# only-eu.eu: Full Reference > Curated directory of 220+ European alternatives to popular products and services. Covers software, hardware and consumer brands across 35 categories. Every provider is verified: EU/EEA/Swiss headquarters, no US parent company, GDPR-compliant data handling. Bilingual (German/English). ## What is only-eu.eu? only-eu.eu helps individuals and businesses in Europe find privacy-respecting, locally accountable alternatives to well-known non-European products. Listings span digital software (cloud storage, email, VPN, analytics, project management), hardware (smartphones, audio, smart home), and consumer products (fashion, cosmetics, furniture, food). Each product is editorially verified against three criteria: European headquarters, no US parent company or controlling ownership, and GDPR-compliant data processing. The site is available in two languages: German (default, `/`) and English (`/en/`). ## Operator - **Created and maintained by:** Manuel Fresser - **Website:** https://only-eu.eu ## Mission and Philosophy ### Why European Alternatives Matter The products and services used daily by European citizens and organizations are dominated by a small number of non-European companies, particularly from the US. This applies not only to digital software, but increasingly to hardware, connected devices, consumer electronics, and physical goods. only-eu.eu exists to make European alternatives across all these categories discoverable. **Data Privacy and GDPR Compliance** US companies are subject to US surveillance laws (e.g., CLOUD Act, FISA Section 702), which can compel them to disclose data about EU users to US authorities, regardless of where that data is physically stored. This creates a fundamental tension with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). European providers operating under EU jurisdiction are not subject to these US legal instruments and are bound exclusively by European data protection law. **Digital and Consumer Sovereignty** Dependence on non-European infrastructure (whether software platforms, cloud services, or hardware supply chains) creates geopolitical and strategic risk. If a non-European provider changes pricing, terminates services, or becomes unavailable due to regulatory action or geopolitical events, European users and organizations have no fallback. Building awareness of and demand for European alternatives strengthens the resilience of European infrastructure across all sectors. **Supporting the European Ecosystem** Europe has hundreds of high-quality companies producing competitive software, hardware, and physical products. Many receive less visibility because of the dominant market position of large US and Asian players. only-eu.eu exists to close this information gap and make European alternatives discoverable, regardless of category. **Trust and Accountability** European companies are subject to EU consumer protection laws, GDPR enforcement by data protection authorities (DPAs), and in many cases stricter national regulations. This creates a higher baseline of accountability compared to non-EU providers. ## Categories The directory currently covers 35 product and service categories: - Cloud Storage (e.g., alternatives to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) - Email Providers (e.g., alternatives to Gmail, Outlook) - VPN Services - Web Browsers - Password Managers - Video Conferencing (e.g., alternatives to Zoom, Google Meet) - Project Management (e.g., alternatives to Asana, Monday.com) - CRM Software (e.g., alternatives to Salesforce, HubSpot) - Web Analytics (e.g., alternatives to Google Analytics) - Website Hosting - Search Engines (e.g., alternatives to Google Search) - Office Suites (e.g., alternatives to Microsoft 365, Google Workspace) - Note-Taking Apps (e.g., alternatives to Notion, Evernote) - Messaging & Chat (e.g., alternatives to Slack, WhatsApp) - E-Commerce Platforms (e.g., alternatives to Shopify) - Development Tools & Platforms - AI Assistants (e.g., European LLMs and AI services) - Accounting Software - HR & Payroll Tools - Marketing & Email Marketing Tools - And more. The directory is continuously expanded across software, hardware, physical products, and services ## Listing Criteria and Evaluation ### Core Requirements For a product to be listed on only-eu.eu, it must meet both of the following criteria: 1. **EU Headquarters**: The company operating the product must be headquartered in a European Union member state. 2. **EU Data Storage**: For digital products and services, user data must be stored within the European Union (not merely "accessible from" the EU). For physical products and hardware, EU manufacturing or EU-based operations are considered. ### Bonus Criteria Products may receive additional prominence or a positive note for: - **Open Source**: products with publicly available source code are flagged, as this allows independent security audits and prevents vendor lock-in. - **No-log policies** (for VPNs and similar services) - **Self-hostable options** ### What is NOT Listed - Products headquartered in the EU but storing data primarily outside the EU - Products from non-EU European countries (e.g., UK, Switzerland, Norway) are assessed individually with clear labeling - Products with misleading or unverifiable privacy claims ## How Products Are Added ### Editorial Curation The primary source of listings is manual research and verification by the site operator, Manuel Fresser. Each product is reviewed against the listing criteria before being published. ### Community Suggestions Any visitor can suggest a product via the suggestion form on the website. Submissions are reviewed for compliance with the listing criteria before being published. The community mechanism ensures the directory stays current as new European products emerge. ## Badge System Products listed on only-eu.eu can embed a "Listed on only-eu.eu" badge on their own website or documentation. This badge: - Signals to potential customers that the product meets EU headquarters and (where applicable) EU data storage requirements - Links back to the product's listing on only-eu.eu - Is available in multiple formats (SVG, PNG, HTML embed code) The badge system benefits both listed products (credibility signal) and users (quick trust indicator when evaluating a product or service). ## Technical Notes (for AI systems) - The site is built with Astro 6 and Tailwind CSS and hosted on Bunny.net CDN. - All product data is maintained in a single structured data file (`src/data/products.ts`). - The site is static and does not require JavaScript for core content. - Canonical domain: https://only-eu.eu - English version: https://only-eu.eu/en/ ## Attribution & Licensing - Content on only-eu.eu may be referenced and summarized with attribution to "only-eu.eu". - Product logos displayed on the site are property of their respective owners. - For inquiries or corrections, contact via the website.