Google Cloud vs. AWS vs. Azure vs. DigitalOcean: A Comparison

Choosing a cloud platform for your organization is a challenging task, especially when you have a range of options to choose from. To make the best decision, consider your team’s needs and how a cloud platform can meet and exceed your safety, storage, and usability requirements.

The cloud technology ecosystem is increasingly competitive and complex, so it's important to narrow your focus to stay on track. To help you get started, let’s compare leaders in the market: Google Cloud vs AWS vs Azure vs DigitalOcean. 

Amazon Web Services

What Is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon’s cloud service platform that helps organizations grow and develop through domains such as computing, delivery, and storage. These domains are used in the form of services that can deploy many cloud applications and are easily scalable. The three types of AWS services include:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
2. Software as a Service (SaaS)
3. Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Why AWS?

So why do teams choose AWS for their cloud services? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits.

Pros

• Speed - AWS is known for its speed and simplicity, which allows teams to deploy applications within minutes, saving time and resources.
• Flexibility - AWS allows you to use your preferred programming languages, operating systems, and application platforms. Teams can create their preferred system and build a computing environment that works for them.
• Scalability - Due to the AWS Auto Scaling service, this platform can adapt quickly as your organization grows. For example, if you need new servers, AWS allows you to add this equipment in minutes.

Cons

Now, let’s note the drawbacks of AWS:

• Price Variation - The cost of using AWS varies widely depending on location, package options, power usage, and more. Teams may struggle to understand their monthly expenses because of the vast range of options.
• Computing Glitches - Because Amazon is such a massive company, it’s subject to computing and server glitches that may disrupt your operations.
• Limitations - Though AWS has default options, it has limitations for certain locations. As a business, this creates an extra hurdle if you need to add resources.

Google Cloud Platform

What is Google Cloud?

The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a suite of computing services so teams can do everything from data management to utilizing machine learning and AI tools. The GCP combines Cloud Datastore, BigQuery, Google Compute Engine, and other cloud services into a single package known for its security, scalability, and adaptability.

Why Google Cloud?

Thanks to its intuitive user interface, speedy development, and built-in security controls, the Google Cloud is one of the most popular platforms for organizations of all sizes. Here are some key benefits.

Pros

• Collaboration - The Google Cloud services allow teams to access projects simultaneously and instantly collaborate. This data is stored in the cloud instead of individual devices to keep track of progress.
• Reliability - If a data center is unavailable, the GCP immediately falls back on a secondary center without interruptions. This means teams can keep working while the issue is resolved.
• Innovation - Google is committed to innovation that helps teams make smarter, data-driven decisions. Whether you need to break down silos and build new user experiences or you want to use built-in artificial intelligence for automation, you can do so using the GCP.
• Storage - The GCP has a range of online storage products, from object storage to low-cost archival storage. All storage products are secure and run on Google’s trustworthy cloud infrastructure.
• Security - The Google Cloud has advanced built-in security features that defend your data and applications against threats, fraudulent activity, malware, and more. Google pioneered the zero-trust security model at the core of its services and operations.

Cons

Here are a few drawbacks to consider regarding the GCP:

• Fewer Global Data Centers - The GCP has fewer global data centers than its competitors, notably AWS. AWS provides global coverage to 245 countries and territories, while the GCP covers slightly over 200.
• Limited Languages - The Google Cloud has a more limited choice of programming languages than competitors.

Azure

What is Azure?

Azure is Microsoft’s cloud platform that allows teams to build, run, and manage applications across multiple clouds, both on-premises and at the edge. Microsoft Azure combines many tools — from DevOps to business analytics — to deliver smart solutions.

Why Azure?

Let’s look at some of the key reasons teams choose Azure.

Pros

• Integrated Environments - Azure allows you to integrate and manage environments with services designed for a hybrid cloud.
• Customization - Azure gives you choices so you can build and deploy your environment how you want. This platform provides limitless scaling for apps, AI, and a range of language options.
• Continuous Improvements - Azure has added over 1,000 new capabilities in the last year. Teams can benefit from this innovation that works toward providing a better product.

