AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – A comparison of public cloud leaders

Choosing the right public cloud provider is becoming a key strategic decision for any organization. Increasing demands for scalability, security and cost-effectiveness make it imperative for companies to carefully consider the available options before deciding to migrate to the cloud.

The three major public cloud providers – Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) – offer a wide range of services and solutions. Each has its own unique advantages and specializations that may better suit specific business needs. In this article, we will examine the differences between these platforms in detail to help you make an informed decision.

What is the public cloud and what are its main advantages for business?

The public cloud is an IT service delivery model in which computing resources are made available by a third-party provider via the Internet. This business model allows organizations to flexibly scale their IT infrastructure without having to invest in their own hardware and software. Instead of building and maintaining their own data centers, companies can use off-the-shelf infrastructure, paying only for the resources actually used.

The primary advantage of the public cloud is a significant reduction in operating costs. The pay-as-you-go model eliminates the need for large initial investments in IT infrastructure, and automatic scaling of resources ensures optimal budget utilization. Organizations can quickly increase or decrease resource utilization depending on current business needs.

Another key benefit is increased operational flexibility. Companies can rapidly deploy new test and production environments, experiment with new technologies without risking long-term commitments, and respond quickly to changing market demands. This flexibility translates directly into competitive advantage and speed of innovation.

Public cloud providers are investing heavily in security and regulatory compliance, offering advanced data protection mechanisms that often surpass the capabilities of local data centers. Automatic backups, distributed architecture and system redundancy ensure high service availability and protection against data loss.

Who are the leaders in the public cloud market and what are their characteristics?

As a pioneer and undisputed leader in the public cloud market, Amazon Web Services has built the most powerful portfolio of services in the industry. AWS offers more than 200 different services, ranging from basic infrastructure solutions to advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. AWS’ global network covers 84 availability zones in 26 geographic regions, providing unparalleled scalability and availability.

Microsoft Azure leverages its dominant position in the enterprise segment to build a comprehensive cloud ecosystem. The platform excels particularly in the area of integration with existing Microsoft systems, offering a seamless transition for organizations using technologies such as Windows Server, Active Directory and SQL Server. Azure also places a strong emphasis on hybrid solutions, enabling the flexible combination of on-premises and cloud environments.

Google Cloud Platform, although it entered the market later than its competitors, has quickly built a strong position with innovative solutions in the areas of big data, machine learning and artificial intelligence. GCP leverages Google’s global infrastructure to offer advanced analytical tools and high-performance solutions for next-generation applications. The platform particularly excels in the area of containerization and open source solutions.

Each vendor regularly introduces new services and features in an effort to stay ahead of the competition in key technology areas. AWS focuses on versatility and scale, Azure on integration and hybrid environments, and GCP on innovation and performance.

What are the basic service models offered by AWS, Azure and Google Cloud?

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is the cornerstone of all three vendors’ offerings. In this model, organizations get access to a virtual infrastructure that they can manage according to their needs. AWS EC2, Azure Virtual Machines and Google Compute Engine offer a wide range of virtual machine configurations, enabling precise matching of resources to application requirements. In addition, each platform provides storage, networking and security services as core IaaS components.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) simplifies the application development and deployment process by providing a turnkey development environment. AWS Elastic Beanstalk automates the process of deploying and scaling applications, Azure App Service offers a comprehensive platform for web and mobile applications, and Google App Engine provides a fully managed environment for applications in various programming languages. The PaaS model allows development teams to focus on the application code while the platform manages the infrastructure.

Software as a Service (SaaS) is the most abstract model of cloud services, where providers offer off-the-shelf applications accessible via the Internet. Each platform offers a variety of SaaS solutions, from basic developer tools to advanced analytics and business systems. AWS offers services such as WorkMail and WorkDocs, Azure integrates with Microsoft 365, and Google Cloud provides G Suite and other business applications.

Choosing the right service model depends on a number of factors, including the resources and competencies of the IT team, the control requirements of the infrastructure and the specifics of the applications being developed. Often organizations use a combination of different models, tailoring them to specific use cases.

What are the differences between the computing models in AWS, Azure and Google Cloud?

The backbone of public cloud computing services is virtual machines, where each provider takes a unique approach. AWS EC2 offers the most extensive catalog of instance types, from micro-instances to advanced machines optimized for compute, memory or graphics processing. The AWS Auto Scaling elastic scaling system allows the number of instances to automatically adjust to the current load, resulting in cost optimization.

