GoDaddy vs Google Cloud Platform: Popular Doesn’t Mean Better [2024]

These two hosts are arguably on opposite ends of the web hosting spectrum. Google Cloud Platform is one of the largest cloud networks in the world, intended mainly for business and large enterprise clients. Conversely, GoDaddy primarily offers budget hosting services, suitable for individuals and small businesses.

But which host offers the best overall service? To find out, I decided to compare the two hosts on features, performance, pricing, and more. While I ultimately (and surprisingly) found GoDaddy to be the better option overall, neither of these two hosts really live up to the competition in their respective fields.

As an example, budget provider Hostinger offers far better performance than GoDaddy, and Kamatera offers high-quality, on-demand cloud hosting for a far lower price than Google Cloud Platform. I’d recommend checking out these alternatives before coming to a final decision.

Plans and Pricing

GoDaddy beats Google Cloud Platform with its budget-friendly pricing

GoDaddy offers a wide variety of hosting plans at affordable prices, from budget shared hosting up to dedicated servers. While it definitely could be cheaper (Hostinger offers comparable shared hosting plans for a far lower price), it will likely suit the budgets of most individuals and small businesses.

With its focus on enterprise-level cloud hosting, Google’s cloud hosting service is expensive. Google Cloud Platform bills you according to usage, though identifying the services you need and the amount you’ll be paying can be complicated even if you use the online cost calculator. But if you need a big, scalable server, Google Cloud Platform can provide it.

If you’re a beginner with little-to-zero tech knowledge and a tight budget, GoDaddy is the better choice, provided you sign up for an annual or longer term. This will net you the best deal.

GoDaddy gives you a 30-day money-back guarantee (with its annual plans) and a 48-hour refund (with its monthly plans. With Google Cloud Platform, you’ll get a 12-month free trial with $300 credit.

With its budget-friendly pricing, GoDaddy wins this round. However, Hostinger is a better budget option thanks to its superior features and performance.

Features

GoDaddy wins with its beginner-friendly features

From shared (Linux/Windows and WordPress) hosting to email hosting, VPS, and dedicated servers, GoDaddy offers them all.

With its Linux shared hosting plans, you’ll get multiple beginner-friendly features like a free domain with the annual plan, conditional free SSL certificate, 1-click installer with 125+ free applications, and automatic backups. You’ll also get a free website builder to create a professional site or online store with no technical knowledge. But don’t go looking for such beginner-friendly features in Google Cloud Platform as its focus is on enterprise-level cloud hosting. It does offer several powerful features, but they are suitable for developers and high-demand websites. For beginners or hobbyists, such features would simply be overkill.

You can take a look at this head-to-head feature comparison table:

GoDaddy wins this round but if you’re looking for a host packed with user-friendly features, Hostinger is a better option.

Performance

Google Cloud Platform wins with its better uptime SLA and redundancy

With data centers in 39 locations across the world, Google Cloud Platform delivers global coverage across 200+ countries and regions.

Google Cloud Platform offers impressive performance, but it’s too expensive for most users. Kamatera offers a similarly impressive 99.95% uptime guarantee at much more affordable prices.

Security

Google Cloud Platform wins this round hands down

When you compare Google Cloud Platform and GoDaddy, you’ll notice that both offer a range of security features. With GoDaddy, you’ll get free/managed SSL certificates, Cage FS, data backups, daily malware scans, and paid website security plans.

The Google Cloud Platform provides an extensive selection of security services encompassing data and application security, secure identity and access management, endpoint security, user protection services, and security monitoring and operations, among other offerings.

It aids in maintaining compliance with crucial international standards, enabling the achievement of regulatory, policy, and business objectives. To further bolster security measures, the Google Cloud Platform engages in partnerships with multiple security-focused companies.

Although Google Cloud Platform outperforms GoDaddy in this round, Kamatera is a better choice than either thanks to its powerful security features like automatic backups and cloud firewall.

Support

Though erratic, GoDaddy’s support is easily accessible, unlike steeply-priced Google Cloud Platform’s

Though GoDaddy offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and phone (with dedicated lines for dozens of countries), our expert reviewer found that at times, it could be somewhat unpredictable. However, you’ll get adequate self-help through its community forums and knowledgebase packed with useful articles and video tutorials.

Though you’ll get free trial support and basic billing support at no charge from Google Cloud Platform, its 3-tier paid support via web, phone, and chat range from steep to insanely expensive. These prices make Google Cloud Platform’s support suitable just for enterprises while deterring anyone else. For self-service, you’ll get developer communities, documentation, and help center.

If you’re looking for high-performance cloud hosting with extensive technical support, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. Kamatera offers a much more affordable managed service, which includes 24/7 technical support, server monitoring, and automatic backups.

GoDaddy Emerges as a Surprise Winner

Despite being one of the world’s leading cloud hosting providers, Google Cloud Platform’s plans aren’t the cheapest on the market. Kamatera, for example, offers lower pricing for highly customizable cloud VPSs, alongside affordable support.

By contrast, GoDaddy is certainly cheaper and more user-friendly, but it has its own share of issues. Support is unresponsive at the best of times, and competitors such as Hostinger offer much better performance at lower prices.

While GoDaddy did manage to edge out a victory in this comparison, I would consider Hostinger, Kamatera, or other alternatives in our list of top-rated hosts before coming to a final decision.

Comparison Table

FAQ

Is Google Cloud cheaper than GoDaddy?

Google Cloud Platform is much more expensive than GoDaddy. While GoDaddy is a budget host, Google Cloud offers high-end hosting solutions with advanced features. That said, Kamatera has power and flexibility at more affordable prices, while Hostinger is faster and cheaper than GoDaddy.

Does GoDaddy offer WordPress hosting?

Yes. It offers some nice free features, such as an automatic backup solution and daily malware scans. But it’s relatively expensive, and the performance tests in our GoDaddy WordPress review revealed that it struggles to provide reliable uptime. Hostinger offers better reliability for a much lower price, as do many other providers.

Does GoDaddy offer VPS hosting?

GoDaddy offers VPS plans with an optional tier of managed service. However, GoDaddy’s VPSs lack the customizability and performance you get with Kamatera at a similar price. Kamatera also offers much more affordable server management.

Is GoDaddy better than Google Cloud Platform?

For most users, yes. GoDaddy’s services are much easier to use and magnitudes less expensive. Despite this, its poor support service and weak performance make it difficult to recommend. Before you decide, you may want to have a look at our list of the best web hosting services.