Direct comparison
Google Cloud vs Scaleway
Google Cloud or Scaleway? The direct cloud comparison of services, data centers, costs and sovereignty. Hyperscaler versus European cloud – focused on sovereignty, GDPR and compliance.
Management summary
As of 2026-07Google Cloud positions itself as a technologically leading platform for data- and AI-driven workloads, with Big Data and AI receiving top scores. In contrast, Scaleway convinces as a cost-effective, sovereign EU cloud with strong bare metal infrastructure and a focus on European jurisdiction. While Google Cloud excels through a broad service portfolio and global reach, Scaleway's advantage lies in pricing and operational independence from US influence. Companies with high requirements for data sovereignty and cost transparency will find a suitable solution with Scaleway, while data-intensive innovations and global scaling are better served by Google Cloud. The choice thus depends primarily on whether technological depth and global presence or European sovereignty and price advantages are in the foreground.
Methodology & data basisGoogle Cloud
HyperscalerUSP: Leading in data analytics, AI, and Kubernetes, adjustable vCPU/RAM ratio
Recommendation: Recommended for data-driven organizations and developers focused on innovation
Scaleway
EU providerUSP: European portfolio with a focus on AI infrastructure and cloud-native development
Recommendation: Recommended for companies looking for European Cloud Native alternatives
Performance chart
Google Cloud and Scaleway across 8 core categories, compared with the average of all providers (1–10).
Market positioning
All 13 providers by sovereignty and portfolio performance — purely computed from the category ratings.
Positions are purely computational: X = mean of technological & operational sovereignty, Y = mean of all remaining rating categories (each 1–10). Not a ranking recommendation. Methodology & data basis
Strengths & weaknesses
Automatically derived from the editorially reviewed rating data and backed by the category ratings (1–10) — fair to both sides.
Strengths
- Industry-leading data platform: Big Data achieves the maximum score of 10/10, supported by BigQuery, Looker, Dataproc, and Data Fusion.
- Strong AI and ML capabilities: AI scores 9/10, based on Vertex AI for training and inference as well as specialized APIs such as Document AI and Vision AI.
- Comprehensive container ecosystem: Containerization scores 10/10, driven by Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Cloud Run, and Artifact Registry.
- Broad technical excellence: Databases, storage, networking, virtualization, and Linux each receive 10/10, complemented by 9/10 in data security & encryption and high availability.
Points to consider
- Low jurisdictional sovereignty: The SEAL Score is 4.3/10 (43%), with SOV-2 Legal & Jurisdictional at only 2/10 due to US jurisdiction.
- Moderate pricing: Price scores 5/10 (Cost Rating 5.6/10), with Egress at 3.0/10 and S3 Storage at 3.8/10 potentially being expensive.
- Weak bare metal offering: Bare Metal achieves only 3/10, which is limiting for workloads with strict hardware requirements.
Strengths
- Outstanding pricing: Price scores 9/10 (Cost Rating 8.5/10), with Egress at 10.0/10 and GPU at 9.0/10 being particularly competitive.
- Maximum sovereignty in Europe: Technological (9/10) and operational sovereignty (9/10) are at top level, supported by a SEAL Score of 7.9/10.
- Strong bare metal infrastructure: Bare Metal achieves 9/10, which is advantageous for workloads with strict hardware requirements.
- Solid foundation for Linux and storage: Linux support is well-established (8/10), and the storage portfolio (8/10) covers block, file, object, and archive.
Points to consider
- No global reach: Global reach scores 1/10, as the provider is present in only 3 countries and 1 continent.
- Lack of workplace integration: Collaboration tools score 2/10, with no portfolio for office, mail, or conferencing.
- Weak enterprise virtualization: Virtualization scores 4/10; the lack of managed VMware complicates the migration of classic enterprise estates.
Which provider when?
Use-case-based decision aid — both options are a valid choice.
Choose Google Cloud if:
- You need a leading platform for Big Data and analytics with services such as BigQuery and Looker.
- Your strategy strongly focuses on AI and machine learning, particularly with Vertex AI and specialized APIs.
- You require a global presence with many regions and availability zones outside Europe.
- You are looking for a comprehensive portfolio of managed services for databases, storage, and networking.
Choose Scaleway if:
- Data sovereignty and European jurisdiction are of highest priority, supported by a high SEAL Score.