Azure Virtual Machines stands out especially in the context of Microsoft Windows Server and SQL Server environments. The platform offers special hybrid licensing that allows significant savings when migrating existing systems to the cloud. Azure Scale Sets enable automatic scaling of groups of virtual machines, and integration with Azure DevOps simplifies the process of continuous integration and deployment.

Google Compute Engine introduces an innovative approach to managing computing resources. The platform offers automatic discounts for long-term use without the need to reserve instances, as well as advanced auto-scaling mechanisms based on machine learning. GCP also excels in the area of containerization, offering native support for Kubernetes technology through Google Kubernetes Engine.

All three vendors are heavily developing serverless services that allow code to run without managing the infrastructure. AWS Lambda, Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions allow applications to be built in an event-driven architecture, where you only pay for the actual time a function is executed.

What storage services do AWS, Azure and Google Cloud offer, and what makes them different?

In the area of data storage, each provider offers differentiated classes of storage to suit different use cases. Amazon S3 has set the standard for object-based cloud storage, offering unparalleled scalability and data durability of 99.999999999%. Its intelligent data lifecycle management system allows it to automatically move less frequently used objects to less expensive classes of storage, optimizing storage costs.

Azure Blob Storage is distinguished by its advanced integration with Microsoft services and competitive pricing for enterprise customers. The platform offers unique features such as a hierarchical namespace for data lake, making it easier to manage large data sets. Azure Files provides native support for the SMB protocol, enabling easy migration of applications using traditional network shares.

Google Cloud Storage introduces innovative solutions for automated data management. The platform offers a unified storage model with automatic replication between regions and intelligent management of storage classes. A distinguishing feature is the ability to access data via various protocols, including HTTP/S and gRPC, which increases integration flexibility.

Each vendor also offers specialized solutions for specific use cases, such as block storage for virtual machines or file systems for high-performance computing environments. Choosing the right solution depends on the specific application requirements in terms of performance, availability and cost.

What are the key differences in database offerings on AWS, Azure and Google Cloud?

In the database space, AWS offers the most comprehensive portfolio of services, with Amazon RDS as its flagship product supporting popular database engines such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and SQL Server. The service automates routine administrative tasks, including backup, patching and replication, allowing teams to focus on application optimization. Amazon Aurora, AWS’ own engine compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, provides performance comparable to commercial databases at a much lower cost.

Azure SQL Database stands out for its superior integration with existing Microsoft SQL Server environments. The platform offers advanced business intelligence and analytics capabilities through integration with Power BI and Azure Synapse Analytics. Azure Cosmos DB, a global multi-model database, provides exceptional data model flexibility and single-millisecond performance guarantees.

Google Cloud Platform is innovating with Cloud Spanner, the first globally distributed relational database that combines transactional consistency with horizontal scalability. Cloud SQL offers fully managed MySQL, PostgreSQL and SQL Server databases, and Cloud Bigtable provides efficient support for big data workloads. A distinguishing feature of GCP is automatic performance and cost optimization based on usage patterns.

Each vendor also offers specialized solutions for specific use cases, such as in-memory databases, graph databases or data warehouses. The choice of the right database technology should take into account not only the current requirements of the application, but also the planned growth and scaling of the system.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of AWS in terms of security?

AWS offers a comprehensive approach to security with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) as the foundation for access management. IAM enables the precise definition of permissions at the level of services, resources and activities, ensuring compliance with the principle of least privilege. AWS Organizations allows for centralized management of security policies in multi-account environments, which is particularly important for large organizations.

The platform is distinguished by its advanced data encryption mechanisms. AWS Key Management Service (KMS) provides central management of cryptographic keys, and integration with AWS CloudHSM enables the highest regulatory requirements. Automatic encryption of data at rest and in transit is standard for most AWS services.

Security monitoring and auditing is performed by a number of integrated tools. AWS CloudTrail records all API activity, AWS Config tracks resource configuration changes, and Amazon GuardDuty uses machine learning to detect threats. Amazon Macie automatically identifies and protects sensitive data, such as personal information or financial data.

A challenge with AWS security can be the complexity of the permissions system and the large number of configuration options available. Properly configuring and maintaining a secure environment requires deep knowledge of the platform and continuous monitoring of security best practices.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Azure in terms of security?

Microsoft Azure stands out for its integrated approach to security, with Azure Active Directory as the focal point for identity and access management. The platform offers advanced multi-factor authentication and conditional access management capabilities that can be easily integrated with existing Active Directory infrastructure. Of particular value is the ability to use the same security mechanisms for on-premises and cloud applications.

Azure Security Center provides a comprehensive view of the security status of the entire environment, offering continuous security assessments and recommendations based on best practices. The system automatically detects and classifies assets, suggesting appropriate security mechanisms. Azure Sentinel, a native SIEM/SOAR solution, uses artificial intelligence to detect and respond to threats in real time.

