It can be difficult to compare these cloud giants with so many features and services. This comparison will show you how Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud IaaS, and PaaS platforms stack up against each other.
We’ll discuss seven factors to consider before you choose a cloud provider that suits your business.
Comparing AWS Vs. Azure Vs. Google
Amazon Web Services, the oldest and most established public cloud provider, has been leading the IaaS market ever since 2006. AWS boasts a greater global cloud network and broader service portfolio than any other cloud vendor.
Despite AWS’s dominance in the market, Microsoft has seen rapid growth under the “cloud first” strategy of Satya Nadella. Microsoft Azure is a great cloud option for companies who already rely on Microsoft-centric IT infrastructures.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has recently helped Internet giant Google climb into the top three. Google Cloud is distinguished by its deep investments in machine learning and analytics.
Let’s look at the offerings of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud in seven different categories.
Features and ServicesCompute CapabilitiesExisting Customer BaseHybrid Cloud and Legacy AppsDeploying Apps and PaaSOpen Source Developer CapabilitiesPricingServices140+ cloud servicesOn par with AWS75+ cloud servicesRegions19 global regions54 global regions18 global regionsComputeEC2Virtual MachinesCompute EngineHybridHybrid support through partnerships with on-premises providersComprehensive hybrid cloud support and capabilitiesRecently introduced hybrid cloud support in 2018PaaSOffers app deployment solutions but lacks in app hostingExtensive app deployment and hosting servicesIncludes developer tools but has fewer PaaS capabilitiesOpen-SourceContributes to Linux, Kubernetes & moreRecently acquired GitHubLeads in open-source capabilities. Created over 2,000 open source projectsExisting CustomersExpedia, Netflix, Airbnb, NewsCorp, Aon, Channel 4, Dow Jones, NikeAdobe, HP, NBC News, Boeing, easyJetTarget, 20th Century Fox, Twitter, PayPal, BloombergPricingPer-second billing for EC2 and several other servicesPer-second billing on container instances onlyPer-second billing (one-minute minimum)Price CalculatorPrice CalculatorPrice Calculator
1. Services and Features
The key to choosing the right cloud provider is your business’s needs, wants, and workloads.
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer similar basic capabilities. All three offer the same public cloud services, including self service and instant provisioning, autoscaling and security.
AWS is more popular than its competitors and offers the most comprehensive range of services. Amazon’s 140 cloud services include everything you need, including compute, storage, networking, and developer tools.
Azure’s services are almost identical to AWS. Google Cloud offers fewer cloud service options than its competitors in security and DevOps, but is more competitive in machine learning and analytics.
All three providers are open to partnerships and allow customers access to external apps and services within their cloud environments. Google, for example, has formed partnerships with Pivotal, Rackspace, and SAP.
2. Compute Capabilities
Computing is the key to building and running an organization. The right compute services will enable you to efficiently develop and deploy your applications and workloads.
AWS EC2
Elastic Compute Cloud is AWS’s main compute offering. EC2 provides a variety of configurations for different uses, including big data and enterprise applications, as well as migrations from on-premises environments. AWS also offers related services such as Elastic Beanstalk to deploy apps and AWS Lambda to run code.
Azure Virtual Machines
Azure’s compute services center around Azure Virtual Machines. These machines allow you to provision Linux or Windows VMs in a matter of seconds. You can also use Azure tools like Cloud Services, App Services, and Functions to quickly create and deploy cloud applications.
Google Compute Engine
Google’s scalable Compute Engine provides VMs in Google data centers. Compute Engine’s VMs are fast to boot, have persistent disk storage, and can be used for any workload.
3. Existing customer base
While a high-profile customer base should not be the main reason you choose a cloud provider for your business, it can help you understand how others in your industry are benefiting from the cloud.
AWS has traditionally taken on large enterprise deals such as Expedia and Airbnb. Azure also boasts some well-knowncustomersincluding Adobe, HP and NBC News.
Google has found its niche with smaller cloud-native startups. However, they have also taken on larger companies in recent years like Target, 20th Century Fox and PayPal.
These large companies often use multi-cloud approaches to get the best out of different cloud providers. An example: A company may choose Google Cloud for its analytics or ML capabilities, but partner with AWS and Azure for large-scale compute requirements.
4. Hybrid Cloud and Legacy Apps
Many companies delay cloud migration because they still rely on legacy apps. Not all companies have the ability to create new apps in the cloud environment. You should choose a cloud provider that has strong hybrid cloud capabilities if you still rely on older apps or prefer to keep sensitive information in onsite data centers.
AWS
Amazon has always dismissed the benefits of using on-premises applications. However, they have recently made a greater effort towards hybrid cloud support. AWS has partnerships with vendors such as Intel, SAP, and VMware to allow you to run your enterprise applications on AWS.
Azure
Azure provides the best support and capabilities to hybrid clouds. It offers all the tools that you need to create modern apps, unify DevOps, and streamline identity management