AWS EC2 vs Google Cloud: GPU pricing
AWS EC2 is cheaper on 4 of 5 shared GPU models. AWS EC2 is a hyperscaler (deepest cloud ecosystem); Google Cloud is a hyperscaler (spot discounts up to ~60%). Their cheapest published GPU rates are $0.81/hr and $0.71/hr respectively. The table below compares the 5 GPU models they both list. Snapshot June 2026 — cloud GPU prices change weekly; verify on the provider's pricing page before relying on a figure.
Data as of June 2026.
AWS EC2 vs Google Cloud overview
| Factor | AWS EC2 | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Type | hyperscaler | hyperscaler |
| GPUs priced | 7 | 5 |
| Cheapest GPU /hr | $0.81/hr | $0.71/hr |
| Billing | Per second (60s min) | Per second (60s min) |
| Discount tier | Spot | Spot |
| Free credits | AWS Free Tier does not cover GPU instances; credits via AWS Activate for startups. | $300 free trial credit for new accounts (not GPU-specific); GPU quota must be requested. |
Sources: Amazon Web Services pricing · Google Cloud Platform pricing.
Price per GPU, side by side
| GPU | AWS /hr | GCP /hr | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA H100 SXM | $6.88/hr | $10.98/hr | AWS |
| NVIDIA H200 | $7.91/hr | $10.85/hr | AWS |
| NVIDIA A100 40GB | $2.75/hr | $3.67/hr | AWS |
| NVIDIA A100 80GB | $3.43/hr | $5.07/hr | AWS |
| NVIDIA L4 | $0.81/hr | $0.71/hr | GCP |
Verdict
On the GPUs they both offer, AWS EC2 comes out cheaper more often. But price is not everything: weigh reliability, region coverage, billing granularity and free credits. Read each provider's full breakdown — AWS EC2 and Google Cloud — and model your own job in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is AWS EC2 or Google Cloud cheaper for GPUs?
On the GPUs they both offer, AWS EC2 is cheaper on 4 of 5 shared GPU models. AWS EC2 wins more head-to-heads in our June 2026 snapshot. Snapshot June 2026 — cloud GPU prices change weekly; verify on the provider's pricing page before relying on a figure.
What GPUs do AWS EC2 and Google Cloud both offer?
Both publish prices for: NVIDIA H100 SXM, NVIDIA H200, NVIDIA A100 40GB, NVIDIA A100 80GB, NVIDIA L4. See the side-by-side table above for each per-hour price.
AWS EC2 vs Google Cloud: which should I pick?
AWS EC2 (deepest cloud ecosystem) versus Google Cloud (spot discounts up to ~60%). Beyond sticker price, weigh reliability, region, billing granularity (Per second (60s min) vs Per second (60s min)) and free credits. Model your real job in the calculator before deciding.
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Last updated: 2026-06-21