The platform offers advanced compliance and governance mechanisms through Azure Policy and Azure Blueprints. Organizations can define and enforce security standards at the entire subscription or resource group level. Azure Information Protection ensures that sensitive data is protected regardless of its location, and integration with Microsoft 365 enables consistent security management across the Microsoft ecosystem.

One challenge can be the complexity of licensing and configuring advanced security features, which often require additional subscriptions. In addition, fully realizing the platform’s potential requires significant investment in the Microsoft ecosystem.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Google Cloud in terms of security?

Google Cloud Platform builds on Google’s years of experience in global infrastructure security. The platform implements the Zero Trust model at all levels, from physical infrastructure to applications. Cloud Identity and IAM provide precise access management, and BeyondCorp Enterprise enables the implementation of secure application access without a traditional VPN.

GCP is distinguished by advanced security automation and built-in threat protection. Cloud Security Command Center offers a centralized view of security status, and Cloud Asset Inventory provides continuous inventory and monitoring of assets. Security Health Analytics automatically detects misconfigurations and potential security vulnerabilities.

The platform offers advanced tools to protect sensitive data. Cloud KMS and Cloud HSM provide secure cryptographic key management, and Cloud DLP automatically detects and masks sensitive information. Binary Authorization enforces verification of container images before deployment, enhancing the security of container environments.

A challenge can be the platform’s relatively young age compared to competitors, which translates into less availability of ready-made templates and documentation for specific use cases. Some advanced security features are only available in select regions.

What security certifications do AWS, Azure and Google Cloud have?

All three public cloud providers have a comprehensive set of certifications and compliance with international security standards. AWS, as the market leader, offers the broadest portfolio of certifications, including ISO 27001, SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS and HIPAA. The platform regularly undergoes compliance audits and is actively expanding certification to include new industry standards and regional regulatory requirements.

Microsoft Azure has a particular focus on certifications relevant to enterprise and government customers. The platform has dedicated regions compliant with the requirements of various government agencies and specialized certifications for the financial and healthcare sectors. Azure also excels in compliance with European data protection regulations.

Google Cloud Platform is steadily expanding its certification portfolio, focusing on key industry standards and regional regulatory requirements. GCP offers special versions of services that comply with HIPAA and GDPR requirements, as well as dedicated environments for the public sector. The platform regularly undergoes independent security and compliance audits.

What are the integration possibilities with existing IT infrastructure in AWS, Azure and Google Cloud?

Integrating local environments with the public cloud is a key part of many organizations’ strategies. AWS offers a wide range of tools for building hybrid environments, including AWS Direct Connect for dedicated connectivity, AWS Storage Gateway for storage integration and AWS Outposts for running AWS services in the local data center. VMware Cloud on AWS enables seamless migration of VMware environments to the cloud.

Microsoft Azure excels in the area of integration thanks to its deep understanding of enterprise environments. Azure Arc allows you to manage on-premises and multi-cloud resources from within Azure, and Azure Stack Hub enables you to run Azure services in your own data center. Integration with Active Directory and System Center simplifies the management of hybrid environments.

Google Cloud Platform focuses on modern hybrid solutions based on container technologies. Anthos enables consistent application management across on-premises, cloud and multi-cloud environments, using Kubernetes as a foundation. Cloud Interconnect and Partner Interconnect provide efficient and secure connectivity to GCP.

What monitoring and resource management tools do AWS, Azure and Google Cloud offer?

Effective monitoring and management of cloud resources is the foundation for cost and performance optimization. Amazon CloudWatch offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring AWS resources, collecting metrics, logs and events from across the environment. The platform allows you to create custom dashboards, alerts and automatic actions in response to specific conditions. AWS Systems Manager further simplifies server fleet management, automating operational tasks and maintaining compliance with security policies.

Azure Monitor together with Azure Log Analytics creates an advanced monitoring platform that collects telemetry data from all components of the Azure environment. The system offers advanced data analysis and visualization capabilities, and integration with Azure Automation enables automatic response to detected issues. Application Insights provides deep insight into application performance, enabling rapid detection and diagnosis of performance issues.

Google Cloud Operations Suite (formerly Stackdriver) is distinguished by its advanced analysis and automated problem-diagnosis capabilities. The platform uses machine learning to detect anomalies and predict potential problems before they affect system performance. Cloud Monitoring offers precise insight into application and infrastructure performance, and Cloud Logging provides centralized log management with advanced analysis capabilities.

