AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Choose the Right One for Your Business

AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are the key players in the competitive cloud computing market. Choosing which is crucial for businesses, as seen with companies like Netflix and Boeing. We’ve prepared a straightforward AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud services comparison guide to help you choose the right cloud provider for your business growth. With TECHVIFY’s deep understanding of these platforms, we aim to guide you in selecting the best option to scale your business and outpace competitors. Let’s explore these top cloud services and find the right match for you.

I. The current state of AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud

Together, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) dominate 67% of the worldwide market for cloud computing services. This is significant, but the reasons might take time to be apparent.

Here’s what you need to know.

AWS, Azure, and GCP are seasoned in managing cloud infrastructure, which translates to enhanced services, better engineering education, and top-notch technical assistance for their users.

Moreover, they can foster innovation and securely store your data across the globe. Their renowned reputation also drives them to maintain high standards of responsibility.

Collectively, these aspects make it more probable for you to opt for one of these cloud service providers (CSPs) over others.

However, you’ll only require one cloud provider if you’re exploring a multi-cloud approach. Even if your plan involves using all three, understanding all the differences between AWS vs Azure vs GCP and which vendor best suits the specific services you need is crucial.

II. Comparison of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud

#1. Pricing

Comparing AWS vs Google Cloud vs Azure pricing can be difficult because of the variety of plans, discounts, and features each provider offers. Instead of a detailed price comparison, we’ll focus on the average expenditure you might expect. Effective management of cloud expenses is vital to minimizing costs and optimizing your budget.

• The monthly cost is approximately $69 for a primary Amazon Web Services instance. In contrast, a larger AWS instance will cost about $3.97 per hour.
• Similarly, a small instance on Azure is priced at around $70 per month, closely matching AWS’s rate. However, Azure’s larger instance is notably more expensive, at $6.79 per hour.
• Google Cloud offers a more economical option, with its basic instance priced at just $52 per month. For a larger instance on Google Cloud, the hourly rate is $5.32, placing it between AWS and Azure in terms of cost.

Overall, among Google Cloud Platform vs AWS vs Azure. AWS and Azure have similar pricing structures due to comparable free tier offers and other pricing options. Thanks to its lower computing costs than AWS and Azure, Google Cloud is generally as the most cost-effective for serverless computing.

#2. Performance and scalability

Let’s Evaluate the performance and scalability of Google Cloud Platform vs AWS vs Azure:

• Amazon Web Services

As the leading provider in cloud computing, AWS provides an extensive range of services and maintains a strong presence worldwide. It operates 25 geographic regions with 81 availability zones, 218+ edge locations, and 12 Regional Edge Caches. This extensive network ensures high uptime and robust network speed, making AWS a reliable choice for organizations requiring a scalable and high-performing cloud environment.

• Microsoft Azure 

Azure is the second-largest cloud platform and is rapidly growing. It operates across more than 60 regions, each having a minimum of three availability zones, and includes over 116 edge locations. Azure’s broad geographic coverage, especially its substantial presence in enterprise sectors, provides excellent performance and scalability options. Its integration with Microsoft’s services makes it a particularly appealing choice for businesses already embedded in the Microsoft ecosystem.

• Google Cloud Platform

Although among the three AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud, GCP is the smallest cloud provider. It offers robust services and a significant global network. It includes 27 cloud regions with 82 zones and 146 edge locations. GCP’s infrastructure, backed by Google’s pioneering internet technologies, offers competitive uptime and network speeds, making it a strong contender in performance and scalability, especially for containerized workloads and data-intensive applications.

#3. Security measures and compliance standards

Feature/Platform	AWS	Azure	GCP
Shared Responsibility Model	Simpler approach: Customers handle security “in” the cloud; AWS manages security “of” the cloud.	Three categories: Customer responsibility, shared area based on cloud model, and cloud provider responsibility.	The detailed Shared Responsibility Matrix specifies responsibilities in each instance.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)	Supports MFA, SSO, and RBAC. No built-in PAM; relies on third-party solutions.	Supports MFA, SSO, and RBAC. Offers Privileged Identity Management for PAM.	Supports MFA, SSO, and RBAC. No built-in PAM; relies on third-party solutions.
IaaS Security	Offers AWS Shield for DDoS protection, Secrets Manager, and AWS VPN.	Provides DDoS Protection, Key Vault for secrets management, and Azure VPN gateway.	Features Google Cloud Armor for DDoS protection, Secrets Manager, and Google Cloud VPN.
Data Security (PaaS)	Supports IAM policies, firewall rules, and encryption in transit.	Similar support for IAM policies, firewall rules, and encryption in transit.	Also provides IAM policies, firewall rules, and encryption in transit.
Built-in Security and Compliance (SaaS)	Amazon Inspector for security assessment and compliance with standards like ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.	Azure Security Center for compliance tools supporting standards like ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.	Trust and Security Center for compliance with standards such as ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
Marketplace Support	Offers a marketplace for third-party security applications.	Similar marketplace for third-party security applications.	Marketplace available, but trying to catch up with AWS and Azure.

