7 Equinix Competitors and Alternatives

Equinix is a popular colocation and interconnection service provider with secure, high-performance data center solutions. While Equinix is a common choice for enterprises looking to optimize their IT infrastructure, many organizations are looking for alternatives that meet more specific needs, such as cost efficiency, regional availability, or compliance requirements.

This article presents seven excellent Equinix competitors you should consider signing up with if Equinix is not an ideal fit for your company. Jump in to learn about the most noteworthy Equinix alternatives and make an informed decision on what provider best aligns with your IT requirements.

7 Equinix Alternatives  

If Equinix is not the right fit for your business, there are other colocation providers that offer comparatively strong connectivity, security, and scalability capabilities. Below, we break down seven Equinix competitors, highlight their key selling points, and help you find the best match for your IT needs.

phoenixNAP

phoenixNAP is a Tier 3+ colocation provider that focuses primarily on high-performance computing and hybrid cloud integration. It's a great alternative to Equinix because it offers a highly flexible, carrier‐neutral colocation environment with competitive pricing and excellent connectivity options, with access to over 45 different carriers.

phoenixNAP's global footprint ensures a broad reach and low-latency performance for diverse IT deployments. You can find pNAP facilities in the following locations:

• Phoenix, Arizona.
• Ashburn, Virginia.
• Atlanta, Georgia.
• Chicago, Illinois.
• Seattle, Washington.
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• Belgrade, Serbia.
• Singapore.

In addition to its global reach, phoenixNAP delivers robust 24/7 support, proactive monitoring, and strong compliance with industry standards, which reinforces its appeal to organizations that prioritize performance and environmental impact.

Compared to Equinix, phoenixNAP offers cost-effective and flexible services ideal for high-performance computing and mid-to-large colocation projects.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral interconnection with direct cloud on-ramps to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
• Latency. Optimized for ultra-low latency, which is crucial for financial and enterprise applications.
• Support. 24/7 on-site support and proactive monitoring.
• Compliance. SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and ISO 27001 certified.
• Environmental impact. Energy-efficient operations with carbon reduction initiatives.

Digital Realty

Digital Realty operates over 300 data centers in more than 50 markets worldwide, with key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Its scalable infrastructure supports high-density connectivity and robust hybrid cloud integration.

Digital Realty's services are complemented by 24/7 support, robust regulatory compliance, and an ongoing commitment to sustainability. However, Digital Realty may come at a higher cost for smaller or mid-sized businesses.

Digital Realty's ServiceFabric platform enables seamless hybrid IT connectivity, providing direct access to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud. Campus and metro interconnectivity help minimize latency and optimize data transfers within and between Digital Realty's data centers.

Compared to Equinix, Digital Realty provides enhanced direct cloud connectivity with broader hybrid cloud integration options.

Key Features:

• Size & presence. Over 300 data centers globally.
• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral facilities offering direct cloud connections.
• Latency. Low-latency peering solutions for high-demand applications.
• Support. 24/7 customer service with managed colocation options.
• Compliance. Adheres to HIPAA, SOC, and ISO 27001 standards.
• Environmental impact. Committed to energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.

CoreSite

CoreSite is a prominent colocation provider with data centers that support high-performance computing and hybrid cloud deployments. CoreSite's proximity to key business hubs reduces latency and enhances user experience.

CoreSite is present across several major U.S. markets, including:

• Los Angeles, California.
• Silicon Valley, California.
• Chicago, Illinois.
• Denver, Colorado.
• Boston, Massachusetts.
• New York, New York.
• Northern Virginia, Virginia.
• Washington D.C.
• Atlanta, Georgia.
• Miami, Florida.
• Orlando, Florida.

In addition to its broad U.S. pressence, CoreSite provides carrier-neutral facilities with direct cloud on-ramps to major cloud service providers, including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud. This connectivity allows businesses to integrate their colocation environments with public and private clouds seamlessly.

CoreSite boasts 24/7 on-site support and adherence to industry-leading compliance standards, which ensures secure and reliable services for their clients.

CoreSite stands out among Equinix competitors due to its ultra-low latency and direct cloud on-ramps across major U.S. markets. These qualities make CoreSite a top choice for performance-sensitive applications.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral interconnections with direct cloud on-ramps to AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.
• Latency. Optimized for ultra-low latency.
• Support. 24/7 on-site support and remote hands services.
• Compliance. Adherence to industry standards, including SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.
• Environmental impact. Commitments to energy-efficient operations and sustainability make CoreSite an excellent choice for large-scale hybrid cloud architectures that involve collocated hardware.

Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain is a data center provider that offers colocation, cloud computing, and compliance-ready data storage services. This vendor is a popular choice for companies with strict data protection requirements.

Iron Mountain operates a global colocation platform with over 25 data centers across three continents. In addition to several major U.S. cities, it's key markets include:

• Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• London, The U.K.
• Frankfurt, Germany.
• Singapore.
• Mumbai, India.

Iron Mountain emphasizes security and compliance, and thus caters to organizations with strict regulatory requirements. Its data centers are powered by 100% renewable energy, allowing them to provide their customers with the Green Power Pass, which enables transparent reporting of green energy usage for sustainability audits. Additionally, Iron Mountain's carrier-neutral facilities provide a wide range of network services, including cross-connects, direct internet access, and cloud on-ramps.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral facilities offer a wide range of network services, including cross-connects, direct internet access, and cloud on-ramps.
• Latency. Low-latency solutions suitable for various applications.
• Support. Offers comprehensive services, including certified monitoring, migration assistance, and engineering support.
• Compliance. Maintains compliance with standards such as HIPAA, FISMA High, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and SOC 2/3.
• Environmental impact. Prioritizes renewable energy, and customers get the Green Power Pass for sustainability reporting.