Cost management tools are an essential part of any platform. AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets help track and optimize expenses, Azure Cost Management offers advanced cost forecasting capabilities, and Google Cloud Billing provides detailed reports and optimization recommendations.

What are the pricing strategies of AWS, Azure and Google Cloud?

Public cloud pricing models can seem complicated due to the variety of services and billing options. AWS uses a pay-as-you-go model with the possibility of significant savings through Reserved Instances or the use of Savings Plans. The platform offers a free tier for new users, allowing them to test services at no cost. AWS’s pricing flexibility allows you to optimize costs by selecting the right types of instances and regions.

Microsoft Azure is also based on a pay-as-you-go model, but stands out with favorable terms for customers with Enterprise Agreement licenses. The Azure Hybrid Benefit program allows significant savings when migrating existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses to the cloud. Azure also offers advanced resource reservation options and flexible billing plans tailored to different service usage models.

Google Cloud Platform introduces an innovative approach to pricing, offering automatic discounts for recurring use of resources without the need for reservations. Committed Use Discounts provide predictable costs with a long-term commitment, and Preemptible VMs enable significant savings for workloads that tolerate outages. GCP often offers the most competitive pricing for specific use cases, especially in the areas of big data and machine learning.

The key to optimizing costs is to understand the specifics of each vendor’s pricing and match the choice of services to the actual needs of the organization. It is worth paying attention to the cost of data transfer between regions and services, which can account for a significant portion of monthly expenses.

Which public cloud provider offers the best technical support?

Quality technical support is critical for organizations using cloud services. AWS offers several levels of support, from basic Developer to advanced Enterprise, which provides a dedicated Technical Account Manager and support in less than 15 minutes for critical cases. The AWS Professional Services program additionally supports customers in designing and implementing best-practice solutions.

Microsoft Azure stands out for its comprehensive support, especially for enterprise customers. Unified Support combines support for all Microsoft products, which is particularly valuable for organizations using a broad portfolio of Microsoft solutions. Azure also offers advanced tools for self-service troubleshooting, including Azure Advisor, which provides personalized recommendations for optimizing the environment.

Google Cloud Platform takes an innovative approach to technical support, offering advanced diagnostic tools and problem-solving automation. Premium Support provides rapid response to requests and access to technical experts. GCP also regularly hosts technical webinars and workshops, helping customers get the most out of the platform.

All platforms offer extensive technical documentation, community forums and knowledge centers. The choice of support level should be dictated by the criticality of the systems and the internal competence of the IT team.

What are the trends and innovations in the development of public cloud (AI, IoT, edge computing)?

The development of the public cloud is closely linked to the latest technological trends. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming an integral part of cloud services. AWS SageMaker democratizes access to ML, Azure Cognitive Services simplifies the use of AI in applications, and Google Cloud AI Platform offers advanced tools for data scientists. Each platform is aggressively developing capabilities in natural language processing, computer vision and process automation.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is another area of intense development. AWS IoT Core provides a comprehensive platform for IoT device management and data processing. Azure IoT Hub stands out for its integration with industrial control systems, and Google Cloud IoT Core offers advanced real-time data analysis capabilities. Edge computing is becoming an increasingly important part of the cloud strategy, enabling processing closer to the source of data.

Serverless computing is revolutionizing the way applications are developed and deployed. AWS Lambda, Azure Functions and Google Cloud Functions are making it possible to build applications without managing infrastructure, and event-driven architecture is becoming a standard in modern cloud solutions. Containers and container orchestration, particularly through Kubernetes, provide the foundation for building scalable and portable applications.

Sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important aspects of public cloud development. Providers are investing in renewable energy sources and optimizing data centers for energy efficiency. Google Cloud has already achieved carbon neutrality, and AWS and Azure have committed to similar goals in the near future.

How to choose the best public cloud provider for your organization?

Choosing the right public cloud provider requires a comprehensive analysis of an organization’s needs and available options. It is crucial to understand the specifics of your own IT environment, including existing systems, team competencies and development plans. Organizations using Microsoft technologies may naturally gravitate toward Azure, while companies focused on AI/ML innovation may prefer Google Cloud.

Technical aspects, such as the availability of services in specific regions, the ability to integrate with existing infrastructure, or compliance and security requirements, should be carefully analyzed. Long-term costs are also worth considering, taking into account not only the prices of basic services, but also the costs of data transfer, technical support and specialized services.

A multi-cloud strategy is becoming an increasingly popular approach, allowing organizations to leverage the best features of each platform and avoid dependence on a single provider. The key, however, is to balance the benefits of using multiple platforms with the increased complexity of the environment and management costs.

