Software · head to head
Azure Government 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: Azure Government restricted to US government entities, their solution providers and contractors handling government data, with Microsoft validating eligibility first; 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: Azure Government covers DOD IL5 Approved, Google Cloud for Government covers Data Analytics.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Azure Government and Google Cloud for Government actually diverge.
| Attribute | Azure Government | Google Cloud for Government |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 1975 | 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 Azure Government
- DOD IL5 Approved
- Isolated Datacenters
- Hybrid Cloud
- AI & ML Services
- Microsoft 365
- Dynamics 365
- Power Platform
Only in Google Cloud for Government
- Data Analytics
- Machine Learning
- Kubernetes
- Assured Workloads
- Workspace
- Chronicle
- Third-party Tools
Both cover
- FedRAMP High Authorized
- Web support
- Cli support
- Sdk support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Azure Government
- Hosting US government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentresnot Google Cloud for Government
- Systems needing FedRAMP High, DoD IL2 to IL5, CJIS or ITAR authorisationnot Google Cloud for Government
- State, local and tribal government cloud servicesnot Google Cloud for Government
- Contractors processing controlled government datanot Google Cloud for Government
Google Cloud for Government
- Running public sector workloads on Google Cloud compute and storagenot Azure Government
- Data analytics and AI for government agenciesnot Azure Government
- Migrating agency applications off on-premises infrastructurenot Azure Government
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Azure Government
- Restricted to US government entities, their solution providers and contractors handling government data, with Microsoft validating eligibility first
- A narrower service catalogue than commercial Azure
- New features arrive later than in the commercial regions
- Pricing is not published and runs through federal contract vehicles such as JWCC, GSA and NASA SEWP
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
Azure Government
On request- Pay-as-you-goFree
- Virtual Machines
- Azure SQL
- Storage
Google Cloud for Government
Free- Pay-as-you-goFree
- Compute Engine
- Cloud Storage
- BigQuery
Which should you pick?
Choose Azure Government if
- You need dod il5 approved.
- You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
- You also want isolated datacenters.
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 Azure Government or Google Cloud for Government better?
- Neither clearly leads. Azure Government 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, Azure Government or Google Cloud for Government?
- Google Cloud for Government has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Azure Government and Free for Google Cloud for Government.
- Does Azure Government 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. Azure Government starts at On request.
- What is Azure Government best used for?
- Azure Government is most often used for hosting us government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentres, systems needing fedramp high, dod il2 to il5, cjis or itar authorisation, state, local and tribal government cloud services, contractors processing controlled government data. Of those, hosting us government workloads in dedicated domestic datacentres and systems needing fedramp high, dod il2 to il5, cjis or itar authorisation are not what Google Cloud for Government is typically brought in for.
- What can Azure Government do that Google Cloud for Government cannot?
- Azure Government covers DOD IL5 Approved, Isolated Datacenters, Hybrid Cloud, AI & ML Services. Google Cloud for Government covers Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Kubernetes, Assured Workloads. Both handle FedRAMP High Authorized, Web support, Cli support, Sdk support.