How AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platforms Are Different 

Every business needs to deal with limitless data that keeps extending over time. Cloud computing is becoming a necessity for all the businesses to store all this data securely with the facility of accessing all the data in real-time without worrying anything about the storage. The cloud market is expanding day by day. While there are a number of cloud platforms, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Microsoft Azure Cloud are the 3 top dominators in the sector with 64% of the market share. While all three are popular, each of them is different from the other having their own strengths and plus points. 

Let’s get to know the major differences between these 3 big names in the cloud market along with getting to know their major plus points.

What is Cloud Computing? 

Cloud computing is the use of various computing-hosted services like servers, storage, databases, networking, and software to access data in real-time over the internet. The cloud technology is used to store limitless data on a physical server and is maintained by a cloud service provider. 

Key Benefits of Cloud Computing 

• On-Demand Self-Service: Cloud computing facilitates instant service without the need for any kind of  human interaction with the service provider. 
• Broad Network Access: Cloud computing works on a broad network like web browsers or APIs. 
• Reduced Infrastructure Cost: Without a cloud infrastructure, you will have to invest in physical storage and maintenance. Embracing cloud computing helps you reduce this extra cost. 
• Enhanced Availability: Since cloud computing makes it possible to attain any data instantly and remotely, it reduces the time for developers to access resources required for cloud-based software development which used to take weeks or months earlier.

AWS Overview 

Launched in 2006, Amazon Web Services, popularly known as AWS, started providing a wide range of web services to businesses which is widely regarded as cloud technology services in today’s time. It offers computer resources and services that have the capability of constructing applications in minutes with a model that charges based on your progress in the cloud-based software development process or usage. It is known as the ‘Pay-as-you-go’ model. In the rapidly increasing market of cloud services, AWS holds the top place, holding around 31-33% of the market. 

The range of AWS services is very wide from computing, storage, networking, database, analytics, and machine learning to artificial intelligence. AWS is known for its highly reliable, scalable, low-cost infrastructure cloud services that are empowering hundreds of thousands of businesses in 190 countries around the world.

Notable Users of AWS: 

Following are some of the notable users of AWS cloud services: 

• Netflix
• Airbnb 
• Unilever 
• Pfizer 
• SonyLIV
• Airtel 
• HDFC Life

Advantages of AWS

AWS offers a number of services with numerous benefits as listed below: 

• Feasibility: One of the top benefits of AWS is its ease of use. On signing up with AWS, it presents a very user-friendly interface which is called AWS Management Console. This server interface allows you to be exposed to a vast range of tools, applications, and services that require absolutely no high level of IT expertise. From a powerful web hosting platform to a new platform to deploy SaaS or migrate existing software, it is a versatile platform no matter what you are looking for.
• Diversity in Tools: Originally designed for cloud storage and computing, the area of AWS has now extended up to 70 services at the present time including database, software, mobile, analytics, and networking. AWS is known as the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platform and all its services are available for rent.
• Reliable Encryption and Security: AWS offers robust security measures and capabilities to ensure that all your information and data remain safe and secure regardless of the advancements in cyber crimes. AWS ensures robust security for the documents and data of its customers through the following ways:
  • Data protection.
  • Identity and access management.
  • Infrastructure protection.
  • Threat detection and continuous monitoring.
  • Compliance and data privacy.

Azure Overview

Azure is the second largest and most robust cloud platform with a 23% market share,  launched by Microsoft Corporation in 2010. Similar to AWS, it also allows the public access to a wide range of services but is specifically focused on Windows-based computing. Users can build, manage, and deploy applications that are managed by Microsoft-managed data centers.  

Notable Users of Azure 

• Bosch
• Audi
• ASOS
• HSBC
• Starbucks
• Walgreens
• 3M
• FedEx
• Walmart
• HP
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Renault

Advantages of Microsoft Azure

Below are some of the top advantages of Microsoft Azure: 

• Scalability: Azure is powered by robust scalability that allows it to adapt to situations according to the needs of your business and provide solutions accordingly. Increased scalability helps you reduce costs as it provides resources according to the requirements.
• Internet Of Things: The Internet of Things, commonly known as IoT technology is one of the most advanced and most talked about technologies in today’s time. Microsoft Azure offers IoT services such as Azure IoT Hub, IoT Edge, and IoT Central to make it easy for businesses to connect, monitor, and manage this advanced technology in their projects to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and workforce. 
• Artificial Intelligence: Almost every business and industry recognizes the importance and power of artificial intelligence in this tech-driven and advanced world. Through the artificial intelligence services of Microsoft Azure like  Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Data Bricks, businesses can integrate AI models into their projects. 

Google Cloud Platform Overview

As the third largest cloud platform in the world, Google Cloud Platform, or GCP  was launched in 2011 and has a 9% market share. Similar to AWS and Azure, GCP also offers a range of cloud solutions though the solutions of GCP are mostly friendly for DevOps. 

