Google Cloud vs. Heroku - A Comparison for Cloud Migration
Moving your applications to the cloud is now more important than ever before. Cloud computing provides scalability and stability that is not achievable in traditional hosting environments. In particular, Google Cloud and Heroku are two of the most popular cloud platforms available for businesses of all sizes. In this post, we will compare Google Cloud and Heroku to help you make an informed decision when migrating your applications to the cloud.
Application Support
Before you choose a cloud platform, it's essential to consider the types of applications you are running. Heroku is known for its support for Ruby on Rails, Python, Node.js, Java, and PHP. On the other hand, Google Cloud offers support for a broader range of applications, including Ruby on Rails, Java, Node.js, .NET, and more.
Pricing
Pricing is one of the most critical factors for businesses when making the decision to move to the cloud. Both Google Cloud and Heroku offer flexible pricing structures. Heroku is known for its simplicity, as they offer a few readily available packages. In contrast, Google Cloud offers a more complex pricing model, but it can be more cost-effective for large-scale projects. Here's a quick comparison of the pricing of both platforms for a standard virtual machine instance:
Heroku
- Hobby: $7/month
- Standard 1x: $25/month
- Standard 2x: $50/month
Google Cloud
- n1-standard-1: $24.97/month
- n1-standard-2: $49.94/month
- n1-standard-4: $99.88/month
Scalability
Both platforms are incredibly scalable but work differently. Heroku offers horizontal scaling, meaning that it's possible to increase the number of web dynos, which increases the application's capacity to handle traffic. In contrast, Google Cloud offers both vertical and horizontal scaling, which means that businesses can upgrade the server specification when required, as well as increase the number of servers to scale-out horizontally.
Deployment
Deployment methods are critical, particularly when migrating your applications to the cloud. Heroku offers several methods to deploy your applications, from Git repositories, a CLI tool, or a web interface. On the other hand, Google Cloud requires developers to set up the deployment process themselves, which can be more complex.
Security
Security is important when choosing any hosting service, and both Google Cloud and Heroku take security very seriously. Google Cloud offers advanced security features, such as Identity and Access Management and encryption. Heroku, on the other hand, provides a secure runtime environment to prevent unauthorized access.
Conclusion
Heroku may be better for startups and businesses with small projects, thanks to its simple pricing model and horizontal scaling. Google Cloud, on the other hand, offers more pricing options, more robust support, and vertical scaling. Ultimately, the choice between Heroku and Google Cloud depends on the type of application you run and your company's specific needs.
References
- Heroku. Available online: https://www.heroku.com/
- Google Cloud. Available online: https://cloud.google.com/