IBM Cloud vs Amazon Web Services - Which is better for Small Businesses?
Cloud computing has been a game-changer for many small businesses. It allows them to optimise their operations, scale with ease, and reduce their IT costs. However, choosing the right cloud provider can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to market leaders like IBM Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both providers offer a comprehensive range of services, including storage, networking, compute, and security. In this blog post, we are going to compare IBM Cloud and AWS in terms of their services, pricing, and support aimed at small businesses.
Services
When it comes to services, both IBM Cloud and AWS offer a wide variety of services that cater to small businesses. IBM Cloud has over 170 services offerings, ranging from infrastructure as a service (IaaS) to platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS), while AWS offers over 200 services.
However, the quality of services offered by each provider is different. For example, IBM Cloud has a better reputation for AI and machine learning services, while AWS has better tools and services for DevOps and analytics. In terms of database services, IBM Cloud has a sleek and easy-to-use interface, whereas AWS offers better performance and scalability for high-performance computing (HPC) and big data analytics.
Winner: Tie
IBM Cloud and AWS offer a broad range of services that cater to most small businesses' needs. Whether you need basic compute infrastructure, AI services, or advanced database services, both cloud providers offer a comprehensive service offering.
Pricing
One of the primary reasons small businesses turn to the cloud is to reduce their IT costs. Both IBM Cloud and AWS offer competitive pricing for their services, with pay-as-you-go models that allow you to scale dynamically based on demand.
However, pricing models and costs vary across different services, and you should be mindful of hidden costs, such as data transfers, storage, and network outbound traffic. Both providers offer a cost calculator that helps you to estimate costs before committing to a particular service.
Winner: IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud has a more transparent and simplified pricing model that makes it easier for small businesses to understand and calculate costs. They also offer a 30-day free trial that you can use to test their services before making a commitment.
Support
With cloud computing, support is critical, especially for small businesses that may not have the in-house expertise to manage their cloud infrastructure. Both IBM Cloud and AWS offer comprehensive support options, ranging from documentation to premium support.
IBM Cloud has a better reputation for their customer service, with dedicated support teams, account managers, and 24/7 phone support. AWS offers a more self-service approach, with documentation, user forums, and chat support available.
Winner: IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud's support offering is better tailored to small businesses, with dedicated support teams and account managers. Their 24/7 phone support makes it easier for small business owners to get help when they need it most.
Conclusion
Both IBM Cloud and AWS are great cloud providers that cater to small businesses' needs. Choosing the right provider ultimately depends on your specific needs, such as your budget, preferred services, and support options.
If you're looking for a cloud provider with better pricing transparency and customer support, IBM Cloud is the way to go. However, if you need robust tools for DevOps and analytics and better HPC and big data scalability, you'll find AWS to be a better option.
References
- IBM Cloud Service Catalog. URL: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/cloud-services/
- Amazon Web Services. URL: https://aws.amazon.com/
- IBM Cloud pricing. URL: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/pricing
- AWS pricing calculator. URL: https://calculator.aws/
- IBM Cloud Support. URL: https://www.ibm.com/cloud/support
- AWS Support. URL: https://aws.amazon.com/premiumsupport/