Advantages of Google Cloud Platform

Following are some of the key advantages of Google Cloud Platform: 

• High Productivity: If your business is growing, opting for Google Cloud Applications will be the best decision as it can handle tens of thousands of users at the same time increasing productivity. 
• Live Migration: This is one of the best and top advantages offered by Google Cloud Platform, which differentiates it from its competitors. Through these features, live migration of virtual machines is possible while the maintenance events continue to run and the most amazing thing about this feature is that there will be downtime or dysfunction in the website. 
• Data Backups: GCP offers not a single but 4 backups to store files automatically when an issue occurs.

Key Differences Between AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform

Let’s have a look at the comprehensive comparison between AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud solutions below in various important factors: 

1. Cloud Tools

While artificial intelligence and machine learning development are dominating every field, how can we refrain from the essential field of cloud based services? All three platforms focus on staying ahead in terms of technology and providing the latest advancements to their customers. 

• AWS  cloud services include services that are packed with the power of AI and IoT technologies. Tools like Sage Maker are used for staff training and deploying machine learning. There are various tools through which AWS focuses on providing the essential customization facility to its users.
• Microsoft focuses on providing advanced artificial intelligence services that can be integrated with on-premise software and business applications. These tools focus on managing increasing and complex workloads. The IoT offering of Microsoft like Edge helps enterprises with informed decision making with the help of management and business analytics. 
• Google Cloud’s computing tools focus on natural language processing, translation, and speech to ensure smooth coordination among global enterprises with a large open-source library TensorFlow.

2. Storage

Cloud computing platforms are known for their extensive storage capabilities. Let’s have a look at the capabilities of these three prominent cloud computing platforms: 

• AWS offers a wide range of storage services, from S3 to EBS. Understanding in detail, there are three main types of storage services offered by AWS: Simple Storage Service (S3) for object storage, elastic Block Storage (EBS) for persistent block storage, and Elastic File System (EFS) for file storage. 
• Microsoft Azure offers different services for the secure storage of unstructured data, large-volume workloads, and big data applications. 
• Google Cloud offers unified storage services with a persistent disk option. You can also get SQL and NoSQL services when it comes to databases. 

Let’s take a look at the below table to differentiate these platforms from each other: 

Use cases for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform

Following are some of the use cases for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform: 

1. AWS Amazon Web Services

• Web Hosting: AWS web services is one of the best choices when it comes to scalable web hosting solutions for websites and web applications. 
• Big Data Processing: Processing through a large bulk of data can be time-consuming and brain-storming. Services like Amazon EMR and RedShift can help you with this. 
• Machine Learning: Developers can easily build, train, and deploy machine learning models with SageMaker. 
• Disaster Recovery: When it comes to being exposed to sudden disasters and major issues with your data, make sure that everything is kept securely through AWS Backup and AWS storage gateway. 
• IoT Applications: The IoT-based applications of AWS allow you seamless connectivity and management. 

2. Microsoft Azure

• Hybrid Cloud Solutions: No matter the on-premise, multi-cloud, or edge environment, Azure Arc will manage all the things.
• AI and Machine Learning: Make, build, and deploy machine learning models with the help of Azure Machine Learning. 
• DevOps: From CI/CD to project management, Azure DevOps helps you manage things 
• Enterprise Applications: You can have enterprise-grade cloud-based application development with services like Azure  Active Directory and Azure SQL Database. 

3. Google Cloud Platform

• Big Data and Analytics: When it comes to managing the bulk of data, Google Cloud will help you with the BigQuery tool.
• Serverless Computing: Go serverless with Google Cloud. 
• Media and Entertainment: GCP offers solutions for media processing, storage, and delivery. 

Conclusion: 

When it comes to choosing the best cloud computing services, Amazon, Microsoft, and Google all three are top giants in the tech industry. AWS web services, launched in 2006, is currently the top shareholder in the cloud computing market. With users like NetFlix, Unilever, SonyLIV, Airtel, etc.  AWS web services offer various benefits like feasibility, diverse tools, and robust security measures. The second largest dominant in the cloud-based app development services is Microsoft Azure Cloud. While similar to AWS, it provides a number of services but if your business needs Windows-based computing, it is the best. At no 3 is Google Cloud with advantages like high productivity, live migration, and robust data backups. So, choosing a cloud platform for your business totally depends on the requirements of your business and the features and strengths of the cloud platform. While a cloud platform is the platform on which all of your business applications are kept secure, choosing the best platform depends on the requirements of your business and your budget to ensure a smooth cloud-based app development process. When you choose the best cloud computing platform, 24*7 support, automatic updates, cost savings, and good storage capabilities are some of the things that should be kept in mind.