Cloud Computing Platforms: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud

Cloud Computing Platforms: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud

Cloud computing has revolutionised the way businesses operate, offering scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) are the leading providers in this space, each offering a comprehensive suite of services. Choosing the right platform can be complex, so this article provides a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Before diving into the specifics, it's important to understand that all three providers offer Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) models. They also provide a wide range of services, including compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning, and more.

1. Compute Services Comparison

Compute services are the foundation of any cloud platform, providing the virtual machines and processing power needed to run applications. Here's how AWS, Azure, and GCP compare:

AWS Compute Services

Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud): Offers a wide variety of instance types optimised for different workloads, including general purpose, compute-optimised, memory-optimised, accelerated computing, and storage-optimised instances. Supports various operating systems, including Linux, Windows Server, and macOS.
AWS Lambda: A serverless compute service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. Ideal for event-driven applications and microservices.
Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service): A container orchestration service that supports Docker containers.
Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service): A managed Kubernetes service for running containerised applications at scale.

Azure Compute Services

Azure Virtual Machines: Similar to EC2, Azure Virtual Machines offer a range of virtual machine sizes and configurations. Supports Linux, Windows Server, and other operating systems.
Azure Functions: Azure's serverless compute service, analogous to AWS Lambda.
Azure Container Instances: A serverless container execution service that allows you to run containers without managing virtual machines or clusters.
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): A managed Kubernetes service for deploying and managing containerised applications.

Google Cloud Compute Services

Compute Engine: Google Cloud's virtual machine service, offering customisable machine types and sustained use discounts.
Cloud Functions: Google Cloud's serverless compute offering, similar to AWS Lambda and Azure Functions.
Cloud Run: A managed compute platform that enables you to run stateless containers via HTTP requests.
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE): A managed Kubernetes service, built on Google's experience with container orchestration.

Comparison Table:

| Feature | AWS | Azure | Google Cloud |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Virtual Machines | EC2 | Virtual Machines | Compute Engine |
| Serverless | Lambda | Functions | Cloud Functions |
| Container Orchestration | ECS, EKS | Container Instances, AKS | Cloud Run, GKE |

2. Storage Solutions Comparison

Cloud storage is essential for storing data, applications, and backups. Each provider offers a range of storage options with different performance characteristics and pricing.

AWS Storage Solutions

Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service): Object storage for storing and retrieving any amount of data. Offers different storage classes for varying access frequencies and cost requirements.
Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Storage): Block storage for use with EC2 instances. Provides persistent storage volumes that can be attached to virtual machines.
Amazon EFS (Elastic File System): A fully managed network file system for sharing files between multiple EC2 instances.
Amazon Glacier: Low-cost archive storage for infrequently accessed data.

Azure Storage Solutions

Azure Blob Storage: Object storage for storing unstructured data, such as images, videos, and documents.
Azure Disk Storage: Block storage for use with Azure Virtual Machines.
Azure Files: A fully managed file share service that can be accessed via the SMB protocol.
Azure Archive Storage: Low-cost storage for long-term data retention.

Google Cloud Storage Solutions

Cloud Storage: Object storage for storing and retrieving data. Offers different storage classes based on access frequency.
Persistent Disk: Block storage for use with Compute Engine instances.
Filestore: A fully managed file storage service for Google Cloud.
Cloud Storage Nearline and Coldline: Low-cost storage options for infrequently accessed data.

Comparison Table:

| Feature | AWS | Azure | Google Cloud |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Object Storage | S3 | Blob Storage | Cloud Storage |
| Block Storage | EBS | Disk Storage | Persistent Disk |
| File Storage | EFS | Files | Filestore |
| Archive Storage | Glacier | Archive Storage | Nearline, Coldline |

3. Database Offerings Comparison

Cloud databases provide scalable and reliable data storage and management solutions. AWS, Azure, and GCP offer a variety of database services, including relational databases, NoSQL databases, and data warehouses.

