Google Cloud Container Builder vs Helm: What are the differences?

Introduction

Google Cloud Container Builder and Helm are both popular tools used in the containerization of applications. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are key differences that set them apart. This article highlights six significant variations between Google Cloud Container Builder and Helm.

1. Functionality: Google Cloud Container Builder is primarily designed as a fully managed, serverless build service that leverages built-in tooling to build, test, and deploy containerized applications. On the other hand, Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes that simplifies the deployment and management of applications through reusable charts.

2. Scope: While Google Cloud Container Builder focuses on providing a streamlined build process for container images, Helm goes beyond just building and encompasses a wider scope of capabilities such as packaging, templating, and managing the lifecycle of Kubernetes applications.

3. Dependency Management: Google Cloud Container Builder does not have built-in functionality for managing dependencies within containers. In contrast, Helm offers dependency management that allows users to define and manage dependencies within their charts, simplifying the process of deploying and managing complex applications with multiple components.

4. Versioning and Rollbacks: Helm provides versioning and rollback capabilities, enabling users to easily track and manage changes to their applications over time. Google Cloud Container Builder, being primarily a build service, does not offer built-in versioning or rollback functionality.

5. Templates: Helm utilizes templates, allowing users to define reusable configurations for deploying applications. These templates can be parameterized, making it convenient to deploy multiple instances of the same application with varying configurations. In contrast, Google Cloud Container Builder does not have built-in template functionality.

6. Community and Ecosystem: Helm has a vibrant and active community, with a wide range of pre-existing charts available for various applications. This extensive ecosystem of charts enables users to quickly deploy and manage popular applications without starting from scratch. Google Cloud Container Builder, being a managed service, does not have a dedicated community or pre-existing charts ecosystem associated with it.

In summary, Google Cloud Container Builder is a serverless build service focused on building container images, while Helm is a package manager for Kubernetes with a broader scope, including packaging, templating, and managing the lifecycle of applications. Helm also offers features such as dependency management, versioning, rollback, templates, and a vibrant community ecosystem of pre-existing charts.