AWS vs Azure vs GCP: 2025 Cloud Platform Comparison

Cloud computing is the backbone of modern digital transformation, and the three giants—Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP)—dominate the landscape. Each offers a robust suite of services, but their strengths, pricing, and ideal use cases differ. Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right cloud provider for your needs in 2025.

Market Share and Growth

AWS remains the market leader, holding about 31% of the global cloud market. Its dominance is built on maturity, reliability, and the breadth of its services.

Azure is rapidly closing the gap, now with a 25% market share, thanks to deep integration with Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem and aggressive growth strategies.

GCP trails with 11%, but it’s growing steadily, especially in AI, analytics, and open-source-friendly environments.

Feature Comparison

Feature	AWS	Azure	GCP
Compute	EC2, Lambda, Beanstalk, ECS, EKS	Virtual Machines, AKS, Functions, Batch	Compute Engine, App Engine, GKE, Functions
Storage	S3, EBS, EFS, Glacier	Blob, Disk, File, Data Lake	Cloud Storage, Persistent Disk
AI/ML	SageMaker, Lex, Polly, Rekognition	Cognitive Services, ML, Bot Service	AI Platform, AutoML, Vertex AI
Database	RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, Redshift	SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Data Warehouse	Cloud SQL, Bigtable, Spanner
Serverless	Lambda	Functions	Cloud Functions
Hybrid Cloud	Outposts	Azure Arc, Azure Stack	Anthos
Security	Security Hub, Inspector, Trusted Advisor	Security Center, Compliance Manager	Security Command Center
Regions/Zones	32 regions, 102 availability zones	60+ regions	38 regions, 115 zones

Pricing Comparison

Cloud pricing is complex and depends on usage, instance type, and discounts. Here’s a snapshot for comparable virtual machines (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM):

Provider	Price per Month (Smallest Instance)	Price per Hour (Largest Instance)
AWS	~$69	~$3.97
Azure	~$70	~$6.79
GCP	~$52	~$5.32

GCP is generally the most cost-effective for basic compute, especially with sustained use discounts and per-second billing.

AWS and Azure are closely matched for entry-level instances, but Azure’s enterprise discounts can be significant for Microsoft-centric organizations.

Strengths and Weaknesses

AWS

Strengths: Most mature, widest range of services, global reach, high reliability and security.

Weaknesses: Can be overwhelming for beginners, fewer hybrid options, premium support costs extra.

Azure

Strengths: Seamless integration with Microsoft products, strong hybrid cloud support, competitive pricing for enterprises.

Weaknesses: Fewer total services than AWS, best suited for business customers.

GCP

Strengths: Leader in AI/ML, excellent for containerized workloads, cost-effective, strong open-source support.

Weaknesses: Smaller service catalog, less enterprise adoption, limited support for some legacy workloads.

Security & Compliance

All three providers meet major compliance standards (ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, FedRAMP). Each offers robust security tools:

AWS: Shared Responsibility Model, Inspector, Trusted Advisor.

Azure: Security Center, Compliance Manager.

GCP: Security Command Center, Compliance Reports Manager.

Who Should Choose Which?

AWS: Best for organizations needing the broadest service selection, global reach, and proven reliability.

Azure: Ideal for enterprises heavily invested in Microsoft technologies or requiring hybrid cloud.

GCP: Suited for startups, data-driven companies, and those prioritizing AI, analytics, or open-source compatibility.

Conclusion

The right cloud platform depends on your business needs, existing tech stack, and future goals. AWS leads in maturity and breadth, Azure excels in enterprise integration, and GCP stands out in AI and cost efficiency. Evaluate your workloads, regulatory requirements, and growth plans to make the best choice for your cloud journey.