Aws V/s Google Cloud V/s DigitalOcean: What’s right for your business in 2021
Companies are continuing to migrate to cloud computing. You are not alone in seeking the additional benefits of cloud technology, whether you are employing a single cloud service or moving your complete infrastructure into a new cloud ecosystem. Several reasons are there behind the migration to the cloud, ranging from increased scalability, security, and flexibility to the cost and environmental benefits. The transition is not as simple as it was before.
Since its conception, the cloud ecosystem has evolved into a complex, ever-expanding slew of providers, technology, goods, and services. As you try to piece together the various combinations across these verticals, your possibilities soon grow into the thousands. It immediately becomes clear that there is such a thing as having too many options.
A few firms rise above the competition to become market leaders. Three names stand out when it comes to cloud computing services: Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, and DigitalOcean.
In this article, we will compare three cloud giants, Google Cloud Platform, DigitalOcean and Amazon Web Services. We’ll go deep into each provider’s products and services.
What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is an Amazon cloud service platform that delivers services in many domains such as computing, storage, delivery, and other functionality that helps businesses scale and develop. AWS uses these domains in the form of services, which can utilize to develop and deploy many sorts of cloud applications. These services are meant to complement one another and provide a scalable and efficient result.
There are three types of AWS services: infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS) (PaaS). AWS was founded in 2006 and since then it has become the most widely used cloud platform.
Why AWS?
Pros:
1) User-friendly
AWS is simple to use since the platform was developed with quick and secure access. Users have complete control over their data and can make changes anytime and anywhere they want. Starting with AWS as a cloud provider is significantly easier for most businesses than Azure or Google Cloud Platform. AWS provides all of the necessary information, documentation, and video tutorials to assist you in learning how to utilize all of its services.
2) Flexible
Many companies favour AWS because of its flexibility. It always allows you to use your preferred operating systems, programming languages, and web application platforms. You can set up your desired operating systems and applications with a service like AWS EC2 to build your virtual computing environment. AWS perks give you access to all of the finest services that your app needs to run smoothly. It can also assist with Migration and allow you to work on new solutions at the same time.
3) Secure
One of the most appealing aspects of AWS cloud computing is security. As we all know, security is a top priority for any data-driven organization. AWS delivers a highly secure framework to protect your data’s privacy. AWS security experts adhere to several layers of data surveillance, such as:
- Data security
- Identity and Access Management
- Infrastructure Security
- Detection of threats and ongoing monitoring
- Data security and compliance
It’s an end-to-end solution that allows organizations to focus on growing their business rather than worrying about confidentiality.
4) Scalable and Elastic
AWS is scalable because the AWS Auto Scaling service automatically raises the capacity of restricted resources based on requirements, ensuring that the application is always available. AWS makes it simple to spin up new servers. If you need to add extra servers, AWS allows you to do so in a matter of minutes.
One of the benefits of AWS is its elasticity. If you utilize fewer resources and don’t need the rest, AWS will reduce the resources to meet your needs. That is, resource upsizing and downsizing are simple here. In addition, AWS constantly informs you of the number of resources you are currently utilizing.
5) High Performance
High-performance computing (HPC) refers to the ability to process large amounts of data quickly. It has become extremely important for businesses to increase production and compete with one another. AWS provides a high-performance computing solution so that companies do not have to worry about speed.
Cons
1) Limitations
There are certain restrictions on EC2 and security in AWS. Companies that utilize AWS will have access to default resources. However, the issue arises when default resource limitations differ by location. Even though they may request additional resources, businesses consider AWS to be a disadvantage.
2) Lack of Experts
AWS is the most recent invention with complex architecture. Companies using Amazon Web Services as their cloud computing platform are looking for experts to work on the cloud infrastructure. However, just a few experts are familiar with AWS or any other cloud provider. Companies are willing to invest in them but are facing difficulties in hiring the ideal people to work on AWS to drive these firms to greater success. In terms of time and money, this might be a drawback of AWS.
3) Price Variations
The cost of AWS services differs by area due to factors such as the cost of land, fiber, power, and taxes. Variations arise when you require additional technical assistance. Developer, Business, and Enterprise are the three possible packages, and the prices vary accordingly. This will have an impact on your monthly cost. However, services such as Amazon CloudWatch allow you to monitor your service usage, and Serverless Data Lake enables you to calculate the cost of services in your region.
4) General Issues
Amazon is a massive corporation with millions of clients; thus, it is experiencing some temporary Cloud Computing difficulties. Users may experience server downtime. It might be due to a power failure or a loss of network connectivity with the cloud provider.
What is Google Cloud?
GCP stands for “Google Cloud Platform,” a Google cloud service that combines Cloud Datastore, Google Compute Engine, Big Query, and other Google cloud services into a single package, with a focus on the App Engine, a Platform as a Service. It also assists in utilizing Google’s infrastructure services, as well as offers secure, intelligent, and highly adaptable services.
Why Google Cloud?
Pros:
1) Control and Security
Google has developed its security architecture, which is now used to protect Gmail, YouTube, and other products. Google has hired a significant number of Security Professionals to assist in the protection of data on servers. The data stored on Cloud Platform Services are all encrypted. Google has a robust network of ISPs, which aids in the security of their network. Google is also investing in process-based security to protect its network or data.
