud solutions - Colocation and managed hosting - Monitoring through a UK-based network operations centre - A network of 12 wholly owned UK data centres **Costs:** iomart creates tailored solutions based on each organisation’s infrastructure, storage and support requirements. Costs vary according to capacity, data protection, recovery objectives and the level of management required. [![Image: iomart managed UK cloud services](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/1/csm_iomart-website-screenshot_46911f666b.webp "iomart managed UK cloud services")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/iomart-website-screenshot.jpg) iomart provides managed cloud storage, backup, disaster recovery and data centre services through its UK infrastructure; source: https://www.iomart.com/ ## Civo [Civo](https://www.civo.com/ "Civo website") is a UK-headquartered cloud platform designed primarily for developers, technology teams and businesses running cloud-native applications. Its services include compute, Kubernetes, databases and scalable object storage. Civo is not a conventional file-sync platform for private users. Its UK cloud storage is aimed at technical workloads and applications that need scalable storage accessed through an S3-compatible interface. Civo also offers a UK Sovereign Cloud for organisations that require infrastructure hosted and operated within the United Kingdom. Its main features include: - S3-compatible object storage for unstructured data - Region-specific storage that allows customers to select a hosting location - Public, private and sovereign cloud environments - Managed Kubernetes and cloud-native infrastructure - Storage volumes for applications and container workloads - UK and international cloud regions - API, command-line and dashboard management - UK Sovereign Cloud services hosted and operated exclusively within the UK **Costs:** Civo uses usage-based pricing for its cloud infrastructure and storage services. Costs depend on the selected region, storage capacity, computing resources and additional platform services. [![Image: Civo cloud and object storage platform](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/3/4/csm_civo-website-screenshot_f451a4c81b.webp "Civo cloud and object storage platform")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/civo-website-screenshot.jpg) Civo provides S3-compatible object storage and cloud-native infrastructure, including a UK Sovereign Cloud option; source: https://www.civo.com/ ## Bonus solution The providers above are headquartered in the United Kingdom. However, UK customers are not limited to UK-based services. IONOS HiDrive is included as a bonus option because it is available in the UK while offering an alternative from a Germany-based company, with ISO 27001-compliant European data centres, encrypted data transfer and optional end-to-end encryption. ### IONOS HiDrive [IONOS HiDrive cloud storage](https://www.ionos.co.uk/office-solutions/hidrive-cloud-storage "HiDrive cloud storage") offers a privacy-focused solution for cloud storage. Your data is stored in ISO 27001–certified data centres and fully complies with data protection requirements to ensure the highest level of data protection for your cloud. HiDrive cloud storage from IONOS offers a **wide range of features** that make using and protecting your data as convenient as it is secure: - Flexible access from all devices (web browser, desktop clients, mobile apps) - Automatic backups and synchronisation of data - Sharing features for easy collaboration in teams - TLS/SSL-secured transfer (AES-256) - Optional end-to-end encryption for additional security (included in the Pro package) **Costs:** Prices vary depending on the selected package and the storage space included [![Image: HiDrive cloud storage from IONOS](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/f/csm_ionos-hidrive-website-screenshot-uk_e4c630e73e.webp "HiDrive cloud storage from IONOS")](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2026/ionos-hidrive-website-screenshot-uk.jpg) HiDrive from IONOS offers German data protection, highly secure data centre, and plenty of cloud storage at a low-cost rate; source: https://www.ionos.co.uk/office-solutions/hidrive-cloud-storage ## Cloud storage plus online backups for optimal security Whichever cloud storage service you choose, storing your files in the cloud alone is not enough to provide complete protection. Regular backups are also essential because they allow you to restore data after hardware failures, malware attacks, accidental deletion or other unexpected problems. For greater reliability, your cloud service should include an **automatic backup feature**. This ensures that copies of your data are created regularly without requiring manual action, making recovery easier when something goes wrong. A strong backup strategy should also follow the [3-2-1 backup rule](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/security/3-2-1-backup-rule/), a widely recognised approach to protecting data: - Keep **3 copies of your data**: the original and two separate backups. - Store them on **2 different types of storage media**, such as a local hard drive and cloud storage, to reduce the risk of a single failure affecting every copy. - Keep **1 copy off-site**, for example in the cloud or at another physical location, so your data remains protected if a local incident occurs. The 3-2-1 rule provides multiple copies across different storage systems and locations, helping protect your data against hardware failures, cyberattacks, accidental loss and natural disasters. This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/tools/uk-cloud-providers/](https://www.ionos.co.uk/digitalguide/server/tools/uk-cloud-providers/) for AI/LLM consumption.