What are the benefits of migrating to the public cloud for SME companies?

Small and medium-sized businesses can derive particular benefits from migrating to the public cloud, primarily by significantly reducing upfront costs. Instead of investing in expensive IT infrastructure and hiring specialists to maintain it, companies can leverage off-the-shelf cloud solutions, paying only for the resources actually used. This financial model allows for better cash flow management and anticipation of IT costs.

The flexibility and scalability of the public cloud enables small businesses to compete with larger entities on a level playing field. SMEs can quickly deploy new solutions and adapt IT resources to changing business needs without lengthy procurement and implementation procedures. Access to advanced technologies such as machine learning and big data analytics, which were previously reserved for large organizations, opens up new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Security is another major benefit for the SME sector. Public cloud providers invest heavily in security and regulatory compliance, offering a level of protection that far exceeds the capabilities of a typical small business’ local infrastructure. Automatic backups, data encryption and advanced access controls are available immediately, without additional investment.

The public cloud also supports the digital transformation of SMEs, enabling rapid deployment of solutions for remote working, business process automation and online customer service. Companies can easily experiment with new business models and channels to reach customers, minimizing the financial risks associated with innovation.

What are the challenges of migrating to the public cloud and how to overcome them?

Migration to the public cloud, despite its many benefits, comes with certain challenges that require careful planning and preparation. The first major challenge is to properly assess an organization’s readiness for migration. This requires a detailed inventory of existing applications and systems, analyzing the dependencies between them and determining migration priorities. It is also crucial to understand which applications are best suited to move to the cloud and which should remain in the local environment.

Data security during migration is another significant challenge. Organizations must ensure that data is adequately protected during the transfer and that security is properly configured in the target environment. This requires developing a detailed security strategy that includes data encryption, identity and access management, and security monitoring. It is also important to comply with industry regulations and legal requirements for data protection.

IT team competence is often a barrier to migration. Moving to the cloud requires new skills and a change in thinking about IT infrastructure. Organizations need to invest in employee training or enlist the support of external experts. It is also important to prepare the team for changes in operational processes and work tools.

Optimizing costs in the cloud requires continuous monitoring and management of resources. Organizations often face unexpected costs due to improper service selection or inefficient use of resources. It is crucial to implement processes to control costs and regularly optimize the cloud environment.

What are the best practices for security in the public cloud?

Security in the public cloud requires a comprehensive approach based on proven practices and industry standards. The foundation is to implement a shared security responsibility model, in which the cloud provider is responsible for infrastructure security and the customer is responsible for data and application security. Organizations must thoroughly understand the limits of this responsibility and adjust their security procedures accordingly.

Identity and access management is a key component of cloud security. Implementing the Principle of Least Privilege and regularly reviewing and updating user permissions are essential to maintaining a secure environment. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) should be required for all user accounts, especially those with administrative privileges. It is also worth considering Single Sign-On (SSO) implementation for better access management in a hybrid environment.

Protecting data in the cloud requires a multi-layered approach. Encryption of data at rest and during transmission should be standard, using advanced cryptographic key management mechanisms. Network segmentation, the use of security groups and access control lists (ACLs) help limit the potential reach of an attack. Regular backups and data recovery tests are essential for business continuity.

Monitoring and responding to security incidents requires the implementation of appropriate tools and processes. Central log collection, behavioral analysis and automatic notifications of suspicious activity allow for quick detection and response to threats. It is also worthwhile to regularly conduct penetration tests and security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities.

How can nFlo help you select and implement the optimal cloud solution?

As an experienced IT systems integrator, nFlo offers comprehensive support in the cloud transformation process. Our approach begins with a thorough analysis of the organization’s business needs and goals, allowing us to develop a migration strategy tailored to the client’s specific needs. We conduct a detailed inventory of the existing IT infrastructure and a migration readiness assessment, identifying potential risks and challenges.

In the area of security, nFlo leverages years of experience in cyber security to ensure secure migration and configuration of cloud environments. We offer comprehensive security audit services, implementation of access control mechanisms and security monitoring. Our experts help align security policies with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

We conduct the migration process in a phased manner, minimizing the risk of downtime and ensuring business continuity. We offer support in selecting the optimal cloud services, designing the solution architecture and optimizing costs. Our team also provides training and support for the client’s employees, helping to build internal competence in managing the cloud environment.

Once the migration is complete, nFlo offers maintenance support and optimization services for the cloud environment. We regularly monitor resource utilization, identify cost optimization opportunities and recommend improvements to increase operational efficiency. Our experts are available 24/7, providing quick response to any technical issues and support in developing the environment according to the growing needs of the organization.