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  1. Stackups
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  3. Container Registry
  4. Containers As A Service
  5. Amazon EC2 Container Service vs Azure Container Instances vs Google Kubernetes Engine

Amazon EC2 Container Service vs Azure Container Instances vs Google Kubernetes Engine

OverviewComparisonAlternatives

Overview

Google Kubernetes Engine
Google Kubernetes Engine
Stacks1.1K
Followers814
Votes78
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Stacks14.6K
Followers10.2K
Votes325
Azure Container Instances
Azure Container Instances
Stacks37
Followers73
Votes0

Amazon EC2 Container Service vs Azure Container Instances vs Google Kubernetes Engine: What are the differences?

Key Differences between Amazon EC2 Container Service, Azure Container Instances, and Google Kubernetes Engine

Amazon EC2 Container Service, Azure Container Instances, and Google Kubernetes Engine are popular container orchestration services offered by major cloud providers. Each platform has its own set of features and capabilities that cater to different needs and preferences. Below are the key differences between them:

  1. Service Type: Amazon EC2 Container Service (ECS) is a fully managed container orchestration service that supports both Docker containers and native Amazon Web Services (AWS) services. Azure Container Instances (ACI) is a serverless container service that allows you to run containers without managing the underlying infrastructure. Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) is a managed Kubernetes service that provides the most extensive features for container orchestration.

  2. Scalability: While all three services have scalability options, the method of scaling differs between them. In ECS, you can scale your container instances in and out manually or automate the process using Auto Scaling groups. ACI automatically scales based on your container resource requirements. GKE, being a Kubernetes-based service, offers advanced scaling options, such as Horizontal Pod Autoscaling and Cluster Autoscaler, for seamless scaling.

  3. Resource Management: ECS requires you to manage the underlying EC2 instances along with the containers running on them. ACI abstracts the infrastructure management, allowing you to focus solely on your containers. GKE has a more complex resource management system that involves defining resources at the container level using Kubernetes resources like Pods, Deployments, and Services.

  4. Networking: Networking capabilities differ across the three platforms. ECS allows you to create Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) and control the networking configuration for your containers. ACI provides a simplified networking model with automatic IP address allocation. GKE integrates seamlessly with Google Cloud's networking services and offers advanced networking features like network policies and load balancing.

  5. Cost Structure: The cost structure for running containers on these platforms varies. ECS pricing is based on the instances and other AWS resources used in the cluster. ACI pricing is based on the container group consumption and the resources allocated to them. GKE pricing includes the cost for the GKE cluster, node VMs, and any additional resources provisioned within the cluster.

  6. Management Complexity: The level of management complexity is another distinguishing factor. ECS is relatively easy to set up and manage, especially if you are already familiar with the AWS ecosystem. ACI reduces management overhead by abstracting infrastructure management tasks. GKE, being a Kubernetes-based service, offers more flexibility and control but requires more expertise to operate efficiently.

In Summary, Amazon EC2 Container Service, Azure Container Instances, and Google Kubernetes Engine offer unique features and capabilities in terms of service type, scalability, resource management, networking, cost structure, and management complexity, catering to different use cases and preferences.

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Detailed Comparison

Google Kubernetes Engine
Google Kubernetes Engine
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Amazon EC2 Container Service
Azure Container Instances
Azure Container Instances

Container Engine takes care of provisioning and maintaining the underlying virtual machine cluster, scaling your application, and operational logistics like logging, monitoring, and health management.

Amazon EC2 Container Service lets you launch and stop container-enabled applications with simple API calls, allows you to query the state of your cluster from a centralized service, and gives you access to many familiar Amazon EC2 features like security groups, EBS volumes and IAM roles.

It is a solution for any scenario that can operate in isolated containers, without orchestration. Run event-driven applications, quickly deploy from your container development pipelines, and run data processing and build jobs.

