AWS SNS vs Google Cloud Messaging
Are you looking for a powerful messaging service for your cloud-based application? AWS SNS and Google Cloud Messaging are two of the most popular options you can choose from. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we will compare AWS SNS and Google Cloud Messaging based on features, pricing, and ease of use, and provide an unbiased comparison.
Features
Both AWS SNS and Google Cloud Messaging have the following features:
- Broadcast messaging: Send push notifications to multiple devices.
- Targeted messaging: Send push notifications to specific devices.
- Mobile and web support: Supports push notifications for both mobile and web-based applications.
- Delivery confirmation: Receive a confirmation when a message is delivered to a device.
- Topic subscription: Allow users to subscribe to specific topics to receive relevant messages.
However, there are some key differences between the two services. AWS SNS supports:
- SMS messaging: Send text messages to phone numbers directly from SNS.
- Email messaging: Send emails directly from SNS.
- Fanout messaging: Distribute messages to multiple HTTP endpoints.
On the other hand, Google Cloud Messaging supports:
- Cloud Functions: Trigger cloud functions in response to incoming messages.
- Data payload: Send additional data along with the message.
- Rate limiting: Control the rate of sending messages.
Pricing
The pricing plans for AWS SNS and Google Cloud Messaging are different.
AWS SNS offers a free tier that allows for up to 1 million requests per month. After that, you will be charged $0.50 per million requests. In addition, there are charges for SMS messaging and email messaging.
Google Cloud Messaging offers a free tier for up to 1 million notifications per month. After that, you will be charged $0.01 per notification. There are no additional charges for cloud functions, data payload, or rate limiting.
Ease of Use
Both services have well-documented APIs and SDKs for easy integration. However, AWS SNS has a steeper learning curve than Google Cloud Messaging because of its additional features. If you are new to messaging services, Google Cloud Messaging might be the better option.
Conclusion
AWS SNS and Google Cloud Messaging are both excellent messaging services. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs. AWS SNS is better for those who need SMS and email messaging, while Google Cloud Messaging is better for those who need cloud functions and data payloads.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to evaluating the pros and cons of each service and picking the one that provides the best value for you.