The effects of rapid digitisation are something you can no longer undermine. What’s impressive about these developments is the use of cloud computing technologies. Projections suggest this market will grow from a valuation of $676.29 billion in 2024 to $2,291.59 billion by 2032.
Reports show that AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Azure hold more than 60% of the total market share in the cloud computing sphere. While AWS leads the race with 31% market share, Azure enjoys a comfortable 20% share, and GCP gets 11%.
Check out some more Cloud Computing Statistics and Facts for a better insight into the latest market developments.
Given the popularity of these platforms, it seems fair to compare GCP vs. Azure vs. AWS and understand which stands out. In this blog, we will compare all three cloud computing platforms and help you make the right choice based on your needs.
Summarised Comparison of GCP vs. Azure vs. AWS
Before the detailed comparison between GCP vs Azure vs AWS, let’s first get a generic view of the differences. The table below will highlight some of the key differences between these three platforms, so let’s check them out:
| Criteria | Google Cloud Platform | Microsoft Azure | AWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Persistent Disk, Storage Transfer Service, Cloud Storage, Service Transfer Appliance, Filestore, Nearline | File Storage, Blob Storage, Data Lake Storage, Container Storage, Azure NetApp Files, Disk Storage | EFS, Elastic Data Recovery, S3, Backup Glacier, EBS |
| Machine Learning (ML) | Dialogflow, Videos AI, Gemini, Vision AI, Vertex AI Platform, Natural Language, Looker, Vision AI, AutoML | OpenAI Service, Azure ML, DevOps, AI Vision, Cognitive Search, AI Content Safety, AI Speech | SageMaker, CodeGuru, Augmented AI, AmazonQ, Forecast, Bedrock, Forecast |
| Compute | Cloud Functions, Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, VMware Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, Compute Engine,Recommender. | App Services, Container Apps, Virtual Machines, LVM, Kubernetes Services, Virtual Machines | Lambda, Batch, ECS, EC2, APP Runner, Lightsail |
| Identity and Security | Identity Platform, Cloud Data Loss Prevention, Cloud IDS, Cloud Key Management, Cloud Armor, Identity-Aware Proxy, IAM | Azure Firewall, Azure DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Application Gateway, Key Vault, Microsoft Sentinel | Cognito Detective, IAM, Inspector, GuardDuty, Shield |
| Databases | Bigtable, Datastream, Cloud SQL, Memorystore, AlloyDB, Firestore, Spanner | Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure Arc, Database Migration Service, Azure Database for MySQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Stack, Cache for Redis | Aurora, RDS, DynamoDB, Redshift, DocumentDB, SimpleDB, RDS’ |
The above criteria might give you a generic overview of Google Cloud vs AWS vs Azure and their key differences. However, this information might not be enough to help you make an informed choice. So, continue reading to learn more about each platform and get a better idea.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google offers a wide range of cloud computing services, which form a collection known as the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These services provide you with tools across different aspects of cloud computing technologies. These include tools for ML, AI, databases, storage, developer tools, computing, networking, and data analytics.
Microsoft Azure
The next on the list is Microsoft Azure, which stands out as one of the most preferable cloud computing services. This advanced platform allows businesses to eliminate the hassle of processes related to developing, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services.
Azure can be Used for a wide range of services, including data analytics, computing, governance, hybrid cloud, security, and cloud migration.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is the largest cloud computing service provider in the market, with the lion’s share. The platform gets on-demand and fully featured cloud services, offering better storage options, networking capabilities, and computation power. This is why you will find that everyone from enterprises, government agencies, start-ups, and even individuals prefers AWS to such an extent.
GCP vs. Azure vs. AWS: Key Differences
Now that we have a clearer idea of what a detailed GCP vs Azure vs AWS comparison would look like, it is time to move on to the next part. In this section, we will look at key differentiators of these three cloud computing platforms one at a time. So, let’s start reading and understand the key differences between each platform.
