Building a SaaS on a 100% EU Stack

In 2026, constructing a SaaS product without relying on AWS, Azure, or GCP is not only possible but practical, thanks to the robust European software ecosystem. Each core layer of a SaaS stack now has credible EU alternatives. For hosting and compute, Hetzner offers unbeatable price-performance for those comfortable with Linux, while Scaleway provides managed services akin to AWS, easing operational burdens. For billing and payments, Mollie mirrors the Stripe experience, supporting major European payment methods and simplifying cross-border transactions.

Bunny.net emerges as a cost-effective CDN solution, offering a comprehensive suite of services including edge storage and DDoS protection, all at usage-based pricing. When it comes to analytics, Plausible and Simple Analytics provide privacy-first alternatives to Google Analytics, eliminating cookie consent issues and ensuring GDPR compliance. For transactional emails, Ahasend, Lettermint, and MailerLite offer generous free tiers and easy integration, catering to the needs of early-stage SaaS companies.

Building a SaaS on an entirely European stack no longer requires compromises. The stack outlined here is not theoretical; it's used by real companies and offers competitive costs compared to US-based solutions. While some niche AWS services lack direct EU equivalents, the majority of SaaS applications can thrive on this foundation. The benefits extend beyond cost, offering simpler GDPR compliance, native support for European payment methods, and local support teams. Opting for an EU stack is a practical choice, not just an ideological one, and it's viable now.

For most SaaS workloads, the EU stack is comparable or cheaper, with Hetzner's pricing significantly lower than AWS EC2 and Mollie's fees competitive with Stripe. EU providers favor open standards, reducing lock-in risks compared to US hyperscalers. This modular approach allows for independent layer swaps without overhauling the entire system, making it a flexible and future-proof choice for SaaS development.