What's the Difference Between AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud?

Key takeaways

Cloud computing platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud enable people and organizations to access computer resources via the internet. 

• All three cloud providers, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, lead the cloud market, accounting for a 63 percent share [1].

• AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud operate in dozens of regions, each with distinct benefits.

• You can explore various cloud computing jobs, including platform-specific cloud developer positions, which correlate with high growth and salaries.

Explore key differences between AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.If you're preparing for a career transition into this in-demand field, consider earning credentials from an industry leader with the Microsoft Cloud Support Professional Certificate program. This beginner-friendly course series is designed to prepare you for an entry-level role specializing in the Azure platform in as little as siz months.

AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud market share and other differences

According to Synergy Research Group, the most popular platform-as-a-service (PaaS) providers (cloud computing platforms) are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, with a combined market share of 63 percent [1]. AWS is currently the largest commercial cloud computing provider, offering scalable storage, networking, server, mobile development, and cybersecurity solutions.

Microsoft Azure, its chief rival, provides some of the most scalable and efficient software solutions for enterprises, since many organizations already use Microsoft products like 365 or Power BI. Behind AWS, Azure has the largest data center network.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers high-end big data analytics solutions, machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, and easy interaction with other cloud-native applications like containers and Kubernetes.

Let's review more similarities and differences in detail.

What is AWS?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the biggest cloud computing platform of the three. It offers computer resources and services that can construct applications in minutes at pay-as-you-go prices. For example, you can rent a server on AWS to connect to, configure, protect, and run just like a physical server. The distinction is that the virtual server runs on top of an AWS-managed planet-scale network.

Background: AWS became public in 2006, with services like Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) and Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3). It has an extensive user base and higher levels of trust and reliability as one of the first cloud providers.

Region: AWS is divided into 39 geographic regions and 123 availability zones.

Notable users of Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Coursera

• Expedia

• Netflix

• BMW

• Pfizer

• Adidas

• Canva

• Formula 1

• Intuit

• Airbnb

• Lyft

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

• Coca Cola

What is Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a public cloud platform that provides infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions for analytics, virtual computing, storage, networking, and other services. It can enhance or replace your on-premise servers.

Background: Microsoft Azure, known initially as Azure, was established in 2010 to provide enterprises with a capable Cloud Computing platform. In 2014, Azure was renamed “Microsoft Azure,” though “Azure” is still widely used.

Region: Microsoft Azure operates in more than 70 regions, each with at least three availability zones.

Notable users of Microsoft Azure

• Bosch

• Audi

• ASOS

• HSBC

• Starbucks

• Walgreens

• 3M

• FedEx

• Walmart

• HP

• Mitsubishi Electric

• Renault

If you're considering specializing in Microsoft Azure to start or advance your career, set aside nine hours to introduce yourself to Azure Cloud Services with Microsoft experts:

What is Google Cloud?

Google Cloud Platform (GCP), often just called Google Cloud, was originally App Engine. It's a cloud computing services suite established by Google in 2008. GCP offers infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS) for businesses all around the world. GCP is primarily a service for developing and maintaining original applications that can then be published from its hyper-scale data centers. 

Background: GCP launched in 2008 and, in less than a decade, has established a strong foothold in the cloud business. Google Cloud strengthened Google's products, including its hugely popular search engine and its video-sharing platform, YouTube.

Region: Google Cloud Platform comprises 43 cloud regions and 130 zones.

Notable users of Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

• Toyota

• Equifax

• Nintendo

• Spotify

• Verizon

• Mattel

• The Home Depot

• Meta

• Target

• Uber

• Twitter (X)

• Paypal

• UPS

AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud services comparison

From compute services to pricing, here is what sets each platform apart [2, 3]:

Compute services

Compute is a term that describes how computers work. Connecting many nodes is simple for a good cloud provider. Here is a look at each platform's computational capabilities.

Hybrid and multi-cloud options

For most businesses, the optimal cloud option is a combination of public and private clouds. A hybrid cloud allows you to combine one or more public clouds with existing infrastructure and a private cloud. It’s essentially a mix of environments where you can run applications, making it a popular option among organizations that have already invested a lot of money into IT infrastructure.

An organization benefits by employing a mix of computing, storage, and services environments (on-premises infrastructure, private cloud services, and a public cloud). There is explicit coordination among the various platforms in the hybrid cloud.

