How to Choose the Right Cloud Provider

Choosing a cloud provider comes down to three things: workload fit, budget, and ecosystem. This guide walks through a simple framework to evaluate AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and smaller providers like DigitalOcean or Vultr for your specific project.

1. Start with workload fit

If you're running containerized workloads, most major providers work well. If you need specific managed services (like BigQuery or DynamoDB), that narrows the choice quickly.

2. Consider your budget

Smaller providers are often more predictable and cheaper for simple compute needs, while hyperscalers offer more depth at a higher cost.

3. Factor in your team's existing experience

The fastest path to production is usually the platform your team already knows.