Assalamu‘alaikum wr. wb.
Hello guys! Cloud Computing is currently in great demand in the Industrial and Business world. And it is very helpful when doing any work. For that, a Cloud Service is needed, such as Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This time, we will compare the three Cloud Services.
Article Sources : Digitalocean.com, BMC.com (Blogs), Cloudfresh.com (Blog), Coursera.org, and Berca.co.id
DEFINITION AND OVERVIEW
AWS, Azure, and GCP are the largest cloud providers today, but each has nuances and backgrounds. Here’s some basic information about each provider before we get into the specifics of how they differ :
1. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure ranks as the second-largest cloud platform. Launched in 2010, Azure has grown into a platform offering over 200 products and services and is currently one of the fastest-growing cloud platforms.
Microsoft designed Azure to offer a broad range of services, particularly beneficial for enterprises that primarily use Microsoft products, facilitating a seamless transition to cloud or hybrid-cloud environments for many organizations. Over 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Microsoft Azure, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness for enterprise users.
Moreover, Azure isn't limited to Windows-based services. It also supports open-source languages, technologies, and platforms, allowing users the flexibility to develop and maintain any application.
These are the Companies/Agencies/Institutions that use Microsoft Azure :
- Bosch
- Audi
- ASOS
- HSBC
- Starbucks
- Walgreens
- 3M
- FedEx
- Walmart
- HP
- Mitsubishi Electric
- Renault
2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is the cloud service provided by Google and falls under the larger Google Cloud umbrella.
Publicly available since 2010, GCP offers over 100 services covering areas such as computing, networking, and big data. Today, GCP includes services like Google Workspace, enterprise Android, and Chrome OS.
Although GCP is the smallest among the Big 3 cloud providers when compared to AWS and Azure, it still delivers a comprehensive suite of cloud services capable of supporting and powering a wide range of applications.
These are the Companies/Agencies/Institutions that use Google Cloud :
- Toyota
- Equifax
- Nintendo
- Spotify
- The Home Depot
- Target
- X/Twitter
- PayPal
- UPS
3. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., currently leads the market in cloud computing platforms. AWS is a highly developed cloud platform that provides a wide array of services suitable for individual developers, large corporations, and even governmental bodies.
Initially, AWS was created as an internal cloud solution. By 2006, it had expanded into a public cloud platform, offering services such as Amazon S3 cloud storage and Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2). Today, AWS provides over 200 fully developed services to meet various needs, serving millions of users worldwide.
These are the Companies/Agencies/Institutions that use AWS :
- Coursera
- Expedia
- Netflix
- Coinbase
- Formula 1
- Intuit
- Airbnb
- Lyft
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Coca Cola
COMPARISONS
Here are some comparisons of the three cloud services such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and AWS.
A. Google Cloud (GCP)
Below are some features of Google Cloud (GCP) :
1. Product Offerings
GCP menyediakan sumber daya komputasi melalui Google Compute Engine, menawarkan instance VM yang dapat disesuaikan.
Google Compute Engine menyediakan jenis mesin yang telah ditentukan sebelumnya dan jenis mesin kustom, memungkinkan pengguna untuk menyesuaikan sumber daya sesuai dengan kebutuhan mereka.
Untuk komputasi tanpa server, GCP menawarkan Google Cloud Functions, memungkinkan pengembang menjalankan fungsi berbasis peristiwa tanpa mengelola server.
2. Data Centers
Pusat data GCP secara strategis terletak di berbagai wilayah di seluruh dunia, mencakup Amerika Utara, Eropa, Asia, Australia, dan Amerika Selatan.
Meskipun GCP memiliki jumlah pusat data yang lebih kecil dibandingkan AWS dan Azure, mereka dikenal karena infrastruktur jaringan global berkinerja tinggi.
Keahlian Google dalam optimalisasi jaringan memastikan transfer data cepat dan koneksi latensi rendah, menjadikan GCP pilihan yang disukai untuk aplikasi yang sensitif terhadap latensi.
3. Pricing
GCP menggunakan model bayar sesuai penggunaan dengan jenis mesin yang telah ditentukan dan kustom.
