⏳Do you want to skip the read and jump straight to my pick? Between DigitalOcean and Google Cloud Platform, the better hosting for most people is DigitalOcean.
Introduction to DigitalOcean vs Google Cloud Platform
With the world becoming more digital, corporations require high-performing servers and databases. To meet customer needs, secure, confidential data, and all networking and computing, powerful cloud servers are needed.
DigitalOcean and Google Cloud Platform are respectable companies regarding cloud hosting. It somewhat becomes challenging to choose between the two. Well, I got you covered. Here is a detailed comparison between the two.
Quick Comparison Table DigitalOcean vs Google Cloud Platform
| Attribute | DigitalOcean | Google Cloud Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Hosting | Cloud Infrastructure, VPS Hosting | Cloud Infrastructure, VPS Hosting |
| Features | SSD storage, Droplets for virtual servers, Kubernetes for container orchestration, Managed databases, Developer-friendly tools | Wide range of cloud services, Compute Engine for virtual servers, Kubernetes Engine for container orchestration, Managed databases, BigQuery for data analytics |
| Performance | SSD storage, Multiple data center locations, Fast provisioning, Monitoring and alerting | SSD storage, Data centers worldwide, High-performance networking, Monitoring and logging, Autoscaling |
| Security Features | Firewalls, DDoS protection, Private networking, Regular security updates, Data encryption | Firewalls, DDoS protection, Private networking, IAM for access control, Encryption options, Security and compliance certifications |
| Pricing and Plans | Transparent pricing with hourly and monthly billing, Various Droplet and service plans | Flexible pricing with pay-as-you-go or committed use discounts, Various Compute Engine and service plans |
| Money-Back Guarantee | No money-back guarantee | No money-back guarantee |
| Customer Support | Developer-focused documentation, Community forum, Ticket-based support | 24/7 customer support, Extensive documentation, Support packages available |
| Scalability | Suitable for small to enterprise-level applications | Suitable for small to enterprise-level applications |
| User Reviews Ratings | Positive reviews for developer-friendly features and simplicity | Positive reviews for performance and scalability, developer-friendly tools |
| Environment Friendliness | Commitment to renewable energy sources | Commitment to renewable energy sources and carbon neutrality |
| My View | DigitalOcean offers user-friendly cloud hosting with developer-friendly tools, but lacks a money-back guarantee. Google Cloud Platform provides a comprehensive suite of cloud services with a focus on performance and scalability. Consider your specific hosting needs, budget, and the importance of a money-back guarantee when making a choice. Both providers are committed to environmental sustainability. | DigitalOcean provides straightforward cloud hosting with a developer focus, though it lacks a money-back guarantee. Google Cloud Platform offers an extensive array of cloud services with a strong emphasis on performance and scalability. Your choice should align with your specific hosting requirements, budget, and environmental considerations. Both providers are committed to sustainability. |
Overview Of DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud
You must be wondering, in the world of multiple cloud service providers, why DigitalOcean? Despite being a new addition to the cloud family, it has a friendly user interface with no additional clutter or complicated features.
DigitalOcean is pocket friendly and an acceptable option for small-scale entrepreneurs, startups, or developers who need easy access to the server. They specialize in providing Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
This particular cloud service is super popular among open-source developers. First, you must launch a remote virtual machine primarily known as ‘droplets.’ Then, select your Linux Operating System and which data center and region it should run in.
The user interface provided by DigitalOcean is pretty straightforward and user-friendly. Moreover, it offers pre-build programs called on-click apps that can be easily installed and customized. WordPress, GitLab, and MongoDB are popular apps.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a suite of cloud computing services. It is no surprise what Google offers to its end-users – computing, storage, networking, security, and a range of tools and APIs for developers. For large-scale corporations and businesses, GCP is a more acceptable and complex program.
GCP runs on the same infrastructure as Youtube, Gmail, Google Search, and file storage. However, the tech giant offers virtual machines, storage, databases, machine learning, and extensive data processing cloud services too.
Ease of Use Of DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud
Nobody likes complicated processing, and that too if you operate at a beginner stage. DigitalOcean has hit the bull‘s eye. They have provided user-friendly, easy-to-use, and set-up servers. They have genuinely built around ‘simplicity is the key.’
One-click button option is accessible to ensure smooth functionality. However, it does not imply they are lacking in functionality.
To keep things more accessible and streamlined, a wide range of tutorials and documentation are provided for a healthy user interface.
Conversely, GCP offers a more complex cloud platform for giant corporations and companies.
Compared to DigitalOcean, GCP may be trickier for beginners. However, developers are offered several tools to increase and streamline their work processes.
Features in my DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud Review
Both tech giants challenge one another to develop the best features with amazing deals.
Down below are some fantastic key features of DigitalOcean vs. GCP
Features of Digitalocean
- A distinctive feature between DigitalOcean and GCP is the VM option.
- Kubernetes cluster
- First providers of Solid-state Drives
- Private networking among VM
- 55-second provisioning
- Minimalistic approach
- DNS management
- A cloud server is on a powerful Hex core machine
- Various data centers
- Tier-1 bandwidth
Features of GCP
- Compute Engine (IaaS)
- App Engine (platform as a service PaaS)
- Load balancer
- Security key enforcement
- API management
- Andromeda – software components used to support Google virtual environment
- Data warehousing
Support and Resources Of DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud
Without a doubt, DigitalOcean and Google Cloud offer a wide range of resources. Their extensive documentation and large active online communities work to their advantage.
Google's cloud strategy to keep its resources alive is maintaining detailed official documentation. DigitalOcean has followed in Google’s footsteps, providing elaborated ‘How-to’ guides, tutorials, and installation and walkthrough guides.
