Have you ever wondered what the differences between the cloud goliaths are?
In this article we will jump into some history, the services and structures of each. and some simple advice on using them.
First up is AWS
AWS:
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the one of the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. AWS has by far the largest market share of customers utilizing their services.
AWS launched in 2006 when it started offering IT infrastructure or cloud computing to businesses.
Check out this video to dive a little deeper:
Next up we have Azure:
Microsoft Azure, often referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing platform run by Microsoft. Just like AWS it offers access, management, and the development of applications and services through global data centers.
Azure also offers more than 200 product to chose from when building out your solutions.
Microsoft Azure launched in 2010 and is has the 2nd highest market share of customers today.
Check out this video to dive a little deeper:
Last but not least we have the household name that everyone knows…
Google:
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a suite of cloud computing services that provides a series of modular cloud services including computing, data storage, data analytics, and machine learning, alongside a set of management tools.
GCP also offers hundred of different cloud solutions to fit the needs of big and small endeavors alike.
GCP launched in 2008 and is ranked as the 3rd largest cloud platform by market share.
Check out this video to dive a little deeper:
If you actually visited every launch page, and watched every video synopsis you may have noticed a pattern…
THEY ALL DO the same things!
I know as developers and cloud engineers we typically get used to the platform we learned on and never look back especially if your employer mandates a certain provider.
I employ anyone who may be feeling a lack of confidence on applying your skillset within a different cloud platform to just try it out.
I started with AWS, but found Google and Azure to be just as intuitive.
I was able to play around with VM’s on GCP’s & Azure’s platform.
Go try!
I am technically still using the free tiers on every platform, but I did notice that with GCP, & Azure the billing methods lets you explore and build what if scenarios, where as AWS can be a bit of a guessing game.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between AWS, Azure, and GCP depends heavily on your project requirements, existing skills, and sometimes even personal preference. Let’s break it down:
- AWS: If you need a robust platform with a mature ecosystem and a vast array of services, AWS is often the go-to choice. It’s ideal for large enterprises or startups that plan to scale rapidly. AWS also has a vibrant marketplace of third-party services and a large community, which means support and resources are easy to find.
- Azure: If you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem or need to integrate with tools like Office 365, SharePoint, or Windows Server, Azure is a natural choice. Its hybrid cloud capabilities are a major advantage if you’re running on-premises data centers alongside cloud environments. Azure also has strong support for enterprise applications like SAP, making it appealing for businesses running traditional workloads.
- Google Cloud (GCP): GCP shines when it comes to data analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. If your focus is on big data, AI/ML models, or working with containers (think Kubernetes), GCP is the leading contender. Google’s history in managing global-scale systems means they have a strong reputation for cutting-edge tech innovation.
Cost Considerations
One key point to consider is the cost structure. Each cloud provider has a different pricing model, and it’s easy to get lost in the complexity of billing. AWS, while comprehensive, sometimes presents challenges in predicting costs, particularly with unexpected charges. On the other hand, GCP and Azure provide more transparent and predictable billing, allowing you to model costs more accurately before deploying services. This makes Azure and GCP more approachable for small businesses or personal projects.
The Importance of Multicloud
In today’s tech world, many organizations are adopting a multicloud strategy—leveraging services from more than one cloud provider. This allows businesses to benefit from the strengths of different platforms while avoiding vendor lock-in. For example, you might use AWS for its strong infrastructure, GCP for machine learning, and Azure for enterprise app integration. The key is to align your business needs with the strengths of each provider.