Server Migration to Hetzner: 10x Faster and 100% in the EU

An Important Step for Chorilo

In recent weeks, we at Chorilo have taken a significant step that has fundamentally improved our platform. We have migrated our entire server infrastructure from various international providers to Hetzner Online GmbH in Germany. This decision was the result of careful consideration and brings our users significant benefits in terms of speed, data protection, and reliability.

The migration encompassed all core components of our infrastructure: web servers, databases, Redis cache, and object storage for files such as sheet music and profile pictures. Each of these components now runs on state-of-the-art hardware in German data centers, which has an immediate impact on the user experience.

Noticeably Faster: 10x Performance

The most impressive result of the migration is the dramatic improvement in speed. Our measurements show that Chorilo now responds approximately ten times faster than before. This improvement is not only measurable in benchmarks but is noticeable for every user in daily use.

When you log into Chorilo, pages now load almost instantaneously. Browsing through sheet music, retrieving appointments, or reading notifications happens without noticeable delay. This speed advantage is particularly noticeable when using mobile devices, as the shorter loading times ensure a smooth experience even with weaker internet connections.

The reasons for this improvement are manifold. On one hand, we now use state-of-the-art NVMe SSD storage, which can read and write data much faster than conventional hard drives. On the other hand, we benefit from the optimized network connectivity of Hetzner data centers, which have excellent peering connections to all major internet exchange points. For our European users, this means shorter routes and thus faster response times.

Data Protection at the Highest Level

Besides speed, data protection was a central motivation for the migration. With the move to Hetzner, all data of our users is now stored and processed exclusively in Germany. This has far-reaching implications for the protection of your personal information.

Germany has one of the strictest data protection laws in the world. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation forms only the basis here, as German authorities and courts traditionally interpret these regulations particularly strictly. For choirs that often manage sensitive data of their members, this is an important aspect.

This change is particularly relevant for choirs with church affiliation. The Church Data Protection Act places additional requirements on the processing of personal data. With complete storage in Germany, we can optimally meet these requirements and give church choirs the assurance that their data is protected according to the highest standards.

No More Data Transfers to the USA

A key aspect of the migration is the elimination of data transfers to the United States for our core infrastructure. Previously, we used providers based in the USA for certain services, which always carried a certain residual risk despite all protective measures.

The legal situation regarding transatlantic data transfers has been characterized by uncertainty in recent years. The Schrems II ruling of the European Court of Justice showed that even established mechanisms like the Privacy Shield cannot provide sufficient protection. Although the EU-US Data Privacy Framework now exists, concerns remain for many organizations.

With the migration to Hetzner, we have eliminated this uncertainty for our core infrastructure. Your choir data, member information, appointments, and sheet music never leave the European legal area. This gives you as choir leadership the certainty that you can transparently communicate to your members where their data is stored.

Email Delivery Now Also in the EU

As part of the infrastructure optimization, we have also changed our email service provider. Instead of a US-based provider, we now use Brevo, headquartered in Paris, France. This means that the sending of system emails such as password reset links or invitations is now handled entirely within the European Union.

This change may seem small at first glance, but it is quite significant. Emails often contain personal information and are sent to the private email addresses of your members. The fact that this communication is now handled entirely within the EU rounds off our data protection concept.

Self-Hosted Error Tracking

We have also made changes to the technical monitoring of our platform. Our error tracking system Sentry, which helps us quickly identify and fix technical problems, is now operated by ourselves on our own servers in Germany.

Previously, we used Sentry's cloud service with servers in the USA. Although the data transmitted was mostly technical in nature, we decided to internalize this area as well. Error tracking now runs entirely on our own infrastructure, which means that this data also does not leave Germany.

Reliability and Availability

Hetzner is one of the most established hosting providers in Germany with over 25 years of experience. The data centers in Nuremberg and Falkenstein are among the most modern in Europe and meet the highest standards regarding security, redundancy, and energy efficiency.

For Chorilo, this means even higher availability and reliability. The redundant design of the systems ensures that operations continue seamlessly even in the event of hardware failures. Regular backups and a well-thought-out disaster recovery concept protect your data from loss.

Hetzner's data centers are also ISO 27001 certified, the international standard for information security management systems. This certification confirms that comprehensive security measures are implemented and regularly reviewed.

What Does This Mean for You?

As a Chorilo user, you benefit directly from these improvements. The faster loading times make daily work with the platform more pleasant and efficient. The improved data protection gives you the assurance that your choir's data is optimally protected.

For choir directors and board members, the migration also means simplification of data protection issues. When members ask where their data is stored, you can now clearly answer: in Germany, with a German company, according to German and European data protection standards.

The migration was an extensive project that required careful planning and execution. We gladly took on this effort because we are convinced that our users deserve the best. The combination of maximum speed and highest data protection is the foundation on which we will continue to develop Chorilo.

Our Promise to You

With this migration, we underscore our commitment to quality and data protection. Chorilo is not just choir management software, but a partner you can trust with your data. We take this responsibility seriously and will continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of our users.

The server infrastructure is the backbone of any online platform. With the move to Hetzner, we have strengthened this backbone and prepared it for the future. We look forward to being able to offer you even better features and services on this improved foundation.