More insights about Cloud Computing:

Cybersecurity in Cloud Computing: Definition, Challenges and Best Practices

On-premises vs Cloud: A Clear Comparison

Customer Support and Documentation

Amazon Web Services 

• Customer Support: AWS offers a range of customer support plans tailored to different needs, from essential developer support to more comprehensive business and enterprise support. These plans include varying levels of 24/7 access to customer service, technical support, and response times for support cases.
• Documentation: AWS provides extensive documentation, including detailed guides, tutorials, and API references for its services. The documentation provided by AWS is recognized for its comprehensive coverage and consistent updates, establishing it as a helpful tool for developers.

Microsoft Azure 

• Customer Support: Azure provides a variety of support plans specifically crafted to suit businesses ranging from small startups to large enterprises. They offer developer, standard, and professional direct support plans. Each plan provides different levels of support, with options for faster response times and more direct access to Azure experts.
• Documentation: Azure’s documentation is comprehensive, offering a wide range of resources, including quickstarts, tutorials, and reference materials. Azure also integrates its documentation with Microsoft’s broader ecosystem, providing a seamless experience for users familiar with Microsoft products.

Google Cloud Platform 

• Customer Support: GCP provides various support services through its role-based support system. This system allows users to choose support based on their role in the organization, such as development or operations. GCP’s support plans range from basic to premium, offering varying access levels to Google’s support resources.
• Documentation: Google Cloud’s documentation is user-friendly and includes quickstarts, how-to guides, and best practices. GCP’s documentation is particularly noted for its focus on real-world applications and integration with Google’s other services and APIs.

Ecosystem and Integration Options 

Cloud Provider	Key Features
AWS	– Extensive array of services and APIs – Vast network of third-party integrations – Strong developer community
Azure	– Smooth integration with Microsoft products (Windows Server, Active Directory, Office 365) – Hybrid cloud capabilities with Azure Stack
GCP	– Focus on open-source technology – Strengths in data analytics and machine learning – Seamless integration with Google services (Google Workspace)

Popularity and Adoption Rate

Statista reports that AWS is commanding in the market share competition, outperforming its rivals. As of the first quarter of 2023, AWS leads the global cloud infrastructure market, boasting a substantial 32% share. Azure ranks second with a 23% share, and Google Cloud, with a 10% share, remains behind the leading two providers.

AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: Finding the best choice?

Selecting the ideal cloud platform is more than just a one-size-fits-all scenario. The optimal choice hinges on your specific business requirements and capabilities. Here’s a breakdown to help simplify your decision:

• Market Shares: AWS leads with about a third of the market, earning it a five-star rating.
• Establishment: AWS retakes the top spot, being the most seasoned and developed solution.
• Availability Zones: With the most availability zones and extensive regional coverage, AWS dominates this area.
• Growth Rate: GCP stands out with an impressive growth rate nearing 100%, making it the clear leader.
• Clientele: All three platforms are on par in this category, with significant industry players utilizing each.
• Service Range: AWS is the go-to for sheer service variety. But for seamless integration with open-source and on-premises systems, Azure is your best bet.

While AWS appears to lead among the three, it only automatically makes it the ideal choice for some situations. Given the rapid growth of Azure and GCP, they could surpass AWS. For instance, Azure might be more suitable if your organization heavily relies on Microsoft infrastructure. On the other hand, GCP is known for its competitive pricing models. Therefore, your decision should be based on carefully evaluating various factors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, which is better, AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud hinges on your unique business needs and goals. AWS leads in market share and services, Azure excels in Microsoft integration, and Google Cloud offers competitive pricing and robust data analytics. Making the right choice can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone.

For expert guidance in selecting the best cloud provider for your needs, contact TECHVIFY. Our experienced consultants are ready to help you navigate these options and make a decision that aligns with your business strategy. Contact TECHVIFY today for top-notch cloud provider consultation.