- You are looking for cost-effective infrastructure with transparent pricing and low egress costs.
- Your workloads are heavily based on bare metal servers or cloud-native technologies such as Kubernetes.
- You prefer a European provider with a focus on Linux and open-source technologies.
Service comparison by category
All 19 rating categories in a head-to-head duel (1–10). A notable lead is marked from a 2-point difference.
| Category | Google CloudvsScalewayScale 1–10 | Avg. all | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Security & Encryption | 97 | 7.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Technological Sovereignty | 69 | 7.4 | Lead Scaleway |
| Operational Sovereignty | 69 | 8 | Lead Scaleway |
| Strategic Capabilities | 96 | 6.2 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Price | 59 | 6.4 | Lead Scaleway |
| Collaboration Tools | 83 | 5.1 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Global Reach | 71 | 4.5 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Big Data | 104 | 4.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
| AI | 96 | 4.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Bare Metal | 39 | 5.2 | Lead Scaleway |
| Virtualization | 104 | 5.7 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Containerization | 108 | 7.3 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Databases | 107 | 6.9 | Lead Google Cloud |
| High Availability | 96 | 6.7 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Microsoft | 54 | 4.5 | balanced |
| Linux | 108 | 8.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Encryption | 97 | 6.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Storage | 108 | 7.7 | Lead Google Cloud |
| Network | 108 | 7.8 | Lead Google Cloud |
Management Summary
Sovereign Cloud
SEAL Framework
Strategic (15 %)
Legal & Jurisdictional (10 %)
Data & AI (10 %)
Operational (15 %)
Supply Chain (20 %)
Technology (15 %)
Security & Compliance (10 %)
Environmental (5 %)
Availability & Locations
Compute
shared & low-budget
Hot Storage
Cold Storage
Managed Databases
Network & Security
Orchestration
Virtualization
Management
Big Data
AI & Machine Learning
Quantum Computing
Compliance & Certificates
German cloud security catalogue
Information security management system
Cloud security controls for providers
Personal data protection for cloud
Privacy information management extension
Energy management for data centers
Cloud Security Alliance assurance registry
Service organization control audit reports
Payment card data security standard
Cost Indication
vCPU/h
H100/h
GB/h
CPU/h
Ratio1/4
GB/h | 3000 IOPS
GB/h
GB/h
GB/h
Cluster/h
per 1 Mil Requests
GB-Sec
LLama3.3-70B per 1Mil tokens
LLama3.3-70B per 1Mil tokens
per GB
Our comparison methodology
The scores show a relative price comparison per service category. The lowest price earns 10 points; higher prices are marked down proportionally. Missing services are treated neutrally.
As of: List prices as of 11 September 2025, location Germany (DE).
More cloud comparisons
Frequently asked questions: Google Cloud vs Scaleway
What is the difference between Google Cloud and Scaleway?
Google Cloud is a global hyperscaler with a strong focus on Big Data, AI, and a broad service portfolio, while Scaleway is a European provider specializing in data sovereignty, cost efficiency, and bare metal infrastructure. Google Cloud offers global reach and enterprise integrations, while Scaleway focuses on the European market with high operational independence.
Which provider is more sovereign?
Scaleway is significantly more sovereign with a SEAL Score of 7.9/10 (79%) and high ratings in technological (9/10) and operational sovereignty (9/10). Google Cloud has a SEAL Score of 4.3/10 (43%) and scores 6/10 in these categories, which is due to US jurisdiction and lower operational control from Europe.
Which provider is cheaper?
Scaleway is cheaper with a price score of 9/10 and a Cost Rating of 8.5/10, particularly for egress (10.0/10) and GPU (9.0/10). Google Cloud scores 5/10 with a Cost Rating of 5.6/10, with egress (3.0/10) and S3 storage (3.8/10) being more expensive. However, actual costs always depend on the workload.
Which provider offers better big data capabilities?
Google Cloud offers significantly better big data capabilities with a score of 10/10, supported by services such as BigQuery, Looker, and Dataproc. Scaleway scores 4/10 in this category and offers a more limited portfolio of analytics and data platform services.
Is Scaleway suitable for global workloads?
No, Scaleway is not suitable for global workloads, as it is present in only 3 countries and 1 continent and scores 1/10 in global reach. Google Cloud, with 39 data centers in 25 countries and a score of 7/10 in global reach, is better positioned for international requirements.
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