Biaya penyimpanan didasarkan pada kapasitas dan frekuensi akses untuk Google Cloud Storage dan Google Persistent Disk.
Biaya transfer data bervariasi berdasarkan jumlah data yang dikirim dan diterima.
Diskon tersedia melalui Committed Use Contracts dengan komitmen di muka untuk satu atau tiga tahun.
Tiga tingkatan dukungan yang tersedia - Basic, Development, dan Production, dengan tingkat cakupan dukungan dan waktu respons yang berbeda.
4. Use Cases
Keahlian dalam data dan analitik: Google Cloud Platform unggul dalam manajemen data dan analitik, menjadikannya pilihan yang baik untuk bisnis yang bergantung pada pemrosesan data besar dan pembelajaran mesin.
Kepiawaian dalam Kubernetes: Keahlian Google dalam Kubernetes dan containerization menarik bagi perusahaan yang ingin menerapkan aplikasi berbasis kontainer.
Performa dan jaringan: Jaringan global berkinerja tinggi dari Google Cloud Platform membantu memastikan latensi rendah dan transfer data cepat, membuatnya cocok untuk aplikasi yang memerlukan waktu respons cepat.
B. Microsoft Azure
Below are some features of Microsoft Azure :
1. Product Offerings
Azure menawarkan sumber daya komputasi serupa dengan layanan Mesin Virtual (VMs), menyediakan lingkungan komputasi virtual yang dapat diskalakan dan fleksibel.
Mesin Virtual Azure menawarkan berbagai ukuran instance untuk memenuhi berbagai persyaratan beban kerja, termasuk yang dioptimalkan untuk memori, komputasi, dan penyimpanan.
Selain itu, Azure menyediakan Azure Functions untuk komputasi tanpa server, memungkinkan pengembang menjalankan fungsi berbasis peristiwa tanpa perlu khawatir tentang infrastruktur yang mendasarinya.
2. Data Centers
Azure memiliki jaringan pusat data yang luas di seluruh dunia, menawarkan layanan di lebih banyak wilayah dibandingkan AWS dan GCP.
Microsoft terus memperluas jejak pusat data mereka, dengan kehadiran yang kuat di Amerika Utara, Eropa, Asia, dan Australia.
Pusat data Azure terintegrasi dengan tulang punggung jaringan Microsoft yang luas, memastikan transfer data berkecepatan tinggi dan konektivitas latensi rendah.
3. Pricing
Azure menggunakan model bayar sesuai penggunaan dan menawarkan Reserved VM Instances untuk penghematan biaya.
Keluarga instance dioptimalkan untuk beban kerja yang berbeda.
Biaya penyimpanan didasarkan pada kapasitas dan penggunaan untuk Azure Blob Storage dan Azure Disk Storage.
Umumnya menawarkan ingress gratis, sementara biaya egress diterapkan berdasarkan volume data dan wilayah.
Diskon volume melalui Azure Hybrid Benefit untuk pelanggan dengan lisensi yang ada.
4. Kasus Penggunaan
Integrasi dengan ekosistem Microsoft: Untuk organisasi yang berinvestasi dalam produk Microsoft, Azure menawarkan integrasi yang mulus, memungkinkan penerapan cloud hybrid dan migrasi yang lancar. Azure juga menawarkan mesin virtual berbasis Windows, yang tidak semua penyedia cloud tawarkan.
Solusi cloud hybrid: Azure adalah pilihan yang disukai untuk bisnis dengan infrastruktur lokal, menawarkan kemampuan layanan komputasi cloud hybrid yang kuat.
Penekanan kuat pada keamanan: Dengan fokus pada kepatuhan dan fitur keamanan, Azure cocok untuk industri dengan regulasi data yang ketat.
C. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Below are some features of Amazon Web Services (AWS) :
1. Product Offerings
AWS menyediakan berbagai sumber daya komputasi, termasuk Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud), yang menawarkan cloud pribadi virtual yang dapat diskalakan untuk berbagai penggunaan.
EC2 menyediakan berbagai jenis instance, masing-masing dioptimalkan untuk beban kerja tertentu seperti penggunaan umum, intensif memori, dan instance bertenaga GPU.
