AWS vs Google Cloud: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for AWS and Google Cloud side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
AWS
The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
Best for you if:
- • You want most comprehensive cloud platform
Google Cloud
Enterprise cloud with AI/ML strengths and BigQuery
Best for you if:
- • You want excellent for data and AI/ML
| At a Glance | AWS | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan |
Category | Cloud & Infrastructure Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 17,730 reviews | 4.6/5 Capterra 4.6 556 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Data transfer out: First 100GB/month is free, then $0.09/GB. | Network egress is the universal cloud tax: $0.12/GB for internet egress (after first 1 GB free in most regions). |
Choose AWS or Google Cloud?
Choose AWS if
- You want most comprehensive cloud platform
- You want global infrastructure (200+ services)
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not hosting & deployment
Choose Google Cloud if
- You want excellent for data and AI/ML
- You want BigQuery is industry-leading
- You work in hosting & deployment, not cloud & infrastructure
In-Depth Analysis
AWS
The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
AWS dominates cloud infrastructure with 31% market share and the broadest service catalog (200+ services), but that breadth is also its biggest cost trap.
Watch out
Data transfer out: First 100GB/month is free, then $0.09/GB.
Strengths
- Pro: Most comprehensive cloud platform
- Pro: Global infrastructure (200+ services)
- Pro: Industry standard for enterprise
- Pro: Excellent documentation
- Pro: Strong security and compliance
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex pricing model
- Con: Steep learning curve
- Con: Bill surprises common
- Con: UI dated and confusing
- Con: Vendor lock-in risk
Key features
Google Cloud
Enterprise cloud with AI/ML strengths and BigQuery
Google Cloud is the third-largest cloud provider (12% market share behind AWS at 31% and Azure at 25%) but leads in two areas: data analytics (BigQuery is best-in-class) and serverless containers (Cloud Run).
Watch out
Network egress is the universal cloud tax: $0.12/GB for internet egress (after first 1 GB free in most regions).
Strengths
- Pro: Excellent for data and AI/ML
- Pro: BigQuery is industry-leading
- Pro: Good Kubernetes support (GKE)
- Pro: Competitive pricing
- Pro: Strong networking
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller market share than AWS
- Con: Support can be difficult
- Con: Product shutdowns (Google history)
- Con: Less services than AWS
- Con: Documentation gaps
Key features
Plans and prices: AWS vs Google Cloud
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AWS |
| aws.amazon.com/pricing read Oct 14, 2026 |
| Google Cloud |
| cloud.google.com/pricing read Oct 10, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on AWS pricing and Google Cloud pricing.
Key Takeaways
AWS
- Choose if you want the cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet
Google Cloud
- Choose if you want enterprise cloud with AI/ML strengths and BigQuery
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 17,730 reviews for AWS, 4.6/5 from 556 reviews for Google Cloud).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do AWS and Google Cloud compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 17,730 reviews for AWS, 4.6/5 from 556 reviews for Google Cloud). Both have a free plan.
What are AWS and Google Cloud used for?
AWS: The cloud infrastructure that powers half the internet. Google Cloud: Enterprise cloud with AI/ML strengths and BigQuery.
What does AWS cost vs Google Cloud?
AWS has no public paid-plan price on file. Google Cloud has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 14, 2026.
What's the main difference between AWS and Google Cloud?
AWS's main strength: most comprehensive cloud platform. Google Cloud's main strength: excellent for data and AI/ML.