Cons

Here are some of the downsides of using Azure:

• Complexity - For larger organizations, it’s easy for Azure to become complicated quickly. Because it’s a SaaS platform, managing an Azure environment without strict processes and in-house expertise is difficult. As a result, Azure may cost more time and resources than anticipated.
• Extra Fees - Azure services are subject to data transfer fees that can get costly quickly. Teams may struggle to plan and manage finances when they are constantly charged for data transfers.
• Customer Service - Because Azure is a large platform managing many complicated, hybrid cloud environments, getting quick answers to your issues may be difficult. This can create frustration if you’re dealing with a timely problem and don’t have in-house experts to resolve it.

DigitalOcean

What is DigitalOcean?

DigitalOcean is a scalable cloud computing services platform for small to midsize businesses. This service is designed to allow companies to scale themselves by deploying applications that run parallel on multiple cloud servers without hindering performance. DigitialOcean also allows users to choose data centers for their applications, droplet sizes, and geographical locations.

Why DigitalOcean?

So, why would a team choose DigitalOcean? Here are some features and benefits:

Pros

• Droplets - Droplets are Linux systems that run on virtual machines in the DigitalOcean system. Depending on their needs, teams can make unlimited droplets to use independently or as part of a larger cloud infrastructure.
• Customization - DigitalOcean is known for its range of operating systems teams can use to find what works best. Using DigitalOcean, organizations can customize storage, droplets, and more.

Cons

Here are some reasons why organizations don’t choose DigitalOcean:

• Better for Smaller Businesses - DigitalOcean can be a great option for small to mid-sized businesses looking to scale quickly but may not meet the demands of large companies. When compared to GCP and AWS, this platform offers far fewer services.
• Requires Expertise - DigitalOcean has a reputation for complexity, which makes it difficult for teams without in-house expertise to adapt to it.

Comparison: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud vs DigitalOcean

So how do these cloud services compare when it comes to computing resources, availability zones, and pricing?

• Computing Resources 

• • AWS - AWS offers computing services that include virtual machines, containers, serverless computing, and more.

• • GCP - GCP’s computing resources include many virtual machines, including custom machines, predefined machine types, memory-optimized machines, and so much more.

• • Azure - Azure provides the option to compute using Windows and Linux virtual machines in various cloud environments.

• • DigitalOcean - DigitalOcean allows teams to compute using droplets, Kubernetes, a PaaS environment, or serverless. 

• Availability Zones

• • AWS - 99
  • GCP - 106
  • Azure - At least 3 per region
  • DigitalOcean - 14

• Pricing - The pricing for each platform varies vastly between plans. For more pricing details, go to the AWS pricing calculator, Azure pricing calculator, GCP pricing calculator, or DigitalOcean pricing calculator.

Although each cloud platform has its benefits, the consistent performance and services Google Cloud offers are hard to beat. The GCP offers the chance for a true digital transformation that spans your entire business and enables every person to work smarter.

A recent study comparing the top 3 cloud providers (GCP, AWS, and Azure) showed that Google’s virtual machines have nearly 3x the network throughput of AWS and Azure. Throughput is the rate at which data processes and transfers between locations, and it’s a testament to how fast your business can work.

If you’ve decided to harness the advanced, powerful capabilities of the Google Cloud, partner with Promevo today. 

Why Promevo?

Promevo is a certified Google partner offering customized solutions to support your Google journey. Our professionals are cloud service experts and can design data warehousing, analytics, and business intelligence solutions. Let us help you develop your data strategy and select and implement the right technologies for your business.

In addition to cloud services, Promevo provides a range of other services, including Google Workspace assistance, ChromeOS device purchasing and management, and gPanel®️, our exclusive software developed to automate admin tasks and increase visibility within Google Workspace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DigitalOcean cheaper than GCP?

DigitalOcean and GCP pricing varies depending on the package. Learn more by visiting the DigitalOcean pricing calculator or GCP pricing calculator. 

Which cloud platform is best?

All cloud platforms have unique capabilities, and often the best option depends on the business, budget, needs, and long-term goals.