Architecting on Google Cloud

A visual guide to choosing the right web hosting solution, based on Google's comprehensive report.

The Spectrum of Control

Your first decision is balancing simplicity and control. Google Cloud offers a solution for every need, from fully managed platforms to raw infrastructure.

PaaS

App Engine

CaaS

Cloud Run

IaaS

Compute Engine

More Simplicity More Control

Static vs. Dynamic Websites

The nature of your site is the next critical choice. Are you serving pre-built files or generating content on the fly?

Static Sites

For blogs, portfolios, and modern SPA frontends.

Dynamic Applications

For web apps with server-side logic and database connections.

Comparing Serverless Champions

For dynamic apps, Google's serverless options offer different strengths. This chart compares the top contenders on key architectural attributes.

A larger area indicates a stronger alignment with that attribute. Cloud Run excels in portability and flexibility due to its container-native approach.

The Decision Flowchart

Follow this simplified path to find your ideal Google Cloud hosting solution.

1. What is your site's nature?

Static

2. Need dev speed or infra control?

Dev Speed

Firebase Hosting

Infra Control

Cloud Storage

Dynamic

2. Is it containerized?

Yes

Cloud Run

Compute Engine