Cologix

Cologix is a network-neutral interconnection and colocation provider in North America. Their facilities offer low-latency connectivity and direct access to a multitude of carriers, cloud providers, and partners.

Cologix operates in more than 40 data centers across 11 strategic markets, including:

• Dallas, Texas.
• Jacksonville, Florida.
• Lakeland, Florida.
• Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Montreal, Canada.
• New Jersey.
• Silicon Valley.
• Toronto, Canada.
• Vancouver, Canada.

Cologix differentiates from other Equinix competitors through their meet-me rooms (MMRs), which facilitate seamless interconnection between various networks and service providers within their data centers. This setup enables clients to efficiently manage their connectivity needs and expand their reach without dealing with multiple vendors.

Additionally, Cologix boasts robust security measures, including 24/7 on-site personnel, biometric access controls, and comprehensive monitoring systems.

What sets Cologix apart from Equinix is its focus on seamless interconnection through extensive meet-me rooms and low-latency connectivity.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Network-neutral facilities with meet-me rooms for diverse interconnection options.
• Latency. Strategically located data centers designed for low-latency performance.
• Support. 24/7 on-site support with remote hands services available.
• Compliance. Adheres to industry standards, including SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.
• Environmental impact. Committed to sustainability with energy-efficient operations and initiatives to reduce carbon footprint.

TierPoint

TierPoint provides colocation services across the United States, with support for a wide range of IT infrastructure needs, from small businesses to large enterprises. The provider's main focus is offering flexible solutions that scale with clients' requirements.

TierPoint has over 40 data centers in various locations, including:

• Dallas, Texas.
• Chicago, Illinois.
• Two locations in Washington.
• Five locations in Pennsylvania.
• Three locations in Missouri.
• Jacksonville, Florida.

TierPoint uses a hybrid IT approach that allows clients to seamlessly integrate colocation with cloud services, providing users with a solution that aligns with specific business objectives. The provider is also heavily committed to security and implements advanced measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), intrusion detection systems (IDSs), and regular security audits.

Compared to other Equinix competitors, TierPoint delivers a flexible hybrid IT approach with a widespread U.S. footprint and robust security measures, providing a scalable and cost-effective alternative.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral facilities with access to multiple network providers and cloud on-ramps.
• Latency. Strategically placed data centers to optimize latency and performance.
• Support. 24/7 on-site support with a range of managed IT services available.
• Compliance. Meets industry standards, including SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GLBA.
• Environmental impact. Focuses on energy-efficient designs and practices to minimize environmental impact.

Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers provides large-scale, flexible, and scalable data center solutions for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and large enterprises.

Its data centers are located across the North America, EMEA, and APAC regions, with state-of-the-art campuses in key markets such as:

• Ashburn, Virginia.
• Santa Clara, California.
• Montreal, Canada.
• Frankfurt, Germany.
• Singapore.
• Berlin, Germany.
• Milan, Italy.
• Warsaw, Poland.

This provider's data centers meet the demands of high-growth customers and offer customizable options to accommodate specific power, cooling, and space requirements. Vantage also employs energy-efficient designs, utilizes renewable energy sources where possible, and implements innovative cooling solutions to reduce environmental impact.

This vendor's data centers are equipped with advanced security measures, including multi-layered access controls, surveillance systems, and 24/7 on-site security personnel.

Vantage provides highly customizable, large-scale colocation solutions with energy-efficient designs, ideal for enterprises and hyperscalers needing tailored infrastructure that exceeds Equinix's standardized offerings.

Key Features:

• Connectivity. Carrier-neutral data centers with diverse network options and cloud connectivity.
• Latency. Strategically located campuses designed to deliver low-latency performance.
• Support. 24/7 on-site support with customizable solutions to meet client-specific needs.
• Compliance. Adheres to international standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.
• Environmental impact. Emphasizes sustainability through energy-efficient designs and the use of renewable energy sources.

Equinix Competitors: How to Choose

Choosing a colocation provider requires you to consider factors like regional availability, compliance requirements, and cost-effectiveness. Here's how to narrow down your options:

• Define your priorities. Do you need global reach, lower latency, or enhanced security? Rank your must-have features.
• Compare connectivity options. Look for carrier-neutral facilities with direct cloud on-ramps if seamless multi-cloud integration is important.
• Assess compliance & security. Ensure the provider meets industry standards (SOC, HIPAA, ISO) if regulatory requirements are a concern.
• Check scalability & flexibility. Opt for a provider that supports growth, whether through hybrid cloud solutions or modular expansion.
• Consider pricing & contracts. Transparent pricing models and flexible contracts are vital as they prevent unexpected costs.
• Evaluate sustainability practices. If eco-conscious operations matter to your organization, look for providers with renewable energy initiatives.

By focusing on these factors, you can select a data center services provider that aligns with your IT strategy and long-term goals.

The Best Alternative Is the One That Works for You

While Equinix remains a common choice in the data center services industry, its alternatives offer compelling options that may better suit your specific needs. By weighing the strengths of each provider against your requirements, budget, and IT strategy, you can make a well-informed decision that sets your business up for long-term success.