Key Differentiators in the Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has many such perks, making it a standout option. Here are some of the best-known of these perks:
- AI and ML Priority: One of the best things about using Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is you can use it to build generative AI apps. You can hire cloud developers and leverage it for generative AI-powered code, conversational AI products, and more.
- Proper Database Management: The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) uses various popular databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. This keeps maintenance costs low and makes developing better applications much easier.
- Multi-Could and Open Source: Another unique aspect of the GCP is its open architecture. This platform supports hybrid and multi-cloud deployments, which enhances convenience.
- Compute Engine: The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) allows you to build and run customisable Virtual Machines (VMs), migrate applications, and automatically deploy containers.
- Useful Data Analytics: When it comes to big data analytics, GCP cloud specialists have the upper hand over others. You can use tools like Looker for business intelligence and BigQuery for high-speed SQL queries.
Still wondering if GCP is the right choice for you? See if you can find your answer here: Why Google Cloud?
Key Differentiators in Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is one of the most preferable choices for cloud application developers, with some valid reasons for this. So, let’s take a look at some of these reasons that include:
- Modernisation and Migration: Cloud modernisation and migration become much easier when using Azure. The platform gives you seamless access to many resources, tools, and necessary guidance for simplifying and hastening cloud migration.
- Web3 Services: Microsoft Azure also allows you to take advantage of the latest Web3 technologies. You can use it to implement blockchain as a service for building, deploying, and scaling decentralised applications.
- Building and Supporting Freedom: One great thing about Azure is that its offerings are not limited to Windows-based services. You can create and maintain almost any application since it supports many open-source applications.
- Security and Governance: Microsoft Azure prioritises cloud security and offers many security services. These include Azure governance, network security, backup and disaster recovery, and confidential computing.
- Azure AI: The final thing that makes Azure a preferable choice for many is its AI services. Whether a developer or a data scientist, you can use it to cut across vision, speech, languages, and decentralised applications.
Key Differentiators in Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Before we get into the Azure vs AWS debate, one must understand what differentiates this platform from its competitors. Some of these differentiating factors include:
- IoT Services: The AWS IoT Core and other relevant services make this platform preferable. You can leverage these services to connect countless devices while collecting and storing their data. This data can be used for consumer, commercial, industrial, and automotive applications.
- Blockchain on AWS: Another distinct characteristic of AWS is blockchain. The platform allows you to build networks of blockchains and access many blockchain solutions from its partners.
- Robust Ecosystem: AWS has an impressive ecosystem of third-party integrations and a strong community. This ensures you never run out of resources and support whenever needed.
- Serverless Computing: AWS serverless technologies have built-in high availability and automated scalability. They can be used for application integration, code execution, and even data management.
- Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2): This comprehensive computing program from AWS helps run virtual machines. You can hire a dedicated developer for AWS to configure CLI to scale computing power while supporting AMD, Intel, Arm processors, and GPU-powered servers for more intensive needs.
GCP vs. Azure vs. AWS: Pricing Differences
Now coming to the main point to understand and break down the GCP vs. Azure vs. AWS price comparison. Each platform comes with different pricing models, making it rather challenging to take a generic approach. So, let’s get into the details for a better understanding:
Pricing of the Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
The best thing about the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is its flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model. You always have the option to contact the provider and ask for a quote based on your usage requirements. One defining characteristic is that you get free credits worth $300 with a new signup. You can use this to test, run, and deploy your workloads with ease.
Pricing of the Microsoft Azure
When it comes to cloud platform pricing comparison, there is not much to say. Most platforms, including Microsoft Azure, offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model for all their unique services and products. While this benefits the user, it still makes it challenging to draw proper comparisons between the platforms.
Pricing of the Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds the largest market share in the cloud computing space, and this would not have been possible without a flexible pricing model. Even this platform uses the pay-as-you-go pricing model, where you only pay for the services you use. In certain cases, you might even get a discount on these prices through saving plans and reserved instances.
