Azure vs GCP: Service and Pricing Comparison

Azure Platform and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) are undoubtedly two of the most prominent players in cloud computing. Both are easy to set up, flexible, scalable, and agile, transforming businesses like never before. But before just putting your finger on any of these cutting-edge solutions, you must remember that they need to align with your existing business models and should help boost your organizational goals. That, and they should help you supercharge your more extensive plans and justify the dollars you spend.

So, what is the marketing growth these two players are promising? What is the Azure vs GCP: price comparison? How do you choose the cloud provider which is good for your business? The blog answers all of them in great detail.

Let’s find out. 

Microsoft Azure Services 

Azure offers a variety of cloud storage options tailored to the needs of different businesses. Today, Azure records around 270,000 daily average users. For large companies with substantial data storage requirements, Azure presents top choices like Data Lake Storage and Queue Storage. Bulk storage is well-suited for organizations dealing with massive amounts of unstructured data. In contrast, File storage provides a dependable solution for most business needs.

Several factors, including the level of management, required capacity, and geographical location, influence Azure’s pricing structure. Additionally, Azure provides a free tier that includes perpetual free usage for specific models and free use of certain models during the initial 12 months.

Azure employs a pay-as-you-go pricing model. It also offers an alternative option known as “Reserved Instance” (upfront commitment), which requires a commitment of 1 or 3 years for many of its products. By opting for a Reserved Instance, users can benefit from substantial discounts of up to 72% on Azure services. Furthermore, Azure offers spot instances, allowing users to purchase virtual machines from Azure’s surplus capacity at a reduced cost.

The pay-as-you-go approach charges users per second, allowing them to start or stop services as needed and pay only for the resources used. In contrast, Reserved Instances are designed for continuous usage and are billed based on the entire month’s cost (730 hours). It’s important to note that the pay-as-you-go model also depends on an analysis of 730 hours, as determined by the pricing calculator.

When comparing the two models, namely, a 730-hour Reserved Instance versus a 730-hour pay-as-you-go plan, the Reserved Instance model appears more cost-effective, especially if you anticipate using Azure cloud services for a year or longer.

Microsoft Azure offers a wide array of services encompassing computing, networking, storage, and analytics. Consequently, the pricing model for Azure considers various factors, such as the required capacity, geographical location, service type, and management level. 

Google Cloud Services

In a relatively short period, Google Cloud has established itself as a formidable contender among the major players in the cloud services arena. Today, around 1,690,500+ companies use GCP. It distinguishes itself with its extensive IT expertise and in-house research capabilities. Google offers a wide range of hosted services, including PaaS and IaaS for computing, storage, and application development.

Regarding GCP compute pricing, Google provides multiple pricing models, including options like a free tier, long-term reservations, and pay-as-you-go pricing. Additionally, Google Cloud’s pricing is influenced by various factors, encompassing compute, SQL, network, storage, and serverless pricing. It’s crucial to thoroughly explore these components when selecting a pricing structure for your enterprise.

Also Read : Exploring the Google Cloud Console: A Comprehensive Guide

Google Cloud’s pricing scheme extends a generous USD 300 credit to its customers, which they can utilize towards various Google Cloud products. Moreover, users have the opportunity to leverage a variety of free products, including computing, storage, databases, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence – some of the most widely used services in the current cloud market.

Furthermore, this US tech giant offers significant discounts for products committed to a specific usage level for one or three years in advance, a concept referred to as “committed use.“

Google Cloud pricing introduces a unique option for its users known as “Sustained Use discounts.” This feature is automatically applied on a sliding scale, taking into account the percentage of service usage throughout the month. Users can even combine non-overlapping instances while enjoying the benefits of a percentage discount, up to the maximum level, without requiring any prepayments or commitments.

Azure vs GCP: How do they differ in terms of services

To get complete clarity on how these two leading cloud computing platforms are wired differently, here’s a detailed breakdown of the services Azure and GCP offer. 

