The Great Cloud Duel of 2023: Google Cloud vs. AWS Compared 

Discover the steps to decide between Google Cloud and AWS for your software development and engineering team, streamlining your operational processes.

Today we will conduct a detailed comparison between Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services (AWS), in an attempt to make decisions easier for Healthcare Cloud prospective users. Both platforms provide many benefits; choosing one over another ultimately depends on your unique business requirements.

Both platforms offer numerous advantages, but the choice that suits you best will depend on your specific business needs. So let’s dive into!

What are the Google Cloud Platform and Amazon Web Services? 

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a nimble cloud computing service built upon Google’s infrastructure that offers various pay-as-you-go services for various industries and purposes. There are two versions: standard (public) and enterprise (private), as well as managed service for businesses. GCP supports diverse application types and provides tools for effective application management and optimization.

Sustainability Commitment: Google Cloud is committed to sustainability and announced that it will operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030. They have already achieved 100% renewable energy for their operations.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon’s cloud computing platform, encompassing an expansive selection of computing, storage, networking, big data processing and machine learning capabilities as well as security tools. Furthermore, AWS also offers developer tools such as API management serverless computing and business intelligence for developers and API management capabilities to enhance application services and developer tools for API management, serverless computing. AWS empowers businesses to create diverse applications with flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency while offering monitoring and management capabilities for resources. 

Government and Security: Amazon Web Services has long held an excellent presence within government and security-oriented entities such as the Department of Defense and CIA. AWS also holds several compliance certifications that make them the go-to solution for organizations with stringent security standards and compliance mandates.

Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform: How They Differ

AWS and GCP, distinct in their offerings, cater to different needs. AWS boasts a vast ecosystem and extensive service portfolio, ideal for enterprises seeking comprehensive cloud solutions. GCP, on the other hand, shines in data analytics and machine learning, making it a favorite among data-driven businesses. The choice hinges on the specific demands of your project, with AWS’s breadth and GCP’s specialization steering the decision.

PRICING 

GCP introduces per-minute billing, while AWS adheres to hourly charges. Notably, GCP grants the option of Sustained Use Discounts, potentially slicing bills by 30%, or Preemptible VMs for a colossal 70% reduction in compute costs.

GCP employs a monthly committed use model, while AWS follows a pay-as-you-go approach. In the AWS vs. Google Cloud pricing showdown, the choice ultimately rests on your inclinations and capabilities.

COMPUTING SERVICES

GCP provides Google App Engine for web apps, Google Compute Engine for virtual machines, and Google Kubernetes Engine for container management. 

AWS offers Amazon EC2 for virtual machines, Amazon EC2 Container Service for containers, and AWS Lambda for serverless computing, simplifying code execution without server management.

For example, in healthcare, GCP’s Google Kubernetes Engine can be used to efficiently manage and deploy containerized healthcare applications, ensuring scalability and flexibility. Conversely, AWS’s Amazon EC2 Container Service might be preferred for its robust virtual machine capabilities, suitable for data-intensive medical research projects.

NETWORKING 

Both GCP and AWS have strong networking features. GCP offers Cloud DNS, Cloud VPN, and Cloud Load Balancing, while AWS boasts Amazon Route 53, Amazon VPC, and AWS Direct Connect. However, your choice should align with specific needs. For instance, Google’s load balancing excels in speed, handling 0-1 million requests per second without pre-warming, while AWS’s elastic load balancing automatically scales to match requirements. 

STORAGE 

Storage features and services in both GCP and AWS offer convenience. GCP provides Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, and Cloud Spanner, while AWS offers Amazon S3, Amazon Glacier, and Amazon EBS. Google takes the lead, particularly in AI and big data, with Cloud Spanner handling up to two billion queries per second at peak and Bigtable processing over five billion requests. BigQuery manages data beyond petabytes, and Vertex AI excels in big data analytics, requiring 80% less code for machine learning models. If you seek robust big data and analytics capabilities, GCP emerges as the top choice for storage services.

DATABASE 

GCP and AWS each offer unique strengths. GCP features Cloud SQL, Cloud Datastore, and Cloud Bigtable. Meanwhile, AWS presents Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon SimpleDB, and Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS). 

Your choice should align with your specific database requirements, like data security, compliance with healthcare regulations (e.g., HIPAA), and the scalability needed for electronic health records (EHRs) and patient data management. 

GCP’s Cloud SQL and Cloud Bigtable may be advantageous for complex data analysis, while AWS’s Amazon RDS can offer ease of management for relational databases. Be ready to consult with cloud experts to ensure compliance and optimal performance.

SECURITY 

Here both GCP and AWS excel:

GCP offers IAM for access control, KMS for key management, CSS for vulnerability scanning, Google Cloud Armor for web attack protection, and Identity-Aware Proxy for user verification.

AWS features IAM for resource access control, CloudWatch for monitoring, and Elastic Beanstalk for application management.

GCP’s advanced security features make it a preferred choice for many. It seamlessly integrates with Google’s security products and offers compliance tools for data security regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Partner with a Trusted Developer

Choosing between Google Cloud and AWS depends on your business needs. Collaborating with a skilled cloud engineer who understands your specific priorities and business goals can significantly contribute to making an informed choice. Moreover, embracing DevOps practices can play a pivotal role because DevOps Helps a Business streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and drive innovation. 

ZenBit, a Ukrainian software development company, specializes in assisting clients worldwide by providing swift and cost-effective solutions to scale their business. Contact us today for expert assistance in your cloud infrastructure.

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