AWS vs Azure vs GCP – Real Comparison (2025)
AWS vs Azure vs GCP – Real Comparison for 2025
Choosing the right cloud platform is one of the biggest decisions for companies, DevOps engineers, and startups.
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud (GCP) together dominate most of the cloud market. But:
- Which one is actually better?
- Which is cheaper?
- Which should you learn in 2025?
This article is a real-world comparison based on features, pricing, DevOps, Kubernetes, and job market.
Cloud Market Overview
- AWS – First mover, biggest ecosystem, tons of services
- Azure – Strong with enterprises using Microsoft stack
- GCP – Excellent for data, AI/ML, and Kubernetes
There is no “one best cloud” – each shines in different areas.
Market Leadership Snapshot
AWS (Amazon Web Services)
- Widest global adoption
- Mature services and documentation
- Huge community + certifications
Azure
- Strong for Microsoft-heavy environments
- Easy AD/Office 365 integration
GCP (Google Cloud Platform)
- Strong focus on analytics, ML, and Kubernetes
- Amazing developer experience
Pricing – Who Is Cheaper?
| Cloud | Pricing Model | Usually Cheaper For |
|---|---|---|
| AWS | On-demand, Reserved, Savings Plans | Long-running workloads |
| Azure | Pay-as-you-go, Hybrid benefits | Windows & .NET shops |
| GCP | Sustained & Committed discounts | Data/AI workloads |
There is no single cheapest cloud. It depends on workload.
Compute Services Comparison
AWS
- EC2
- Lambda
- EKS / ECS
- Fargate
Azure
- VMs & VM Scale Sets
- App Service
- Functions
- AKS
GCP
- Compute Engine
- Cloud Run
- GKE (best Kubernetes experience)
Storage Services
| Type | AWS | Azure | GCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Object Storage | S3 | Blob Storage | Cloud Storage |
| Block Storage | EBS | Managed Disks | Persistent Disk |
| File Storage | EFS / FSx | Files | Filestore |
| Archive | Glacier | Cool/Archive | Archive Storage |
S3 is the industry standard for object storage.
Networking
- AWS: Rich and granular VPC networking
- Azure: Strong hybrid cloud integration
- GCP: Global backbone network
For hybrid cloud → Azure
For global services → AWS + GCP
Kubernetes & Containers
| Cloud | Service |
|---|---|
| AWS | ECS, EKS, Fargate |
| Azure | AKS |
| GCP | GKE, Cloud Run |
If your work is heavily Kubernetes → GKE is the most developer-friendly.
DevOps & CI/CD
| Cloud | Tools |
|---|---|
| AWS | CodePipeline, CodeDeploy, CodeBuild |
| Azure | Azure DevOps (Repos, Pipelines, Boards) |
| GCP | Cloud Build, Cloud Deploy |
Azure DevOps is strongest for enterprise CI/CD.
Which Cloud Is Best for Jobs?
AWS
- Most jobs in cloud + DevOps roles
- Large community support
Azure
- Popular in MNCs, banks, and government
- Best if using AD/Windows/SQL stack
GCP
- Best for data engineers, ML engineers, analytics teams
What Should You Learn?
| Background | Best Cloud |
|---|---|
| Beginner | AWS |
| Enterprise engineer | Azure |
| Data / Analytics | GCP |
| Kubernetes focused | GCP or AWS |
| Startup / product work | AWS or GCP |
If confused → start with AWS.
Use-Case Comparison
| Use Case | Winner |
|---|---|
| Kubernetes | GCP (GKE) |
| Serverless | AWS Lambda |
| Hybrid Cloud | Azure |
| AI/ML | GCP |
| Global scalable apps | AWS |
Multi-Cloud Reality
Many real companies use multiple clouds:
- Backend & core on AWS
- Enterprise identity on Azure
- Data/AI workloads on GCP
Final Recommendation
- Choose AWS → best ecosystem + DevOps skills
- Choose Azure → best for enterprise + Microsoft world
- Choose GCP → best for ML + Kubernetes + analytics
There is no perfect cloud. Choose based on requirements, team skills, and workload.
FAQ
Which cloud is best in 2025?
AWS leads overall, Azure wins in enterprise, and GCP leads in ML + analytics.
Which cloud is cheapest?
Depends on workload and region.
Which cloud should beginners learn?
AWS offers the most accessible learning path.