Google Cloud vs. Linode

Google Cloud’s appeal is far-reaching, but its strongest capabilities include big data analytics applications, machine learning capabilities, and cloud-native applications, according to Gartner. The Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a cloud computing service that runs on the same infrastructure that Google uses for its other products like Gmail and YouTube. 

Google is newer to cloud than some of the other players on this list. Google Cloud has primarily been the provider of choice for small projects within enterprises, meaning it focuses on standalone efforts versus serving as an all-around strategic partner. When compared to AWS and Azure, Google has a relatively small global presence. In fact, it has no presence in China. While this may not mean much to companies that do business primarily in the US, this could pose growth challenges if you’re looking to expand abroad. When it comes to comparing Google Cloud with alternative providers like Linode, it's apples and oranges, Google is built for enterprises and all the complexity that comes with it, while providers like Linode are designed for the developer and small business looking for simplicity and much lower prices.

While Google Cloud Platforms' growth has been impressive, profitability continues to be elusive. "The unit has lost at least $4 billion in each of the last three years, and finished 2020 with a loss of $5.61 billion on $13.06 billion in revenue," according to CNBC. If Google Cloud can't make a profit soon, some fear that Alphabet (Google Clouds' parent company) will be forced to focus on other sources of revenue that deliver higher returns for its shareholders.  Where this leaves Google Cloud customers is to be seen, as outlined in an article by CRN.