Azure vs GCP: Compute Services

Azure vs GCP: Storage Services

Azure vs GCP: Networking 

Azure services not only provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions but also take the lead in the realm of PaaS. With its strong focus on empowering developers and fostering innovation, it emerges as the natural choice, not just for the Microsoft technology stack but also for those seeking extensive support for Linux. This dynamic platform seamlessly caters to a wide range of needs, making it a versatile and attractive option for businesses and developers alike.

On the other hand, GCP services deliver exceptional services, excelling in both Database as a Service and Infrastructure as a Service. What sets it apart is its cutting-edge hybrid and multi-cloud platform, Google Anthos, which leads the way in harnessing the true potential of cloud technology. Moreover, it offers robust support for containers and Kubernetes, making it the go-to choice for those looking to embrace the future of cloud computing with confidence. 

Azure vs GCP: Price Comparison

Before we dive into the price comparison, here are a few things you must note down. 

Microsoft Azure’s pricing structure offers substantial advantages for users willing to commit to 1-3 years of reserved VM instances, providing them with significant discounts. Those running Microsoft software on-premises can enjoy an Azure Hybrid Benefit discount of up to 40%. Furthermore, Visual Studio users can access substantial discounts for developing and testing Azure instances. Additionally, customers with a Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) can leverage even more deals for cloud computing services. Azure further entices potential users with a free tier, minimal benefits, 12 months of popular services, and a $200 credit to experiment with any other paid service.

On the other hand, Google Cloud’s pricing structure comes with enticing features. Users who utilize the same instance for most of a month can unlock a substantial, sustained use discount of up to 30%. For tasks that don’t demand high availability and can be paused and resumed, Preemptible VM Instances offer remarkable discounts of up to 80%. Moreover, making a long-term commitment to VM usage, akin to Azure’s reserved VMs, grants discounts of up to 57%. Google Cloud provides a free tier with essential, always-free services and a generous $300 credit to explore additional offerings.

Azure vs GCP: What to choose? 

When choosing between Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for your business, consider these key factors:

• Workload and Use Case: Think about your specific needs. If you heavily use Microsoft technologies, go for Azure. If you need data analytics and machine learning, GCP might be better.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Check how well the cloud provider integrates with your IT setup. If you are already invested in Microsoft tools, Azure may be smoother.
• Service Offerings: Compare the services they offer and make sure they align with your requirements.
• Support and SLAs: Evaluate the level of support and service level agreements. This is vital for mission-critical applications.
• Security and Compliance: Both offer good protection, but check for specific features and certifications related to your industry.
• Vendor Lock-In: Watch out for vendor lock-in. Plan for flexibility and avoid getting tied to one provider.
• Ease of Use and Learning Curve: Consider your team’s familiarity with a platform. A familiar platform can save time and resources.
• Case Studies and References: Look for businesses like yours that have succeeded with the platform. Their experiences can be insightful.

Summary

Hope this blog helps you understand Azure and GCP in detail and get a holistic view of Azure vs GCP: price comparison. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Analyze your unique business needs, consult with your team, and consider a proof-of-concept to make an informed choice. Some companies even use both Azure services and GCP services for different tasks to leverage their respective strengths.

To help your employees upskill and manage Azure and GCP seamlessly, Whizlabs brings a range of Azure and GCP training programs. They are specifically designed by industrial leaders and offer video lectures, hands-on labs for practical sessions, sandboxes for experiments, and practice papers to qualify for the certifications with ease.

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About Karthikeyani Velusamy

Karthikeyani is an accomplished Technical Content Writer with 3 years of experience in the field where she holds Bachelor's degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering. She is well-versed in core skills such as creative writing, web publications, portfolio creation for articles. Committed to delivering quality work that meets deadlines, she is dedicated to achieving exemplary standards in all her writing projects. With her creative skills and technical understanding, she is able to create engaging and informative content that resonates with her audience.

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