Pros and Cons of Different Cloud Computing Platforms
Now that we have a better idea of AWS vs Azure vs GCP features and pricing, it is time to evaluate the pros and cons of each. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each cloud platform to help you make an informed choice.
Pros and Cons of Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Here is a table giving you a peek into the pros and cons of one of the best cloud platforms 2025, the GCP:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Extensive global network of fibre 2. Quality and reliable support for containerized workloads. 3. Works seamlessly with other Google products and services. | 1. Relatively less support for enterprise use cases 2. Limited services compared to Azure vs AWS. |
Pros and Cons of Microsoft Azure
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of the Microsoft Azure to make an informed choice:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Excellent support for hybrid cloud strategies 2. Seamless migration and integration for existing Microsoft services. 3. Access to the best AI, ML, and analytics services. 4. Relative affordable compared to other alternatives | 1. Mainly suited for enterprise customers 2. Service offerings are less compared to AWS |
Pros and Cons of Amazon Web Services (AWS)
In this section, we will take a look at the pros and cons of AWS migration services along with other services you get with this cloud computing platform:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Far better maturity compared to alternatives 2. Programs of most major software vendors are available on AWS. 3. Access to an impressive collection of services in robotics or networking. 4. Commute capacity is far better than what you find in competitors 5. One of the most reliable choices for cloud security and safety | 1. Limited options with hybrid cloud compared to alternatives. 2. Extensive options and several services can be overwhelming for amateurs. 3. You will need to purchase Enterprise or Dev support. |
Check out this post on Why AWS to get more clarity on the matter.
How do you choose the right provider from GCP vs Azure vs AWS?
When it comes to choosing from the top cloud providers 2025, there are many important things that you need to keep in mind. So, here are some of the most important factors that you need to be mindful of:
- Product and Service Offerings: You must first evaluate the type of services and products the provider offers. You should evaluate those services and see if they meet your unique needs.
- Pricing: The next important thing to consider is pricing. This will also affect the cost of hiring cloud consultants. You must have a clear idea of the pricing scheme before making any final decision.
- Location of Data Centres: When choosing a cloud computing platform, you must always consider the location of most of your users. While most cloud providers have a globalised network of data centres, some gaps in specific locations might remain.
- Support: The final thing you need to worry about here is the support you can get from the cloud provider. Always try to choose a vendor offering a fee and accessible support for quick issue resolution and minimal disruption.
Final Take
Access to the right technological tool can make the difference between your business’s success and failure. This is what makes it worth making a comparison of GCP vs Azure vs. AWS and putting some thought into this decision.
When answering the question of which cloud provider is best in 2025, it all boils down to evaluating your needs. You must take your time to determine the type of pricing you can afford, the support you need, and other factors to make the right choice.
So make sure you make the most of this information and take some time to choose the right cloud provider. This will help you get the right insights and make an informed choice. You can even consider leveraging the expertise of a dedicated developer for cloud migration to reach a proper conclusion here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which cloud platform is the best for start-ups in 2025?
Different start-ups have different needs, making it difficult to make generalised recommendations about choosing between GCP, Azure, and AWS. Instead, start-ups must take time to evaluate their unique needs and hire cloud migration experts to help them make an informed choice.
Q. Is it worth using cloud platforms in 2025?
Using cloud platforms in 2025 is less of an option and more of a necessity for businesses. No matter the scale of your business or the industry you belong to, you need the agility and flexibility of cloud technology to stay ahead of the competition.
Q. Does Microsoft Azure offer the pay-as-you-go pricing model?
Yes, Microsoft Azure offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model for customers using its cloud services.
Q. Will I get serverless computing abilities with AWS?
Yes, AWS offers serverless computing abilities that make scalability quite easy with these systems.
Q. What is the current market share of AWS?
AWS holds the largest market share at 31%, leaving Azure at 20% and GCP at 11%.