AWS vs. Azure vs. GCP: Which Cloud Should a DevOps Beginner Learn First

Welcome back to DevOps for Beginners! Thinking about learning cloud computing? Great choice! But with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud (GCP) dominating, where do you start? Let's cut to the chase and give you the facts.



The Cloud Big Three: Who Are They?

  • AWS (Amazon Web Services): The original cloud giant. Think of it as the most established, with the broadest range of services.

  • Azure (Microsoft Azure): Microsoft's answer to AWS. Strong for businesses already using Microsoft software (like Windows, SQL Server).

  • GCP (Google Cloud Platform): Google's cloud. Known for its roots in data, AI, and containers (Kubernetes).

Quick Facts & Why They Matter

  • Market Share (Latest available data, as of late 2023/early 2024 reports):

    • AWS: Still the leader, often cited around 31-33%. This means most cloud jobs and existing projects use AWS.

    • Azure: Strong #2, typically around 23-26%. Growing fast, especially in large enterprises.

    • GCP: Coming in at #3, around 10-12%. Fast growth, but a smaller overall footprint.

    • Fact: More market share often means more jobs, resources, and community support for learning.

  • Free Tiers (Crucial for Beginners!):

    • AWS: As of July 15, 2025, new customers get up to $200 in credits (first $100 on sign-up, another $100 earnable through tasks) for 6 months.

    • Azure: Offers a 12-month free tier for select services plus $200 credit for the first 30 days.

    • GCP: Provides a 12-month free tier for select services plus $300 credit for the first 90 days.

    • Fact: All offer free ways to learn, but the structure varies. AWS's new model encourages hands-on learning to unlock full credits.

  • Learning Resources & Community:

    • AWS: Has the largest pool of tutorials, courses, YouTube videos, and community forums. If you get stuck, someone has likely solved it.

    • Azure: Has a very large and growing number of resources, often well-integrated with Microsoft's learning platforms.

    • GCP: Resources are good and growing, but the community is smaller than AWS/Azure's.

Which Cloud is Best for a DevOps Beginner to Learn First?

Clear-cut recommendation: Start with AWS.

Why AWS for Beginners?

  1. Job Market: With the largest market share, more companies use AWS, meaning more job opportunities for beginners.

  2. Abundant Resources: The sheer volume of free tutorials, documentation, and community support for AWS is unmatched. You'll always find help.

  3. Foundational Skills: Learning AWS exposes you to a wide range of core cloud concepts that are transferable. While specific service names differ, the underlying ideas (virtual machines, databases, storage, networking) are the same across all clouds.

  4. Free Tier: The updated AWS Free Tier, while shorter (6 months), still gives you ample credits ($200) to experiment deeply and get practical experience without cost.

When to consider Azure first:

  • If you or your current workplace is heavily invested in Microsoft technologies (Windows Server, .NET, SQL Server). Azure will feel more familiar.

  • If you're aiming for a role in a large enterprise environment that often uses hybrid cloud (mix of on-premises and cloud).

When to consider GCP first:

  • If your primary interest is data analytics, machine learning, or Kubernetes. GCP excels in these areas (e.g., Google Kubernetes Engine is top-tier).

Your First Steps (Cloud-Agnostic Learning):

No matter which cloud you pick, focus on these core DevOps-related services first using their respective free tiers:

  1. Virtual Machines (Compute): How to launch and manage a server (AWS EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine).

  2. Storage: Storing files in the cloud (AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage, GCP Cloud Storage).

  3. Networking Basics: How clouds connect resources (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, GCP VPC).

  4. Identity & Access Management (IAM): How to control who can do what (similar names across all).

Conclusion

For most DevOps beginners, starting with AWS offers the widest doors to learning resources and job opportunities. Dive into its free tier, get hands-on, and build those foundational cloud skills. The cloud is vast, but with a clear starting point, you're set for success!

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