DigitalOcean and Google Cloud provide an essential support program for all users. However, their personal support programs are pretty pricey.
The varying difference between DigitalOcean and GCP is their pricing strategy. DigitalOcean provides free business support with a catch of a monthly fee.
GCP support programs are expensive, especially for regular users. However, a few deals can be a suitable option for small-scale businesses.
Premium support, offered by both cloud providers, has specific protocols. You need to call their sales department, brief them about your business requirement and set up a plan.
Pricing Of DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud
Both platforms have separate pricing structures. It depends upon the usage of the services. Either they are hourly or monthly.
DigitalOcean Pricing Structure
Their pricing strategy is impressive. This cloud service provider charges their customers only for usage. You can enjoy a free trial by simply signing up on their homepage. You will be asked for valid credit card details, and there you go. There are no charges during the free trial.
If you opt for a paid version for more access, then DigitalOcean offers hourly and monthly rates. However, there is not a big difference between these two. Take Standard Plan, for example; 1vCPU core, 1GB RAM, 250 GB storage, and 1TB transfer will cost you the same if you use less than 250 GB storage and 1 TB network.
For the latest prices, click here
If you use up more than 250 GB, you will have to pay an additional fee.
Google Cloud Pricing Structure
GCP's pricing model is based on a pay-per-use system, which means users only pay for the resources they use. However, they charge their customers per second.
They offer 20+ free products to their customers, and they are only charged when upgraded.
For a free trial, click here
Before making a purchase, remember GCP has no refund policy. Only after closing the account, you can have a refund.
DigitalOcean VS Google Cloud Platform
Let's establish that DigitalOcean vs GCP is a never-ending debate. It all comes down to the user requirements. Their load balancer feature is fantastic. They provide their services on a broader geographical scale. GCP is more suitable for enterprise-level users
DigitalOcean has its unique structure. It provides many features to its users at affordable prices. It is user-friendly and ideal for bandwidth applications.
DigitalOcean Vs Google Cloud Platform Alternatives
| Ranking | Key Features | Price (Basic Plan) | My View |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 Bluehost | One-click WordPress install, free domain for 1st year, free SSL certificate, unmetered bandwidth, and 24/7 customer support. | $2.95/month Check Pricing | Best for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, affordability, and comprehensive features. It also has strong ties with WordPress. |
| 2. SiteGround | Managed WordPress hosting, free SSL, daily backups, CDN, email, staging tool, and 24/7 support. | $3.99/month Check Pricing | Best for overall performance, features, and exceptional customer support. It’s particularly favored among WordPress users due to its specialized hosting services. |
| 3. Kinsta | Managed WordPress hosting, free migrations, daily backups, automatic scaling, Google Cloud Platform infrastructure. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for businesses that rely heavily on WordPress. It offers high performance, security, and scalability. |
| 4. A2 Hosting | Turbo servers for faster loading, free account migration, anytime money-back guarantee, and 24/7/365 support. | $2.99/month Check Pricing | Best for developers due to its range of developer-friendly tools, and also for its high-speed performance. |
| 5. WP Engine | Managed WordPress hosting, daily backups, threat detection, SSL, CDN, staging environments. | $30/month Check Pricing | Best for WordPress users looking for high-performance hosting with top-notch security features and support. |
| 6. Hostinger | LiteSpeed Cache, WordPress acceleration, free SSL, 24/7/365 support, 99.9% uptime guarantee. | $1.39/month Check Pricing | Best for budget-conscious users seeking an excellent balance between affordability, performance, and features. |
| 7. InMotion Hosting | Free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, security suite, and 90-day money-back guarantee. | $2.49/month Check Pricing | Best for small to medium-sized businesses due to its solid performance, security features, and customer support. |
| 8. DreamHost | Managed WordPress hosting, free domain, SSD storage, free SSL, 97-day money-back guarantee. | $2.59/month Check Pricing | Best for those looking for strong privacy protection, a long money-back guarantee period, and steady performance. |
| 9. Cloudways | Managed cloud hosting, SSD-based hosting, free SSL, dedicated firewalls, 24/7/365 support. | $10/month Check Pricing | Best for users who want a mix of performance and flexibility without the hassle of managing a cloud server. |
| 10. GreenGeeks | Environmentally friendly, unlimited web space, data transfer, free domain name, nightly backups, and 24/7/365 support. | $3.95/month Check Pricing | Best for eco-conscious users seeking robust hosting features with a focus on renewable energy without compromising speed and security. |
Choosing between the two clouds depends upon your needs. As established, GCP is the best IaaS provider. You will pay for every service you use. It is more expensive, and more giant corporations with tons of data use such complex designs.
It should not eliminate the chances of looking for a better competitor. If you want a more affordable platform for a not-so-complex structure, then my recommendation would be to opt for DigitalOcean.
Before making a purchase, you should first take a free trial and make yourself familiar with the interface. If ita a perfect fit, then you should go for an upgrade.
FAQs
Is the DigitalOcean server free?
No, it's not free. However, you can access the free-trial period by providing your valid credit card details. You can enjoy more features after availing of the upgraded version.
Does DigitalOcean support WordPress Hosting?
DigitalOcean offers a variety of services to host WordPress sites, including Droplets. With WordPress's one-click app, you can create a Droplet and gain access to managed databases and object storage.
Is GCP IaaS or PaaS?
GCP offers both features. Google Cloud offers a wide range of cloud services, including IaaS, PaaS, and even SaaS. It depends upon the exclusive requirements of the organization.
What services are provided by GCP?
GCP is a cloud computing suite that runs on the infrastructure which is used by Google internally. It offers a diverse range of cloud services for Computing, Data Storage, Networking, and Machine Learning.