What is the difference between Google Cloud and RunPod?

Google Cloud and RunPod are both cloud GPU providers offering different pricing models, features, and GPU availability. Use our comparison tool to see real-time pricing and feature differences.

Which is cheaper: Google Cloud or RunPod?

Pricing varies by GPU model and usage requirements. Check our real-time comparison table to find the best deals for your specific needs.

Can I switch between Google Cloud and RunPod?

Yes, both providers offer flexible cloud GPU services. However, consider factors like data transfer costs, setup time, and specific features when switching between providers.

How many GPU models are available for comparison?

We track pricing for 15 different GPU models across both Google Cloud and RunPod, with 0 models available from both providers.

Google Cloud vs RunPod

Compare GPU pricing, features, and specifications between Google Cloud and RunPod cloud providers. Find the best deals for AI training, inference, and ML workloads.

Google Cloud

Provider 1

GPUs Available

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RunPod

Provider 2

GPUs Available

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Comparison Overview

Total GPU Models

Google Cloud GPUs

RunPod GPUs

Direct Comparisons

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Google Cloud

RunPod

GPU Pricing Comparison

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Features Comparison

Google Cloud

Compute Engine
Scalable virtual machines with a wide range of machine types, including GPUs.
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)
Managed Kubernetes service for deploying and managing containerized applications.
Cloud Functions
Event-driven serverless compute platform.
Cloud Run
Fully managed serverless platform for containerized applications.
Vertex AI
Unified ML platform for building, deploying, and managing ML models.
Preemptible VMs
Short-lived compute instances at a significant discount, suitable for fault-tolerant workloads.

RunPod

Secure Cloud GPUs
Access to a wide range of GPU types with enterprise-grade security
Pay-as-you-go
Only pay for the compute time you actually use
API Access
Programmatically manage your GPU instances via REST API
Fast cold-starts
Pods typically ready in 20-30 s
Hot-reload dev loop
SSH & VS Code tunnels built-in
Spot-to-on-demand fallback
Automatic migration on pre-empt

Pros & Cons

Google Cloud

Advantages

Flexible pricing options, including sustained use discounts
Strong AI and machine learning tools (Vertex AI)
Good integration with other Google services
Cutting-edge Kubernetes implementation (GKE)

Considerations

Limited availability in some regions compared to AWS
Complexity in managing resources
Support can be costly

RunPod

Advantages

Competitive pricing with pay-per-second billing
Wide variety of GPU options
Simple and intuitive interface

Considerations

GPU availability can vary by region
Some features require technical knowledge

Compute Services

Google Cloud

Compute Engine

Offers customizable virtual machines running in Google's data centers.

Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)

Managed Kubernetes service for running containerized applications.

Automated Kubernetes operations
Integration with Google Cloud services

Cloud Functions

Serverless compute platform for running code in response to events.

Automatic scaling and high availability
Pay only for the compute time consumed

RunPod

Pricing Options

Google Cloud

On-Demand

Pay for compute capacity per hour or per second, with no long-term commitments.

Sustained Use Discounts

Automatic discounts for running instances for a significant portion of the month.

Committed Use Discounts

Save up to 57% with a 1-year or 3-year commitment to a minimum level of resource usage.

Preemptible VMs

Save up to 80% for fault-tolerant workloads that can be interrupted.

RunPod

Getting Started

Google Cloud

Get Started

1
Create a Google Cloud project
Set up a project in the Google Cloud Console.
2
Enable billing
Set up a billing account to pay for resource usage.
3
Choose a compute service
Select Compute Engine, GKE, Cloud Functions, or Cloud Run based on your needs.
4
Create and configure an instance
Launch a VM instance, configure a Kubernetes cluster, or deploy a function/application.
5
Manage resources
Use the Cloud Console, command-line tools, or APIs to manage your resources.

RunPod

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up for RunPod using your email or GitHub account
2
Add payment method
Add a credit card or cryptocurrency payment method
3
Launch your first pod
Select a template and GPU type to launch your first instance

Support & Global Availability

Google Cloud

Global Regions

35+ regions and 100+ zones worldwide.

Support

Role-based (free), Standard, Enhanced and Premium support plans. Comprehensive documentation, community forums, and training resources.

RunPod