AWS hybrid and multi-cloud

• Amazon ECS Anywhere

• AWS Snowball

• AWS Snowcone

• AWS Outposts

• AWS Local Zones

• VMware Cloud on AWS

• AWS Wavelength

• Amazon EKS Anywhere

Azure hybrid and multi-cloud

• Azure Arc

• Azure Backup

• Azure Entra ID (formerly Active Directory)

• Azure Security Center

• Azure Blob Storage

• Azure Stack

• Microsoft Sentinel (formerly Azure Sentinel)

Google Cloud hybrid and multi-cloud

• Anthos

• Traffic Director

• Looker

• Cloud Build

• Operations

• Cloud Run 

Pricing

All three systems provide users with competitive price plans and extra cost control features (reserved instances, budgets, and resource optimization). Several factors determine the cost of the cloud platform, including:

• Customer specifications

• Usage

• The services utilized

The following table compares the pricing structures of AWS, Azure, and GCP based on the machine type that each provides:

Key tools: AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud

The three cloud providers are currently in a state of high competitiveness. All three suppliers offer essential tools and services, and are likely to extend them in the future, based on current trends and customer wants.

AWS key tools

Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning: AWS released Gluon. This open-source deep-learning library allows developers and non-developers to build neural networks without prior knowledge of AI. DeepLens is an AI-powered camera that may create and implement machine learning algorithms for optical character recognition, image identification, and object recognition.

SageMaker to Serverless: SageMaker is another AWS service used to train and deploy machine learning models. It also includes the Lex conversational interface, enabling Alexa services, Greengrass IoT messaging, and Lambda serverless computing.

Azure key tools

Foundry Tools (Formerly Azure Cognitive Services): AI tools like Azure Content Understanding, Azure Speech, and Azure Translator are among the cognitive services available. Microsoft offers many IoT management and analytics services and functions, and a serverless computing solution.

Supporting MSFT Software: Azure includes several solutions that support Microsoft products installed on-premises. Windows Server Backup in Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 linked to Azure Backup. Visual Studio projects are hosted on Azure by Visual Studio Team Services.

Google Cloud key tools

IoT to Serverless: Google Cloud includes APIs for natural language, speech, translation, and other advanced technologies. It also offers IoT and serverless services. However, these are still beta versions.

Google for AI: Google Cloud is now the frontrunner in AI advancement. TensorFlow, an open-source software library for creating machine learning applications, deserves credit. Many developers love TensorFlow.

Read more: Cloud Data Security Dangers, Safeguards, and More

Benefits and considerations of AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud

When deciding which cloud computing platform to use, take into account some of the following benefits and considerations.

Amazon Web Services

Pros

• Provides most services, from networking to robots.

• Most mature

• Considered the best for reliability and security

• More computational capacity than Azure and GCP

Cons

• All major software providers that make their applications available on AWS Dev/Enterprise support must be paid.

• The sheer quantity of services and options available can be overwhelming for newbies.

• There are relatively few hybrid cloud alternatives.

Microsoft Azure

Pros

• Integration and migration of current Microsoft services are simple.

• Many options are accessible, including best-in-class AI, machine learning, and analytics services.

• Most services are less expensive when compared to AWS and GCP.

• There is a lot of support for hybrid cloud strategies.

Cons

• Fewer service choices compared to AWS

• Specifically designed for business customers

Google Cloud

Pros

• Works well with other Google services and products.

• Excellent containerized workload support

Con

• Limited services compared to AWS and Azure Limited support for enterprise use cases

Which cloud platform should I choose?

Every business has unique demands, and each service provider responds to those needs uniquely. A software developer, a financial institution, and an e-commerce company, for example, all use cloud services differently.

They are subject to distinct regulatory compliance obligations. Meanwhile, cloud service providers may offer similar services as any other business but frequently carve out their niche that works well for prospective buyers. Understanding how AWS, Azure, and GCP fit into your firm's larger cloud strategy goals may give you an advantage.

What are the career prospects for AWS, Azure, AND GCP cloud developers?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developer positions are expected to rise 15 percent by 2034, far faster than the typical occupation [4]. A recession will likely slow but not stop its growth. Programmers and developers are in demand, and cloud computing skills are appealing to current and potential employers.

• AWS cloud developer: $130,000 per year [5]

• Azure cloud developer: $152,000 per year [6]

• Google Cloud developer: $162,000 per year [7]

All salary data represents the total median salary, which combines base salary and bonuses, profit sharing, and all other forms of additional compensation.

Explore our free cloud computing and career resources

Keep pace with evolving trends and technologies with a subscription to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter. Then, consider check out out our additional resources:

• Watch on YouTube: Your Quick Guide to Cloud Computing

• Hear from a fellow learner: How One Software Developer’s LEadership Aspirations Led Her to Graduate School

• Find your path: Career Aptitude Quiz

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)