AWS juga menawarkan komputasi tanpa server dengan AWS Lambda, memungkinkan pengembang menjalankan kode tanpa perlu menyusun atau mengelola server.
2. Data Centers
AWS mengoperasikan jaringan global yang luas dengan lebih dari 200 pusat data yang tersebar di berbagai wilayah geografis, mencakup Amerika Utara, Eropa, Asia, Australia, dan Amerika Selatan.
Mereka memiliki jumlah pusat data terbesar di antara tiga penyedia cloud hiperskala, dengan kehadiran signifikan di wilayah seperti Virginia Utara, Oregon, dan Frankfurt.
Infrastruktur pusat data AWS yang luas memungkinkan bisnis untuk mengerahkan sumber daya lebih dekat ke pengguna akhir, mengurangi latensi dan meningkatkan kinerja.
3. Pricing
AWS menawarkan model bayar sesuai penggunaan dengan fleksibilitas dan kontrol biaya.
Menawarkan berbagai jenis instance dengan harga yang berbeda berdasarkan kinerja dan kapasitas.
Biaya penyimpanan didasarkan pada kapasitas dan pola akses untuk layanan seperti Amazon S3 dan Amazon EBS.
Ingress (data yang diterima) biasanya gratis, sementara egress (data yang dikirim) bervariasi berdasarkan volume dan wilayah, tetapi biasanya berkisar antara $0,05 hingga $0,09 per GB di berbagai antarmuka jaringan dan rencana harga.
Diskon tersedia melalui Reserved Instances dan AWS Savings Plans dengan pembayaran di muka.
4. Use Cases
Jangkauan global dan skalabilitas: AWS merupakan pilihan yang sangat baik untuk bisnis yang membutuhkan kehadiran global yang besar dan skalabilitas, berkat jaringan pusat data yang luas di seluruh dunia.
Beragam layanan: Dengan berbagai layanan yang sangat luas, AWS melayani berbagai kasus penggunaan, termasuk hosting web, AI, analitik, IoT, dan lainnya.
Ekosistem yang matang: Basis pelanggan yang mapan dan dukungan komunitas yang luas membuat AWS cocok untuk banyak pengguna, terutama perusahaan besar.
COMPARISON OF TABLES AND FIGURES
AWS and Azure have the largest service catalogs, offering over 200 services. GCP currently offers around 100+ services. Here's a general breakdown of the services :
- AWS has the largest service catalog.
- Azure ranks second with impressive AI, ML, and analytics services.
- Google Cloud Platform ranks third in the number of services offered.
In this section, let's look at the common service offerings from each cloud platform.
A. Services
1. Compute Services
SERVICE | AWS | AZURE | GCP |
VM (Compute Instance) | EC2 (Elastic Compute) | Azure Virtual Machine | Google Compute Engine |
PaaS | AWS Elastic Beanstalk | App Service | Google App Engine |
Container | AWS Elastic Container / Kubernetes Service | Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) | Google Kubernetes Engine |
Serverless Functions | AWS Lambda | Azure Function | Google Cloud Functions |
2. Database & Storage Services
SERVICE | AWS | AZURE | GCP |
RDBMS (Multiple Database Types – SQL, MySQL, etc..) | AWS RDS | Azure SQL/ Database for MySQL/PostgreSQL | Cloud SQL |
NoSQL | DynamoDB, Simple DB | Azure Cosmos DB, Table Storage | BigTable, Cloud Datastore |
Object Storage | S3 (Simple Storage Service) | Blob Storage | Google Cloud Storage |
File Storage | Elastic File System | Azure File Storage | Google Filestore |
Archive Storage | Amazon Glacier | Azure Archive Storage | Google Storage (Archive Storage) |
Data Warehouse / Data Lake | Amazon Redshift | Azure Synapse Analytics | Google BigQuery |
3. Networking
SERVICE | AWS | AZURE | GCP |
Virtual Network | Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) | Virtual Network (Vnet) | Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) |
Load Balancing | Elastic Load Balancer | Azure Load Balancer | Google Cloud Load Balancing |
Firewall | AWS Firewall / Web Application Firewall | Azure Firewall | Google Cloud Firewalls |
DNS | Route 53 | Azure DNS | Google Cloud DNS |
CDN | Amazon CloudFront | Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN) | Cloud CDN |
As you can see, all three service providers offer comparable services to meet the general computing needs of users. However, there are fundamental differences in two general categories :
- How each service is implemented within its respective cloud platform.
