2021 Cloud Provider Comparison: AWS vs Azure vs GCP – Key Features and Leadership Areas

Introduction

2021 was an important year for cloud computing, with major developments across AWS, Azure, and GCP. Let’s dive into the key features and compare where each provider excelled.

Service Leadership by Provider

AWS Leadership Areas

1. Container Services

• Amazon ECS and EKS showed maturity in:
  • Advanced scalability features
  • Deeper integration with AWS services
  • Enhanced security controls
  • Cost optimization capabilities

2. Serverless Computing

• AWS Lambda remained dominant due to:
  • Advanced cold start improvements
  • Container image support
  • Enhanced debugging capabilities
  • Extension of maximum runtime

3. Database Services

-- Amazon Aurora improvements
CREATE DATABASE my_database
WITH GLOBAL TABLES
ENABLED IN ('us-east-1', 'eu-west-1');

Azure Leadership Areas

1. Hybrid Cloud Solutions

• Azure Arc excelled with:
  • Multi-cloud management
  • On-premises integration
  • Kubernetes deployment flexibility
  • Enhanced security features

2. Machine Learning Platforms

• Azure ML leadership through:
  • AutoML advancements
  • Enhanced MLOps capabilities
  • Improved model monitoring
  • Better integration with other services

3. Identity Management

{
  "azureAD": {
    "singleSignOn": true,
    "conditionalAccess": true,
    "multiFactorAuth": {
      "enabled": true,
      "methods": ["app", "sms", "call"]
    }
  }
}

GCP Leadership Areas

1. Big Data Analytics

• BigQuery dominance through:
  • Enhanced ML capabilities
  • Improved query performance
  • Better cost controls
  • Advanced data sharing

2. AI and Machine Learning

• Superior AI services including:
  • Enhanced AutoML capabilities
  • Advanced Vision AI
  • Natural Language improvements
  • Speech-to-Text advancements

3. Kubernetes Services

apiVersion: v1
kind: Service
metadata:
  name: gke-service
  annotations:
    cloud.google.com/neg: '{"ingress": true}'
spec:
  type: LoadBalancer

Feature Comparison Matrix

Compute Services

FeatureAWSAzureGCPVM Types400+200+150+Container SupportStrongStrongExcellentServerlessExcellentGoodGoodBare MetalYesLimitedNo

Storage Services

FeatureAWSAzureGCPObject StorageS3 (Excellent)Blob (Good)Cloud Storage (Good)Block StorageEBS (Excellent)Managed Disks (Good)Persistent Disk (Good)File StorageEFS (Good)Files (Excellent)Filestore (Good)

Database Services

FeatureAWSAzureGCPRelationalAurora (Excellent)SQL DB (Good)Cloud SQL (Good)NoSQLDynamoDB (Excellent)Cosmos DB (Excellent)Bigtable (Good)Data WarehouseRedshift (Good)Synapse (Good)BigQuery (Excellent)

Cost Comparison

Virtual Machines

# Example cost comparison for general-purpose VMs (2021 pricing)
costs = {
    'AWS_t3.xlarge': '$0.1664 per hour',
    'Azure_D4s_v3': '$0.192 per hour',
    'GCP_n2-standard-4': '$0.1896 per hour'
}

Performance Benchmarks

Database Performance

1. Transaction Processing

• AWS Aurora: 200,000 TPS
• Azure SQL: 175,000 TPS
• Google Cloud SQL: 160,000 TPS

Storage Performance

1. Object Storage Latency

• AWS S3: 100-200ms
• Azure Blob: 120-220ms
• Google Cloud Storage: 110-210ms

Security Features

AWS Security Leadership

1. AWS Shield

• Advanced DDoS protection
• WAF integration
• Real-time metrics
• 24/7 support

Azure Security Leadership

1. Azure Sentinel

• SIEM capabilities
• AI-powered analysis
• Threat intelligence
• Automated response

GCP Security Leadership

1. Cloud Armor

• DDoS protection
• WAF capabilities
• Edge security
• Global load balancing

Market Position 2021

Market Share

1. AWS: ~32%
2. Azure: ~20%
3. GCP: ~9%

Unique Differentiators

AWS

1. Broadest service portfolio
2. Most mature marketplace
3. Largest global infrastructure

Azure

1. Best hybrid cloud solutions
2. Strong enterprise integration
3. Comprehensive compliance offerings

GCP

1. Leading AI/ML capabilities
2. Superior data analytics
3. Advanced networking technologies

Recommendations by Use Case

Enterprise Applications

• Recommendation: Azure
• Reasons:
  • Strong enterprise integration
  • Comprehensive hybrid solutions
  • Familiar Microsoft ecosystem

Startups

• Recommendation: AWS
• Reasons:
  • Extensive free tier
  • Comprehensive documentation
  • Large community support

Data Analytics

• Recommendation: GCP
• Reasons:
  • Superior analytics tools
  • BigQuery capabilities
  • ML integration

Conclusion

2021 showed each cloud provider developing distinct strengths:

1. AWS: Maintained leadership in core infrastructure and serverless computing
2. Azure: Excelled in hybrid cloud and enterprise integration
3. GCP: Led in data analytics and machine learning

Organizations should:

• Evaluate specific use case requirements
• Consider multi-cloud strategies
• Focus on cloud-native architectures
• Monitor evolving service offerings
• Plan for cost optimization

The cloud market matured further in 2021, with all the providers providing solutions for different use cases that are compelling. One needs to understand these differences to make informed decisions about cloud adoption and migration strategies.
Remember that cloud services evolve rapidly, and regular re-evaluation of cloud strategies is essential for maintaining competitive advantage and cost efficiency.

Hope you enjoyed the post.

Cheers

Ramasankar Molleti

LinkedIn