By : Ethan Wright
Updated
Key Differences between AWS and GCP (Google Cloud Platform)
- Google Cloud is a suite of Google’s public cloud computing resources and services, whereas AWS is a secure cloud service developed and managed by Amazon.
- Google Cloud offers Google Cloud Storage, while AWS offers Amazon Simple Storage Services.
- Data transmission in Google Cloud services is fully encrypted; in AWS, it is in a general format.
- Google Cloud volume size is 1 GB to 64 TB, while AWS volume size is 500 GB to 16 TB.
- Google Cloud provides backup services, but AWS offers cloud-based disaster recovery services.
Here, I have analyzed the difference between AWS and Google Cloud and will comprehensively evaluate their pros and cons.
What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a platform that offers flexible, reliable, scalable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective cloud computing solutions.
AWS cloud computing platform offers a massive collection of cloud services that build up a fully-fledged platform. It is known as a powerhouse of storage, databases, analytics, networking, and deployment/delivery options offered to developers.
What is Google Cloud?
Google launched the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) in 2011. This cloud computing platform helps a business grow and thrive. It also helps you to take advantage of Google’s infrastructure and provide them with services that are intelligent, secure, and highly flexible.
Why AWS?
In my extensive use, here are the important pros of selecting AWS web services:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers an easy app deployment process.
- You should opt for AWS when you have DevOps teams that can configure and manage the infrastructure.
- You have very little time to spend on the deployment of a new version of your web or mobile app.
- AWS web service is an ideal option when your project needs high computing power.
- It helps you improve the productivity of the application development team.
- A range of automated functionalities, including configuration, scaling, setup, and others
- It is a cost-effective service that allows you to pay only for what you use without any up-front or long-term commitments.
- AWS allows organizations to use already familiar programming models, operating systems, databases, and architectures.
- You are allowed cloud access quickly with limitless capacity.
Why Google Cloud?
Google Trends: GCP vs AWS
From my experience, these are the advantages of choosing Google cloud services:
- Offers higher productivity gained through quick access to innovation.
- Employees can work from anywhere.
- Future-Proof Infrastructure.
- It provides a serverless environment that allows you to connect to cloud services, with a large focus on the microservices architecture.
- Offers powerful data analytics
- Cost-efficiency due to long-term discounts
- Big Data and Machine Learning products
- Offers instance and payment configuration
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Features of AWS
In my hands-on work with Amazon Web Services (AWS), I have found that its crucial features are:
- The total cost of ownership is very low compared to that of any private/dedicated server.
- Offers centralized billing and management
- Offers hybrid capabilities
- It allows you to deploy your application in multiple regions around the world with just a few clicks.
Features of Google Cloud
In my professional use, I have noted that important features of Google Cloud are:
- Constantly including more languages and OS.
- A better UI helps you improve the user experience.
- Offers an on-demand self-service
- Broad network access
- Resource pooling and rapid elasticity
GCP vs AWS: Regions and Zones
GCP Availability Regions: The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has 187 network edge locations across 40 regions and 121 zones in more than 200 countries and territories.
GCP Availability Regions
AWS Availability Regions: Amazon Web Services (AWS) has 33 regions, 105 availability zones, 600+ CloudFront POPs, 13 regional edge caches, and serves 245 countries and territories.
AWS Availability Regions
GCP vs AWS: Free-Tier Services
Google Cloud: When considering using Google Cloud, looking at their free credits is vital to ensuring they are the right ones. You’ll get a $300 credit for over 90 days upon initial sign-up. They also have two other plans that you can consider.
Amazon Web Services: Depending on the product you choose with AWS, there are several free trials or free offers that you can take advantage of. They offer free trials up to 750 hours or based on GB. Some offers allow a free trial for as much as two months.
