Software · head to head
AWS GovCloud vs Google Cloud for Government
The short version
- Only Google Cloud for Government has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: AWS GovCloud access is restricted to vetted US entities, with account holders screened for US citizenship or permanent residency; Google Cloud for Government the free tier gives new customers $300 in credits, and the 20+ always-free products are capped by monthly usage limits
- They diverge on capability: AWS GovCloud covers ITAR Compliant, Google Cloud for Government covers Data Analytics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which AWS GovCloud and Google Cloud for Government actually diverge.
| Attribute | AWS GovCloud | Google Cloud for Government |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2006 | 2008 |
Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), platforms (Web, Cli, Sdk), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in AWS GovCloud
- ITAR Compliant
- DOD SRG Levels
- Isolated Infrastructure
- Full AWS Services
- Government Systems
- Security Tools
Only in Google Cloud for Government
- Data Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Kubernetes
- Assured Workloads
- Workspace
- Chronicle
Both cover
- FedRAMP High Authorized
- Third-party Tools
- Web support
- Cli support
- Sdk support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
AWS GovCloud
- Hosting controlled unclassified information for US federal agenciesnot Google Cloud for Government
- Workloads requiring FedRAMP High, ITAR or DFARS compliancenot Google Cloud for Government
- Defence and public sector systems needing US-person operationnot Google Cloud for Government
- Regulated contractors handling government datanot Google Cloud for Government
Google Cloud for Government
- Running public sector workloads on Google Cloud compute and storagenot AWS GovCloud
- Data analytics and AI for government agenciesnot AWS GovCloud
- Migrating agency applications off on-premises infrastructurenot AWS GovCloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
AWS GovCloud
- Access is restricted to vetted US entities, with account holders screened for US citizenship or permanent residency
- Separate IAM, console, CLI and APIs from commercial AWS, so accounts and tooling do not carry across
- Not every AWS service is available in the two GovCloud regions
- Pricing is not published on the product page
Google Cloud for Government
- The free tier gives new customers $300 in credits, and the 20+ always-free products are capped by monthly usage limits
- Pricing is pay as you go and varies by product and usage, so there is no single published rate for the platform
- Committed use discounts of up to 57% require pre-paying for resources rather than being available on demand
- Organizations are directed to request a quote rather than being given a published organizational price
Pricing, plan by plan
AWS GovCloud
On request- Pay-as-you-goFree
- Compute
- Storage
- Database
Google Cloud for Government
Free- Pay-as-you-goFree
- Compute Engine
- Cloud Storage
- BigQuery
Which should you pick?
Choose AWS GovCloud if
- You need itar compliant.
- You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
- You also want dod srg levels.
Choose Google Cloud for Government if
- You need data analytics.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
- You also want machine learning.
Questions people ask
- Is AWS GovCloud or Google Cloud for Government better?
- Neither clearly leads. AWS GovCloud starts at On request and Google Cloud for Government at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, AWS GovCloud or Google Cloud for Government?
- Google Cloud for Government has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for AWS GovCloud and Free for Google Cloud for Government.
- Does AWS GovCloud or Google Cloud for Government run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, Cli, Sdk, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Google Cloud for Government for free?
- Yes. Google Cloud for Government has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AWS GovCloud starts at On request.
- What is AWS GovCloud best used for?
- AWS GovCloud is most often used for hosting controlled unclassified information for us federal agencies, workloads requiring fedramp high, itar or dfars compliance, defence and public sector systems needing us-person operation, regulated contractors handling government data. Of those, hosting controlled unclassified information for us federal agencies and workloads requiring fedramp high, itar or dfars compliance are not what Google Cloud for Government is typically brought in for.
- What can AWS GovCloud do that Google Cloud for Government cannot?
- AWS GovCloud covers ITAR Compliant, DOD SRG Levels, Isolated Infrastructure, Full AWS Services. Google Cloud for Government covers Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Kubernetes, Assured Workloads. Both handle FedRAMP High Authorized, Third-party Tools, Web support, Cli support.