Equinix vs Digital Realty: Colocation Compared for Buyers
Equinix and Digital Realty are both large, publicly traded data center operators, and both appear in many of the same U.S. markets on DataCenter Hunter. Equinix has the larger listed footprint here (93 facilities across 31 markets versus 38 across 14). The right choice depends on the specific building: its power, carriers, interconnection options and contract terms for your requirements.
By DataCenter Hunter
At a glance on DataCenter Hunter
Counts below are facilities and markets currently listed on DataCenter Hunter, not each company's full global portfolio.
| Equinix | Digital Realty | |
|---|---|---|
| Listed facilities | 93 | 38 |
| Listed U.S. markets | 31 | 14 |
| Largest listed markets | Ashburn, VA (13), Culpeper, VA (10), Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX (7 each) | Dallas, TX (12), Ashburn, VA, Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY and San Francisco, CA (3 each) |
| Provider page | Equinix facilities | Digital Realty facilities |
Public company profile
- Equinix is headquartered in Redwood City, California, trades on Nasdaq (EQIX) and operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). Its data centers are branded International Business Exchange (IBX), and its software-defined interconnection service is Equinix Fabric.
- Digital Realty is headquartered in Austin, Texas, trades on the NYSE (DLR) and also operates as a REIT. Its global data center platform is PlatformDIGITAL, and ServiceFabric is its interconnection and orchestration platform. In its filings it describes offerings ranging from a single cabinet to multi-megawatt deployments.
Sources are listed at the end of this page.
Markets where both are listed
Both providers are listed in nine of the same markets on DataCenter Hunter, which makes head-to-head quotes practical in these cities:
| Market | Equinix listed | Digital Realty listed |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | 7 | 12 |
| Ashburn, VA | 13 | 3 |
| Chicago, IL | 7 | 3 |
| Atlanta, GA | 7 | 2 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 3 | 3 |
| New York, NY | 2 | 3 |
| Boston, MA | 1 | 2 |
| Houston, TX | 2 | 1 |
| Miami, FL | 2 | 1 |
Counts use the market labels on each provider page. Nearby suburbs can be listed separately (for example, Equinix also lists sites in Culpeper and several Chicago-area suburbs).
Where only one is listed
- Equinix only (enriched market pages): San Jose, Santa Clara, Philadelphia, Newark, Denver and Seattle.
- Digital Realty only (enriched market pages): San Francisco, Phoenix, Charlotte and Austin.
How to choose between them
The brand matters less than the building. Compare the specific facilities you would use on:
- Interconnection needs. If your design depends on reaching many carriers, clouds, partners or exchanges in one place, ask each provider which networks and cloud on-ramps are present in the building you are quoting, and how their interconnection platform reaches other sites. See Colocation Connectivity & Cross-Connects.
- Footprint size. Ask each for the footprint options in your target building, from cabinets and cages to dedicated suites. Wholesale vs Retail Colocation explains how the commercial model changes as you grow.
- Power and density. Confirm the density supported in the specific room and whether capacity is live or planned. See Colocation Power Requirements.
- Contract terms. Compare escalators, renewal pricing, expansion rights and SLA remedies line by line using How to Compare Colocation Quotes.
- Market coverage. If you need a second site, check which provider is listed in both of your target metros.
Questions to ask both providers
- Which carriers, clouds and interconnection platforms are available in this specific building?
- What density is supported in the room you are quoting, and is the capacity live today?
- What footprint options are available now, and what expansion space can be reserved?
- How are power, cross-connects and remote hands billed, and what is the annual escalator?
- What does the SLA cover, and what are the remedies?
Next step
Equinix and Digital Realty often compete in the same metros, so the best way to choose is to compare real proposals for your requirements. Request quotes from both, or book a consult to decide which buildings to shortlist.
Frequently asked questions
Is Equinix or Digital Realty better for colocation?
Neither is better in every case. Both are large operators that appear in many of the same U.S. markets. The right choice depends on the specific building's power, carriers, interconnection options, footprint and contract terms for your requirements.
How many Equinix and Digital Realty facilities does DataCenter Hunter list?
DataCenter Hunter currently lists 93 Equinix facilities across 31 U.S. markets and 38 Digital Realty facilities across 14 U.S. markets. These are listings on DataCenter Hunter, not each company's full global portfolio.
In which markets can I compare Equinix and Digital Realty directly?
Both are listed on DataCenter Hunter in Dallas, TX, Ashburn, VA, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Boston, MA, Houston, TX and Miami, FL.
What is the difference between Equinix Fabric and Digital Realty ServiceFabric?
Both are each company's platform for creating connections between data centers, clouds and partners. Capabilities and reach differ by building and change over time, so ask each provider what the platform supports in the facility you are quoting.
Are Equinix and Digital Realty both REITs?
Yes. According to their public filings, both companies operate as real estate investment trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
How do I get quotes from both?
Submit your requirements once through DataCenter Hunter and we will request comparable proposals from both providers, and others in your market, at no cost.
Sources
- Equinix investor relations site (company overview, Nasdaq: EQIX, Redwood City headquarters) investor.equinix.com
- Equinix Form 10-K filed 2026-02-11 (REIT status, IBX data centers, Equinix Fabric description) investor.equinix.com
- Digital Realty Q4 2025 results release, SEC Exhibit 99.1 dated 2026-02-05 (NYSE: DLR, Austin headquarters, PlatformDIGITAL) sec.gov
- Digital Realty ServiceFabric product page digitalrealty.com
- DataCenter Hunter counts /providers/equinix /providers/digital-realty (fetched 2026-10-02). datacenterhunter.com/providers