4 Best AWS Alternatives to Consider in 2025

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a major leader in cloud platform services. However, its offerings might not meet your organization's exact needs. You may need to look for several alternatives to AWS that can help you meet your business goals. 

In this article, we'll explore the top four alternatives to AWS that you should consider in 2025 and highlight the key areas to look at when comparing them.

If you're learning AWS, new to cloud platforms, or looking to pick up new skills, read on for a full list and comparison.

Why Consider AWS Alternatives?

First up, let's go through what would make anyone consider getting alternatives to AWS.

Pricing

AWS is known for offering a wide range of services, but with so many options comes a complex pricing structure. This can make it difficult for businesses to estimate their costs accurately, which often leads to unexpected bills.

Scalability

While AWS does offer scalability, this can also be a drawback for smaller organizations. The platform's vast number of features and services might not align with your business needs or budget.

Technical expertise

To fully utilize AWS, you need to have a team of highly skilled experts on hand. This means investing time and resources in training your team or hiring expensive external consultants. You can read more about AWS solutions architects in a separate post. 

Top 4 AWS Alternatives for Cloud Computing

Now that we've discussed the reasons to get an alternative, let's look at some options you can consider in a summary table.

We’ll be covering each of these in detail further below.

1. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is one of the top competitors to AWS and offers similar services, including computing, storage, databases, and networking. The platform also has a user-friendly interface and great customer support.

Azure's pricing structure is simpler compared to AWS and offers discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, Azure seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products such as Office 365.

Services and features:

• Virtual machines
• Storage options (blob, file, and queue)
• Database services (SQL, NoSQL, and in-memory cache)

Best use cases: organizations that use other Microsoft products and want an easy-to-use cloud platform. It’s easy to get started with Azure by taking our Azure Fundamentals skill certification. 

2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform also offers a wide range of services and features, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. GCP has a simple pricing structure and provides discounts for sustained usage.

The platform is known for its high-performance computing capabilities and offers advanced analytics tools. However, GCP has a smaller user base compared to AWS and Azure.

Services and features:

• Compute engines
• Storage options (cloud storage, persistent disks)
• Big data solutions (BigQuery, Dataflow)
• Machine learning and AI (Gemini 2.0, Vertex AI)

Best use cases:

• Organizations that require advanced analytics or have high-compute needs.
• Startups and smaller projects that prioritize cost-effectiveness.

Thinking of using GCP for a new project? Try out these Google Cloud Platform projects.

3. IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud offers a wide range of services and has a strong focus on security. The platform also provides integration with other IBM products, such as watsonx.

IBM Cloud's pricing is competitive and offers discounts for long-term commitments. However, the platform might not be suitable for organizations looking for advanced analytics or machine learning capabilities.

Services and features:

• Virtual servers
• Storage options (block, file, object)
• Databases (SQL, NoSQL)
• AI models (watsonx)

Best use cases:

• Organizations that prioritize security and require integration with other IBM products.
• Best for industries with specific compliance needs.

4. Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud offers a comprehensive suite of services and features, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). The platform has strong security measures in place and has reliable customer support.

Oracle's pricing is competitive compared to AWS, and they offer discounts for long-term commitments. However, the platform may not be suitable for organizations that require advanced analytics or machine learning capabilities.

Services and features:

• Compute instances
• Storage options (block volumes, object storage)
• Database services (Autonomous Database, MySQL)

Best use cases:

• Organizations that require a wide range of cloud services with strong security measures in place.
• Organizations that prioritize database services.
• Niche applications in ERP and CRM.

Free and low-cost AWS alternatives

Apart from the top four alternatives mentioned above, there are also several free and low-cost options available that can provide basic cloud services. These include:

• DigitalOcean: known for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
• Heroku: ideal for web application development.
• Linode: budget-friendly option for small businesses.
• Vultr: offers high-performance cloud hosting at affordable prices.

However, using these alternatives means having some limitations like sacrificing some advanced features and capabilities offered by AWS and other major cloud platforms.

Key Features to Compare in AWS Competitors

So, you're looking for an alternative to AWS, but how do you decide which one is the best fit for your organization?

