Comparing AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud: What's the Difference?

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A man is working on a server in a data center.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google Cloud are the three leading cloud providers, each run by one of the world’s leading technology companies.

Each product has distinct features and functionality that provide attractive advantages for companies looking for a cloud computing solution.

What Do AWS, Azure, & Google Cloud Each Offer?

Each of the solutions offers clients options for hosting data, operating systems, and apps in an off-premises space. The solutions allow for scalable options for storing large amounts of data, accessing that data from multiple devices, and supporting multiple simultaneous users all in a secure server space (data center).

Clients can add capacity and rely on the providers for maintenance, upgrades, and management of the infrastructure. Below we help define and understand the differences among Amazon Web Services vs Google Cloud vs Azure.

What Does AWS Offer?

AWS stands for Amazon Web Services and was introduced in 2008. It is the largest provider of cloud services.

Its services have evolved from being primarily an internal cloud platform to a publicly available platform. Today, AWS includes more than 200 services, including S3 cloud storage and EC2 elastic compute cloud.

AWS provides services for developers, enterprises, small businesses, and government agencies.

Its virtual server options allow users to rent space to configure, manage, and run operations just like on a physical server.

What Can Azure Offer?

Microsoft Azure is the world’s second-largest cloud platform. It is designed to provide robust support and hosting for Microsoft-focused or ----centric enterprises. Most of the Fortune 500 companies today use Azure.

Azure supports Windows-based services and other operating systems as well. It is also known for its support of open-source technologies, platforms, and languages.

First launched in 2010, Azure provides strong solutions for analytics, networking, storage, and virtual computing.

What Does Google Cloud Offer?

Started in 2011, the Google Cloud Platform is the smallest of the Big 3 but the fastest-growing solution. It also offers more than 200 services but has fewer data centers than its two main competitors.

Google Cloud Platform is known for its services to support organizations that develop and maintain their own applications which can then be published from the GCP servers. Its other core services include big data, computing, and networking.

Key Differences Between AWS, Azure, & Google Cloud

While there are many similarities among the three platforms, there are distinct differences.

Computing Power and Performance

The functional focus drives the type of computing capabilities of each platform:

AWS. Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) manages its computing capabilities, overseeing virtual machines that can either be designed by the owner or pre-configured for convenience.
Azure. With Microsoft’s solution, clients can create virtual machines and scale sets used by those machines.
GCP. Google’s options operate similarly to Azure’s but provide stronger support for certain computing types, including container and Kubernetes functionality.

Storage and Data Management

AWS. Amazon has an extensive global network of more than 200 data centers on five continents, with a significant presence in northern Virginia, Oregon, and Frankfort. This network allows for resources to be deployed closer to end users.
Azure. Microsoft also has a large global data center network in more regions than its two rivals, including a major presence in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Google Cloud. While Google has fewer data centers, it still has global reach.

A man is working on a laptop in a server room.

Network and Content Delivery

AWS. Amazon is known for its extensive array of data centers, which boosts performance and reduces latency.
Azure. Azure is integrated with Microsoft’s infrastructure backbone, providing high-speed data transfer and low-latency
GCP. Its data centers are known for high performance and expertise in network optimization, meaning faster data transfers and low latency.

What Are the Price Differences for AWS, Azure & Google Cloud

There are extensive differences in the pricing structures for the three major cloud options.

Each uses a pay-as-you-go option with different levels and types. Companies that are seeking a cloud solution must also consider the storage costs, data transfer expenses, and discounts available. Here are some notable features of each.

AWS

Amazon offers multiple instance types that vary by performance and capacity.
Storage is based on capacity and access to core functionality
Data received (ingress) costs are generally free while data sent (egress) costs are based on volume and region, but typically run $0.05 to $0.10 per GB
Discounts are available through reserved instances and upfront payment plans

Azure

Instance families are used to optimize for different workloads
Storage costs are based on capacity and usage
Ingress is generally free with egress priced on data volume and region
Reserved instances and volume discounts are available

GCP

Offers predefined and custom machine-type plans
Storage costs are based on capacity and access frequency
Data transfer costs are based on volume
Discounts are provided for upfront commitments of 1-3 years

Choosing the Right Cloud Provider for Your Business Needs

What cloud solution you need is often based on your business type.

For Startups

Cost is often a major driver for startups, which often have less cash to commit to technology. In all cases, having a platform that scales easily, is secure, and is reliable are core determinants.

For Businesses with Larger-Scale Operations

For larger businesses, functionality becomes essential, with larger complex business processes often operating on the cloud platform. Scalability, security, and customer support are key factors for larger enterprise business needs.

Industry-Specific Considerations

Your industry may have needs or expectations that your cloud solution should follow.

In many tightly regulated industries, for example, regulatory mandates become essential. Financial institutions, healthcare companies government agencies, and contractors may need to comply with strict guidance around their cloud storage and security tools.

Other industries, due to competitive pressures, may require certain infrastructure configurations, service-level agreement expectations, and security configurations to be compliant and competitive.

How ConsultNet Can Help You Navigate Cloud Solutions

ConsultNet is a leading provider of cloud computing solutions as part of a comprehensive managed IT framework.

At ConsultNet, we advise clients on their cloud needs based on a comprehensive initial assessment of your technology. We lead in the migration, deployment, configuration, optimization, and security of your cloud solution.

With ConsultNet, we can help compare AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud and ensure your data in the cloud will be secure, accessible, and scalable. To learn more, contact us today.

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