2) Live Migration
“Live Migration” is one of the most appealing features of Google Cloud Hosting. It’s the biggest perk because Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure don’t offer it. It is simply a migration of Virtual Machines. Google Cloud Hosting enables customers to move their machines because of its huge network.
3) Private Network
The private network provides users with optimum time and efficiency. A private network means that Google provides each customer with its network to enhance the control and scalability of the network.
4) Higher Uptime and Reliability
If a data center is unavailable for whatever reason, the system quickly switches to the secondary centre, with no visible service disruption to users.
Cons
1) Not secured
Sometimes, the security system finds suspicious activity on the server. Alarms always turn out to be false, but it is impossible to use the platform during such failures. Less security increases the risk of data leakage in the public. Additionally, the configuration of permissions can be a bit confusing at times.
2) Small Component
Google Cloud has a small component that makes it unsuitable for many professionals. Additionally, it creates problems in restarting as well.
3) Doesn’t work at low-speed internet
Google Cloud needs a high-speed internet connection. Thus if the internet speed is low you will surely meet with the problem. However, this can be resolved but one needs to take care of internet speed.
4) Costly
As compared to other platforms, Google Cloud doesn’t provide a free trial. Thus, it costs everything and overall loses your balance.
What is the Digital Ocean?
DigitalOcean is a well-known cloud service provider with a robust structure and a wide range of services. It is mostly used for application and website hosting, and users prefer it because of its simplicity. The data centers of the Digital Ocean provide applications with a high level of security. Developers establish a remote virtual machine (VM) instance, known as a “droplet.” Users of the platform can operate their applications using a web-based UI or CLI – Command Line Interface. Because of its stability, the DigitalOcean IaaS platform is a popular choice for many significant business clients worldwide. It allows users to choose data centers for applications, Droplet size, and geographical location.
Features
1) Droplets
Droplets are Linux-based virtual machines that run on virtualized systems. Users can create an unlimited number of Droplets based on their needs. They can be used independently or as part of more extensive cloud infrastructure.
2) Block Storage
Digital Ocean’s storage function is called Block Storage. It allows users to build and maintain large applications by quickly scaling their Storage. Storage scaling up to 16TB is possible with Block Storage, which is very reliable.
3) Object Storage
Digital Ocean’s Object Storage feature is a data storage architecture. Instead of being stored in blocks, it allows the user to store and manage data as an object. This functionality can assist your company in establishing a strong content delivery network infrastructure.
4) Kubernetes
Digital Ocean offers Kubernetes managed services for businesses. This functionality enables users to deploy Kubernetes quickly and efficiently. Any supported environment can execute DigitalOcean Kubernetes apps.
5) Snapshots
Snapshots are a disc imaging tool that allows you to clone Droplets or volumes. They enable users to build new volumes and Droplets with similar contents. It is a useful function for conserving one’s assets and does not have a storage time restriction.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
1) Easy to Use
Digital Ocean allows you to host your website and manage it easily with a C-Panel. This way, you can install WordPress or another CMS or application that it provides with a single click.
2) Remarkable Performance
Every developer wants top-tier performance from their cloud hosting providers. They do not want to waste their time in the hustle and bustle of server maintenance, and Digital Ocean does not disappoint in this aspect. It was one of the first companies to offer SSD-based virtual machines, and it used IPv6 before other service providers ever thought about it. The droplets provided by Digital Ocean have a lightning-speed boot time of around 55 seconds.
3) Documentation
The official document is the most acceptable method to understand any resource. The documentation provided by Digital Ocean is thorough and informative. It includes lessons, installation guidelines, how-to guides, and an overview of everything. This functionality is beneficial for developers who work on any cloud platform.
4) Affordable Pricing
Its price differentiates it from other cloud computing firms that provide similar hosting services. Their base plan is $5 per month, and with hourly and monthly payment choices, it is incredibly inexpensive for small companies and individual software developers to use their platform. Despite the cost-effective arrangements for software developers, it ensured outstanding performance, which appeared to be the driving force behind their success.
Cons:
1) Limited Locations
As compared to other cloud providers, Digital Ocean has a limited number of deployment locations. It consists of eight regions spread throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. South America and Oceania have no data centres.
2) No Free Tier
Digital Ocean’s services do not have a free tier. Considering that most major cloud providers provide a free tier, this is regarded as a disadvantage of Digital Ocean.
3) Limited Products
In comparison to other cloud providers, Digital Ocean offers a limited range of products and services. Digital Ocean primarily provides:
- Kubernetes
- Databases
- App Platform
- Block Storage
- Object Storage
- Networking (VPC, Load Balancers, IPs, DNS, and Firewalls)
- Developer Tools
- Virtual Machines
AWS v/s Google Cloud v/s DigitalOcean
Who is the Winner? AWS or Google Cloud v/s DigitalOcean
All three cloud providers have their advantages and disadvantages, but if we summarize the blog, we can conclude that AWS has been in the market for too long and has a large market share, but it does not imply that Google and DigitalOcean are falling behind. Despite being new to the game, Google and DigitalOcean are developing rapidly, and some unique characteristics such as their fantastic pricing, free tier, and machine learning, will undoubtedly give AWS and other Cloud Platforms tough competition.
I hope this blog on Google Cloud vs. AWS v/s DigitalOcean was informative and added value to your knowledge. Do you have a question for us? Please let us know in the comments section, and we will get back to you.
