AWS and GCP offer compelling options for long-term cloud cost optimization. AWS Savings Plans and GCP Committed Use Discounts (CUDs) cater to businesses looking to save money on predictable workloads. This article compares their features, benefits, and ideal use cases.
AWS Savings Plans
AWS Savings Plans provide discounts for committing to usage over a period of one or three years. Learn more on the AWS Savings Plans page. Options include:
- Compute Savings Plans: Broad flexibility across AWS services and regions.
- EC2 Instance Savings Plans: Specific to EC2 instance families and regions.
GCP Committed Use Discounts
GCP CUDs focus on Compute Engine resources and offer two main types:
- Resource-Based: Specific machine types and zones.
- Spend-Based: Flexible dollar-based commitments.
Comparison Table: AWS Savings Plans vs. GCP CUDs
| Feature | AWS Savings Plans | GCP Committed Use Discounts |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | High (Compute Savings Plans) | Medium (Spend-Based CUDs) |
| Discount Rates | Up to 72% | Up to 57% |
| Duration Options | 1 or 3 years | 1 or 3 years |
| Ideal Use Cases | Broad workloads, EC2-specific apps | Predictable Compute Engine needs |
Key Considerations
- Flexibility Needs: Choose AWS Savings Plans for multi-service flexibility or GCP CUDs for Compute Engine-specific savings.
- Discount Depth: AWS offers slightly higher maximum discounts, but GCP’s simpler pricing structure may reduce complexity.
- Workload Patterns: Evaluate which provider’s discount model aligns with your workload predictability.
Conclusion
Choosing between AWS Savings Plans and GCP CUDs depends on workload needs and flexibility. Explore Hykell’s cost-saving tools and see how they compare to tools like AWS Cost Explorer and GCP Pricing Calculator for a comprehensive analysis. That way you will always save the most and spend the least amount of time on price optimization tasks.