Here are some key features to consider when comparing cloud platforms:

Pricing models

The most crucial aspect to look at when comparing AWS alternatives is the pricing structure. Ensure that you understand the pricing models and any potential hidden costs.

In general, there are two models that exist: pay-as-you-go and subscription-based models.

Pay-as-you-go allows users to pay only for the services they use, while subscription-based models offer discounts for long-term commitments.

Performance and scalability

AWS is known for its high-performance capabilities and scalability. When looking for an alternative, make sure to consider the platform's performance metrics and how easily you can scale your resources.

Some key areas to look out for are:

• Uptime guarantees: ensure that the platform offers a high uptime guarantee to minimize potential downtime.
• Server response time: check for any data on how quickly the servers respond to requests.
• Auto-scaling options: verify if the alternative has auto-scaling capabilities, allowing you to adjust resources as needed.
• Scaling options: depending on your organization's needs, you may require vertical or horizontal scaling options. Ensure that the alternative provides these options.

Reliability and availability

Before you select an alternative, ensure that it has measures in place to ensure the reliability and availability of services. This includes features like data backups, disaster recovery options, and multiple data center locations.

For example, GCP has a feature called Live Migration, which allows VM instances to have an instance running without any downtime for planned maintenance events.

Services and features

Next, you should also look at your organization's specific needs regarding cloud services and compare the alternatives' offerings.

Some key areas to look at are:

• Compute options: virtual machines, containers, serverless computing.
• Storage options: object storage, block storage, file storage.
• Database services: SQL or NoSQL databases.

Security and compliance

Another crucial aspect to consider is the security and compliance measures in place for the alternative. This includes:

• Data encryption: ensure that your data is encrypted both in transit and at-rest.
• Compliance certifications: check if the platform has any specific certifications required for your industry, such as HIPAA or PCI DSS.
• User access controls: verify if the alternative offers granular user access controls to limit who can access certain resources.

Here are some ways each of the cloud platforms ensures security and compliance:

• AWS: offers numerous security measures, including encryption services and compliance certifications such as HIPAA and PCI DSS.
• Azure: has a "shared responsibility model," where users are responsible for their data's security in the cloud, while Microsoft takes care of physical infrastructure security.
• GCP: provides identity and access management tools, encryption services, and compliance certifications such as ISO 27001.
• IBM Cloud: offers data encryption services and compliance certifications like SOC 2 Type II.
• Oracle Cloud: provides advanced security features like virtual network isolation and compliance certifications like FedRAMP.

Customer support

Lastly, make sure to research each alternative's customer support options. This can include documentation, forums, community support, and direct technical assistance.

Having reliable and responsive customer support in case any issues or questions regarding the platform arise can be crucial for the success of your organization's cloud operations.

Additionally, if the platform has good documentation on its website, this will help facilitate learning for new users.

How to Migrate from AWS to an Alternative

If you have decided to switch from using AWS and move to another cloud platform, there are several steps you can follow for a successful migration:

1. Assess your current services and usage

Before making the switch, understand what services and features you currently use on AWS and how much you are utilizing them. This will help determine which alternative would be the best fit for your organization.

2. Select the alternative

After evaluating different alternatives based on their features, pricing models, performance, security measures, etc., choose the one that aligns best with your organization's needs.

3. Migrate data

Once you have selected an alternative, migrate your data from AWS to the new platform manually or through migration tools provided by the alternative.

4. Replicate services and applications

If your organization has any custom apps or services built specifically for AWS, you will need to replicate them on the new platform. This may involve using different tools and languages, so be prepared for some modifications.

5. Test and validate

Before fully committing to the alternative, make sure to test and validate all of your services and applications on the new platform. This will help identify any potential issues or compatibility problems.

6. Switch over

Once everything is validated, it's time to switch off your AWS resources and start using the alternative.

7. Monitor and optimize

After the migration, continue to monitor your new platform's performance and make any necessary optimizations to ensure efficient usage and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

Cloud alternatives to AWS are a good option for organizations looking to diversify their cloud services or find a better fit for their specific needs. If you're looking for the best guides and courses to help you learn more, try out our AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) track, Azure Fundamentals Certification, or the Understanding Microsoft Azure Architecture and Services course.