Amazon EC2 vs Google App Engine: What are the differences?

Introduction

Amazon EC2 and Google App Engine are both popular cloud computing platforms that offer infrastructure services to deploy and manage applications. However, there are key differences between the two platforms that make them suitable for different use cases.

1. Pricing and Flexibility: Amazon EC2 provides more pricing options and flexibility. It allows users to choose and pay for resources on an hourly basis, offering more control and scalability for businesses with fluctuating workloads. On the other hand, Google App Engine operates on an automatic scaling model based on usage and offers limited pricing options, making it more suitable for applications with consistent workloads.

2. Managed vs. Unmanaged: Google App Engine is a fully managed platform, meaning that Google handles most of the underlying infrastructure tasks, such as patching, scaling, and monitoring. This makes it easier for developers to focus on writing code and reduces the operational burden. In contrast, Amazon EC2 provides more control and requires users to manage their virtual machines, including patching, scaling, and monitoring. This flexibility allows for more customization but also requires more system administration tasks.

3. Environment Support: Amazon EC2 supports a wide range of operating systems and unlimited programming languages, providing a more versatile environment for developers. It allows users to choose the desired operating system and customize the software stack as per their needs. On the other hand, Google App Engine supports specific programming languages like Python, Java, PHP, and Go, limiting the choice for developers who prefer other programming languages or frameworks.

4. Scalability and Auto-scaling: Amazon EC2 provides manual vertical and horizontal scaling options, allowing users to scale their resources up or down based on demand. It also offers auto-scaling features that adjust resources automatically based on predefined rules or metrics. In contrast, Google App Engine offers automatic horizontal scaling, monitoring application's traffic and adjusting resources accordingly. This makes it easier to handle sudden spikes in traffic without manual intervention.

5. Storage Options: Amazon EC2 offers various storage options, including Elastic Block Store (EBS), Amazon S3, and Amazon Glacier. This provides flexibility in choosing the appropriate storage solution for different use cases, from high-performance databases to long-term archival storage. On the other hand, Google App Engine primarily uses Google Cloud Storage for persistent storage, which is a scalable and highly available object storage service.

6. Networking and Security: Amazon EC2 provides more networking and security features, allowing users to configure virtual private clouds (VPCs) and define network access control rules. It also provides options for setting up VPN connections and dedicated network connections. Google App Engine, on the other hand, offers a simpler networking model and relies on Google Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) for access control and security.

In summary, Amazon EC2 offers more pricing options, flexibility, and control over the infrastructure, while Google App Engine provides a fully managed environment, automatic scaling, and easier deployment experience. The choice between the two platforms depends on the specific needs of the application and the level of control and customization required.