- The individual features are available for each service.
4. Special Services
Regarding specialized services, we see significant differences in the offerings available with AWS and Azure, which go far beyond GCP.
SERVICE | AWS | AZURE | GCP |
DevOps | CodePipeline, CodeBuild, CodeDeploy, CodeStar | Azure Boards, Pipelines, Repos, Test Plans, Artifacts | GCP DevOps CloudBuild, Artifact Registry |
AI & ML | Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, Amazon Lex, Amazon Polly | Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks, Azure Cognitive Search, Azure Bot Service, Cognitive Services | Vertex AI, AutoML, Dataflow CX, Cloud Vision, Virtual Agents |
IoT | FreeRTOS, IoT Core, Greengrass, IoT Analytics, SiteWise | Azure IoT Hub/Central, IoT Edge, Azure Sphere, Azure RTOS | Google Cloud IoT Core |
AR & VR | Amazon Sumerian | Azure Mixed Reality (Spatial Anchors/Remote Rendering) | ARCore |
Game Development | Amazon GameLift | Azure PlayFab | - |
Business Analytics | Amazon Quicksight | Azure Power BI | Looker Studio |
End-User Computing | Amazon Workspaces | Azure Virtual Desktop | - |
Robotics | AWS RoboMaker | - | - |
B. Advantages & Disadvantages (Pro & Cons)
The following are the Advantages and Disadvantages (Pros and Cons) of the Three Cloud Services such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and AWS.
1. Microsoft Azure
Pros |
Cons |
Extensive
Integration with Microsoft Products |
Pricing
Complexity |
Seamless
integration with Microsoft products such as Windows Server, Active Directory,
and Office 365. |
The complex pricing structure can be difficult to understand and predict without
careful planning. |
Hybrid Cloud
Capabilities |
Learning
Curve |
Strong
support for hybrid cloud environments, allowing integration of on-premises
infrastructure with the cloud. |
It can be
complex to learn and manage, especially for users not familiar with
Microsoft's ecosystem. |
Global Reach |
Support Costs |
A large number
of data centers worldwide, ensure low latency and high availability. |
Premium
support plans can be costly compared to some other cloud providers. |
Comprehensive
Compliance Offerings |
Service
Availability in Regions |
Extensive
range of compliance certifications and a focus on regulatory requirements. |
Some services
might not be available in all regions, potentially limiting deployment
options. |
Enterprise-Grade
Solutions |
Management
Tools |
Offers a wide
range of enterprise-grade solutions including AI, analytics, and IoT. |
Management
tools can be complex and may require specialized knowledge. |
Advanced
Analytics and AI Services |
Performance
Variability |
Provides
robust analytics and AI services such as Azure Machine Learning and Azure
Synapse Analytics. |
Performance
can vary depending on the specific service and region. |
Developer
Tools and DevOps Integration |
Documentation
Quality |
Excellent
integration with developer tools and DevOps services, including Visual Studio
and GitHub. |
While
improving, some users find Azure's documentation less comprehensive compared
to AWS. |
Security
Features |
Feature
Maturity |
Strong
security features, including advanced threat detection and identity
management. |
Certain newer
services might not be as mature as similar offerings from AWS. |
Flexible
Pricing Options |
Service
Outages |
Offers
various pricing models, including pay-as-you-go and reserved instances,
providing cost flexibility. |
Like any
cloud service, Azure is not immune to occasional service outages. |
Rich
Ecosystem and Marketplace |
Resource
Management |
Extensive
ecosystem and marketplace for third-party applications and services. |
Managing
resources and costs effectively requires careful planning and monitoring. |
2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Pros |
Cons |
Global
Network |
Pricing
Complexity |
GCP has a
robust global network, ensuring low-latency connections and high
availability. |
The pricing
structure can be complex and hard to predict without careful planning. |
Advanced Data
and Analytics Services |
Learning
Curve |
Offers
advanced services like BigQuery for data analytics and AI/ML services with
Vertex AI. |
The platform
can be complex to learn, especially for beginners. |
Strong
Security |
Support Costs |
GCP provides
strong security features, including encryption, IAM, and compliance
certifications. |
Dedicated
support can be costly compared to some competitors. |
Scalability |
Service
Availability |