AWS Database Offerings

Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service): Supports various database engines, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and SQL Server.
Amazon Aurora: A MySQL- and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud, offering improved performance and availability.
Amazon DynamoDB: A fully managed NoSQL database service.
Amazon Redshift: A fast, fully managed data warehouse service.

Azure Database Offerings

Azure SQL Database: A fully managed relational database service based on SQL Server.
Azure Cosmos DB: A globally distributed, multi-model database service that supports various NoSQL APIs.
Azure Database for MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB: Managed database services for open-source database engines.
Azure Synapse Analytics: A fully managed data warehouse service.

Google Cloud Database Offerings

Cloud SQL: A fully managed relational database service that supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.
Cloud Spanner: A globally distributed, scalable, and strongly consistent database service.
Cloud Datastore: A NoSQL database service for web and mobile applications.
BigQuery: A fully managed, serverless data warehouse service.

Comparison Table:

| Feature | AWS | Azure | Google Cloud |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Relational DB | RDS, Aurora | SQL Database, MySQL/PostgreSQL/MariaDB | Cloud SQL, Cloud Spanner |
| NoSQL DB | DynamoDB | Cosmos DB | Cloud Datastore |
| Data Warehouse | Redshift | Synapse Analytics | BigQuery |

4. Pricing Models and Cost Optimisation

Understanding the pricing models of each cloud provider is crucial for managing costs effectively. All three providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing, but they also offer discounts for reserved instances, committed use, and sustained use.

AWS Pricing: Offers various pricing models, including On-Demand, Reserved Instances, Spot Instances, and Savings Plans. Provides tools like AWS Cost Explorer to analyse and optimise costs. Learn more about Modus and how we can help you manage your AWS costs.
Azure Pricing: Offers pay-as-you-go pricing, reserved instances, and Azure Hybrid Benefit for using existing on-premises licenses. Azure Cost Management helps track and optimise spending.
Google Cloud Pricing: Offers sustained use discounts, committed use discounts, and preemptible VMs. Google Cloud Cost Management provides tools for cost analysis and optimisation.

Cost Optimisation Strategies:

Right-sizing instances: Choose the appropriate instance size for your workload to avoid over-provisioning.
Using reserved instances or committed use discounts: Commit to using resources for a specific period to get significant discounts.
Deleting unused resources: Regularly review and delete resources that are no longer needed.
Using auto-scaling: Automatically scale resources up or down based on demand.
Leveraging serverless computing: Use serverless services like Lambda, Functions, and Cloud Functions to pay only for the compute time you use.

When choosing a provider, consider what Modus offers and how it aligns with your needs.

5. Security Features and Compliance

Security is a top priority for cloud providers. AWS, Azure, and GCP offer a range of security features and compliance certifications to protect your data and applications.

AWS Security: Offers services like AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Key Management Service (KMS), AWS Shield, and AWS WAF. Complies with various industry standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.
Azure Security: Provides services like Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), Azure Key Vault, Azure Security Center, and Azure Sentinel. Complies with various compliance standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA.
Google Cloud Security: Offers services like Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM), Cloud Key Management Service (KMS), Cloud Armor, and Cloud Security Scanner. Complies with various industry standards, including ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.

Key Security Considerations:

Identity and Access Management (IAM): Implement strong IAM policies to control access to resources.
Data Encryption: Encrypt data at rest and in transit to protect it from unauthorised access.
Network Security: Use firewalls and network segmentation to isolate resources and prevent network attacks.
Vulnerability Management: Regularly scan for vulnerabilities and apply security patches.
Compliance: Ensure that your cloud environment complies with relevant industry regulations and standards.

Choosing the right cloud platform depends on your specific requirements, budget, and technical expertise. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud each offer a comprehensive suite of services, but they differ in terms of pricing, features, and strengths. By carefully evaluating your needs and comparing the offerings of each provider, you can make an informed decision that will help you achieve your business goals. If you have any frequently asked questions, please check out our FAQ page.