AWS vs Azure vs GCP: a simple comparison
When you pick a cloud provider, the big three are AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud (GCP). Founders often agonise over the choice — but for most products, all three would work fine. Here's how to think about it.
The honest truth
These platforms are more alike than different for everyday needs: compute, storage, databases, networking — all three do it well, reliably, at global scale. You can build and grow a successful product on any of them. So rather than chasing a "winner," choose by what fits your situation.
Quick orientation
- AWS — the largest and most mature, with the broadest range of services. A safe default, with a deep talent pool.
- Azure — a natural fit if you're already in the Microsoft ecosystem (Windows, Office, enterprise tools).
- Google Cloud — strong in data, analytics and machine learning, with a clean developer experience.
What should actually decide it
Choose based on: what your team already knows (familiarity saves real time and money), what you're already using (existing contracts and tools), any specific service you need, and pricing for your particular workload. The provider your team can operate confidently is usually the right one.
Frequently asked questions
Which cloud is cheapest?
It depends entirely on your workload — all three have similar pricing models with different details. For most products the cost difference is smaller than the cost of choosing one your team can't operate well.
Can I switch clouds later?
It's possible but takes effort, especially if you've used provider-specific services heavily. Keeping your architecture reasonably portable reduces lock-in.
Do I have to pick just one?
Most teams should start with one for simplicity. Multi-cloud adds real complexity and is rarely worth it early on.
ZIVARA helps you choose and set up the right cloud for your product — without overspending. Let's talk. Related: cloud hosting for startups.