GCP offers
excellent scalability options, allowing businesses to grow without worrying
about infrastructure. |
Not all
services are available in every region, which can be a limitation for some
global businesses. |
Innovative
AI/ML Capabilities |
Market Share |
Leading in AI
and ML services, providing tools like TensorFlow and advanced APIs. |
GCP has a
smaller market share compared to AWS and Azure, which might affect community
support and resources. |
Flexible
Pricing Models |
Ecosystem
Integration |
Offers
flexible pricing models including sustained use discounts and committed use
contracts. |
Integration
with non-Google ecosystems might require additional tools and management. |
Kubernetes
and Container Support |
Service
Maturity |
Strong
support for Kubernetes (GKE) and containerized applications. |
Some services
are newer and might not be as mature as similar offerings from AWS and Azure. |
Comprehensive
Free Tier |
Feature Set |
Offers a
comprehensive free tier for many services, making it easier to get started. |
Certain
enterprise features might still lag behind those offered by AWS or Azure. |
Strong
Integration with Google Services |
Resource
Management |
Excellent
integration with other Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google
Workspace. |
Resource
management tools might not be as intuitive or mature compared to competitors. |
Sustainability
Efforts |
Limited
Hybrid Cloud Support |
GCP is known
for its strong commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. |
Hybrid cloud
support is improving but still not as robust as some competitors. |
3. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Pros |
Cons |
Comprehensive
Service Offering |
Complex
Pricing Structure |
Extensive
range of services covering computing, storage, networking, databases, machine
learning, and more. |
Pricing can
be complex and difficult to understand, making it challenging to predict
costs. |
Global Reach
and Availability |
Steep
Learning Curve |
Data centers
in many regions worldwide, ensure low latency and high availability. |
It can be
complex to learn and manage, especially for beginners. |
Scalability
and Flexibility |
Costs Can Add
Up |
Highly
scalable infrastructure that can handle varying workloads efficiently. |
Costs can
escalate quickly if services are not monitored and managed effectively. |
Strong
Security Features |
Service
Limits |
Advanced
security features including encryption, compliance certifications, and
identity management. |
Initial
service limits may require adjustments based on specific needs. |
Rich
Ecosystem and Marketplace |
Documentation
Quality |
A large ecosystem of third-party tools and applications is available in the AWS
Marketplace. |
While
extensive, some users find AWS documentation overwhelming or lacking
in certain areas. |
Innovative
and Up-to-date Services |
Service
Outages |
Regularly
updates and introduces new services and features, staying ahead of technology
trends. |
Like all
cloud providers, AWS experiences occasional service outages. |
Wide Range of
Instance Types |
Vendor
Lock-In |
Offers a
variety of instance types to match different workloads and performance needs. |
Potential for
vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers. |
Robust
Support for Hybrid Cloud |
Management
Tools Complexity |
Supports
hybrid cloud setups, allowing integration of on-premises infrastructure with
AWS. |
Management
and monitoring tools can be complex and may require expertise. |
Advanced
Networking Features |
Billing and
Account Management |
Comprehensive
networking options including VPC, Direct Connect, and advanced routing
capabilities. |
Billing and
account management can be complex, requiring careful tracking of usage and
costs. |
Strong
Community and Support |
Resource
Management |
Active
community and extensive support options, including enterprise-level support
plans. |
Effective
resource management requires careful planning and continuous monitoring. |
C. Image Comparisons
The following is an Image for the List of Services from the Three Services such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
Microsoft Azure :
Google Cloud :
Amazon Web Services (AWS) :
Periodic Table of AWS |
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That is the explanation of the Comparison of Cloud Services between Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) that we have explained.
Thank You 😄😊👌👍 :)
Wassalammu‘alaikum wr. wb.