Differences between AWS and Google Cloud
From my perspective, here are the major differences between AWS and Google Cloud:
Amazon Web Services vs Google Cloud Platform
| Parameters | AWS | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Age | AWS launched on March 14, 2006. | Google Cloud Platform launched on April 7, 2008. |
| Pricing | Per-hour basis | Per-minute basis |
| What is? | AWS is a secure cloud service. The platform is developed and managed by Amazon. | The Google Cloud Platform is a suite of Google’s public cloud computing resources and services. |
| Containers | Docker, Kubernetes | Kubernetes Only |
| Best feature | It dominates the public cloud market by offering a range of cloud-based products and services. | It specializes in high-computing offerings like Big Data but is fairly new to the cloud scene. |
| Main service | The flagship compute service of AWS is Elastic Compute Cloud, or EC2. | Google’s primary service is the compute engine. |
| Cost | It’s on the higher end in terms of computing and storage costs. | It’s a clear winner with its competitive pricing as compared to AWS. |
| Object Storing | Amazon Simple Storage Services, also called AWS S3,. | Google Cloud Storage |
| VM disk storage | Amazon Elastic Block Store (Amazon EBS) | Persistent Disk (both HDD and SSD) |
| File storage | Amazon Elastic File System (Amazon EFS) | Cloud File Store |
| Archive Storage | S3: One Zone Infrequent Access. Amazon Glacier offers data-querying capabilities. | Archival Cloud Storage. |
| Bulk Data Transfer | AWS Import/Export Disk: Shipping disk drives AWS Snowball (device-based) AWS Snowmobile: Exabyte-scale data transfer via ruggedized shipping container AWS is the clear winner. | Nearline (low frequency) Coldline (lowest frequency) |
| Hybrid support | AWS Storage Gateway offers managed virtual tape infrastructure for a hybrid environment. | Relies on partners such as Egnyte for Hybrid support. |
| Disaster Recovery Management | Provides cloud-based services for disaster recovery. | Offers out-of-the-box DR or backup services |
| Backup | Amazon S3 is used for secondary backup storage. | Has its own built-in Google Cloud |
| Serverless computing | AWS Lamba | Container Engine |
| Volume Sizes | 500GB to 16TB | 1 GB to 64 TB |
| Max IOPS per volume | 500 | 3000 read, 15000 write |
| AI services and Machine Learning | AWS has its own AI service, SageMaker. Compared to Google, AWS’s AI offering is limited. | Google Cloud uses AI chips called TPU, which can run TensorFlow and other AI libraries. The speed and performance are quite fast compared to other similar services. |
| Networking framework | AWS has no tiered networking framework. | GCP has its own tiered networking framework. |
| Data transmission format | In general format. | In a fully encrypted format. |
| Big data support | AWS has its own big data analysis tool, called AWSLambda. | Google Cloud Platform has its own AI, known as AI First for data management on its servers. |
| Available zones | AWS services are available in 105 different zones. | Google Cloud Platform services are available in 121 different regions. |
| Companies using | AppDirect, Eat with Ava, Icarros, Valera, etc. | Bugsnag, Atomcert, Policygenius, PointsHound, etc. |
Disadvantages of AWS
Based on what I have learned, here are the drawbacks of using the AWS cloud:
- The AWS deployment process is not easy and very lengthy, and it can take up to 15 to 20 minutes for a simple website.
- Unreliable deployment with no error description
- AWS is not an ideal option for start-ups that are not tech-savvy.
- You must deploy your application yourself using recipes, Capistrano, or manually.
- Launching multiple app instances is a very difficult process in AWS.
Disadvantages of Google Cloud
In my experience, here are the negatives of using Google Cloud:
- Small components, difficult to start
- Out of the Free Tier, everything costs.
- Lacks features compared to AWS.
How to Choose BetweenAWSandGCP
In my experience, Google Cloud and AWS are both excellent choices. So, before deciding, you should understand what type of feature your organization needs and how much you want to pay for it. Remember that the right cloud service provider helps you achieve your business goals by enhancing your organization’s functioning. Since AWS is the market leader in features and reliability, our vote will tilt toward them.
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