Published: 04/25/2019
Cloud Competitor Comparison
Currently, AWS, Azure, Google, and IBM are the four most popular public cloud providers, followed by Alibaba. What happens when you put the top three cloud services head-to-head?
In terms of similarities, each cloud service is comprised of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) elements. These cloud computing elements allow enterprises to get their applications up and running quicker with improved manageability and less maintenance. Cloud computing services are capable of running your entire IT environment from the cloud, limiting your on-site hardware needs. Where they differ is with pricing structure, ease-of-use, support, integrations, and bandwidth. However, like most things in life, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to the best plan for your business. Each cloud service should be selected on a case-by-case basis.
Amazon Web Service (AWS)
AWS is an extensive, expanding cloud computing platform. Currently, AWS offers a wide range of services including compute, storage, database, analytics, networking and content delivery, management tools, and more.
Since its inception in 2006, AWS is continually evolving and expanding making it the most commonly used cloud service provider today. According to a report from Synergy Research Group, AWS owned 34% of the market in Q4 of 2018 (see graph below). With AWS accounting for 55% of the Amazon’s operating profit in Q2 of 2018.
AWS Pros
AWS offers over 100 highly-configurable, feature-rich services.
AWS regularly updates services and applications offered.
AWS has a pay-as-you-go and pay-as-you-use model.
AWS offers a Partner Network (APN) to assist in an infrastructure transition process – if needed.
AWS has 60 regions with 12 more on the way – more than any other cloud provider.
AWS Cons
AWS can be a little too complex for some users due to the abundance of options.
AWS doesn’t offer unlimited bandwidth or disk space.
AWS charges you for immediate support.
AWS has a high variance in performance.
Microsoft Azure
Following its release in 2010, Microsoft’s cloud service, Azure, has been a popular choice amongst cloud providers. This is especially true with enterprises using other Microsoft services such as Microsoft 365. While AWS retains the biggest marketshare, Azure is growing at a quicker pace. Azure services include building, testing, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
Azure Pros
Azure, like AWS, offers good scalability options with their pay-as-you-use model.
Azure, like AWS, offers over 100 highly configurable, feature-rich services.
Azure has 54 regions with 10 more on the way.
Azure seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services.
Azure offers a service level agreement of 99.95% which is around 4 hours of downtime a year.
Azure is a leader in IaaS security.
Azure Cons
Azure can be slow in some regions, such as South America, Africa, or Canada.
Azure, like AWS, can be a little too complex for some users due to the abundant availability of options.
Azure has very little automation.
Azure doesn’t come standard with support.
Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a series of cloud computing services including computing, data storage, machine learning, and data analytics. A little later in the game than AWS and Azure, GCP became available to the public in 2011 using the same infrastructure that Google uses internally for its end-user products, such as Youtube and Google Search. Although GCP isn’t as popular of a cloud provider, they are quickly trying to expand their services and offerings to compete with AWS and Azure.
GCP Pros
Google has a large number of data centers on par with AWS.
Google Cloud is easy to integrate with other Google services.
Google offers many regions to store your data – North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Google provides good documentation.
Google has one of the best free layers.
Google lets you try out different SDK’s for free.
Google has partnerships with open source-centric companies.
gCP Cons
Google storage options aren’t discounted the more you use like AWS and Azure.
Google technical support isn’t free and will cost you more than other providers.
Google has a complex pricing schema.
Google offers fewer services than AWS and Azure.
Cloud Providers Market Share (Q4, 2018)
Whether it’s AWS or GCP, the cloud computing market as a whole is growing. Companies with initial reservations are beginning to adopt cloud services. “Cloud shift highlights the appeal of greater flexibility and agility, which is perceived as a benefit of on-demand capacity and pay-as-you-go pricing in cloud,” said Michael Warrilow, research vice president at Gartner.
Looking at the numbers, AWS reported that in Q4 of 2018, they saw revenue grow 45% year-over-year, hitting $7.4 billion. In contrast, Microsoft reported that revenue for Azure increased 76%. With the overall market being expected to grow by roughly 17.5% in 2019 over 2018 levels.
Which Cloud Provider is Best for You?
Like most things in life, there is no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to the best cloud provider. Each solution should be established on a case-by-case basis. The best approach is to begin by determining your specific needs and existing infrastructure.
Some factors you will want to consider beforehand are:
What features do you need?
What is your budget?
Are you looking to expand/reduce your features in the future?
What expertise do you or your IT department have?
Do you need to integrate your cloud account with other software?
As previously mentioned, currently, most businesses tend to use AWS or Azure cloud services. While Google Cloud Platform is slowly trying to gain a larger presence in the marketplace, it has a lot of catching up to do. Until then, I would recommend sticking with either AWS or Azure.
How perk-it Can Help
With cloud solutions from perk-it, maintaining your IT has never been easier. Your technology, software, and applications can all be hosted, eliminating the cost of investing in hardware, software, and spending extra time on employee training. Cloud computing services from perk-it are scalable, tailor-made and affordable, saving you money, eliminating headaches, and letting you focus on your business. Feel free to give us a call at (801) 910-9838 or if you prefer, by completing our contact form.
Terms & Abbreviations
CSP - A Cloud Service Provider is a company that offers some form of cloud computing – typically IaaS, SaaS, or PaaS.
IaaS - Infrastructure as a Service is a form of a cloud computing service whereby hardware (i.e. servers, storage) is provided and managed for you.
SaaS - Software as a Service lets users gain access to application software and databases.
PaaS - Platform as a Service is an addition to hardware, your operating system is managed for you.
Statistics
In 2019, the Cloud Solutions market is expected to grow by roughly 17.5% from 2018.
Globally, in 2018, the IT market reached 3.65 trillion U.S. dollars, with IT services spending representing more than a quarter of the market.
According to Wikibon, they project the True Private Cloud global market will experience a compound annual growth rate of 29.2%, reaching $262.4B by 2027.
28% of spending in key IT segments will shift to the cloud by 2022.