Docker support - Improve the predictability of your deployments with Docker containers. Containers make it easy to deploy applications across environments.; Better ops - Give ops a better system, starting with a managed compute cluster. Container Engine takes care of provisioning and maintaining the underlying virtual machines and operational logistics like logging, monitoring, and health management.;Declarative management - Use declarative syntax to define your application requirements. Container Engine will actively manage your application, ensuring your containers are running and scheduling additional as needed.;Scalable - Run multiple containers in a single virtual machine, or scale to many as your application grows. Container Engine makes it easy to manage your containers across a group of virtual machines.;Powered by Kubernetes - Container Engine is powered by the open source Kubernetes technology. Join the discussion on Kubernetes and be part of the growing community.;Decoupled apps - Let developers focus on code, with very few constraints. Create loosely coupled microservice apps that are more robust and easier to maintain and extend.
Docker Compatibility;Managed Clusters;Programmatic Control;Task Definitions;Scheduler;Docker Repository
Run containers without managing servers; Increase agility with containers on demand; Secure applications with hypervisor isolation
Statistics
Stacks
1.1K
Stacks
14.6K
Stacks
37
Followers
814
Followers
10.2K
Followers
73
Votes
78
Votes
325
Votes
0
Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 18
    Powered by kubernetes
  • 18
    Backed by Google
  • 13
    Docker
  • 12
    Scalable
  • 7
    Open source
Pros
  • 100
    Backed by amazon
  • 72
    Familiar to ec2
  • 53
    Cluster based
  • 42
    Simple API
  • 26
    Iam roles
No community feedback yet
Integrations
Docker
Docker
Docker
Docker
Amazon EC2
Amazon EC2
Docker
Docker

What are some alternatives to Google Kubernetes Engine, Amazon EC2 Container Service, Azure Container Instances?

Containerum

Containerum

Containerum is built to aid cluster management, teamwork and resource allocation. Containerum runs on top of any Kubernetes cluster and provides a friendly Web UI for cluster management.

Azure Container Service

Azure Container Service

Azure Container Service optimizes the configuration of popular open source tools and technologies specifically for Azure. You get an open solution that offers portability for both your containers and your application configuration. You select the size, the number of hosts, and choice of orchestrator tools, and Container Service handles everything else.

Docker Cloud

Docker Cloud

Docker Cloud is the best way to deploy and manage Dockerized applications. Docker Cloud makes it easy for new Docker users to manage and deploy the full spectrum of applications, from single container apps to distributed microservices stacks, to any cloud or on-premises infrastructure.

Amazon EKS

Amazon EKS

Amazon Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (Amazon EKS) is a managed service that makes it easy for you to run Kubernetes on AWS without needing to install and operate your own Kubernetes clusters.

instainer

instainer

InstaDocker is a Docker container hosting service which allows run any Docker container on the cloud instantly.

Docker Datacenter

Docker Datacenter

Docker Datacenter is an integrated solution including open source and commercial software, the integrations between them, full Docker API support, validated configurations and commercial support for your Docker Datacenter environment.

DCHQ

DCHQ

DCHQ delivers enterprise discipline to Linux Containers application lifecycle management. Available in hosted and on-prem versions, DCHQ provides the most advanced application composition framework extending Docker Compose through environment variable bindings across images, BASH script plug-ins that can be invoked at request time and post-provision and support for clustering for high availability across multiple hosts and auto-scaling.

Supergiant

Supergiant

Supergiant is a container management platform built on top of Kubernetes. Supergiant makes it easy to deploy and manage faster, and it reduces hardware expenses. Packing algorithm efficiently matches your overall CPU and RAM needs.

AWS Fargate

AWS Fargate

AWS Fargate is a technology for Amazon ECS and EKS* that allows you to run containers without having to manage servers or clusters. With AWS Fargate, you no longer have to provision, configure, and scale clusters of virtual machines to run containers.

Azure Kubernetes Service

Azure Kubernetes Service

Deploy and manage containerized applications more easily with a fully managed Kubernetes service. It offers serverless Kubernetes, an integrated continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) experience, and enterprise-grade security and governance. Unite your development and operations teams on a single platform to rapidly build, deliver, and scale applications with confidence.

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