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# Amazon EMR vs Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Amazon EMRGoogle Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Amazon EMR**
No pricing available

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Amazon EMR**
$$$$$

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Amazon EMR**
Not enough reviews yet

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**
Not enough reviews yet

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Time to Implement

**Amazon EMR** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Amazon EMR** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Amazon EMR**

Data Integration (1)

Ease of Use (1)

Performance Issues (1)

Poor Performance (1)

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**
Not enough data

Integrations

**Amazon EMR**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-cloudwatch.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon CloudWatch

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-cloudwatch/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_764bdd3b0bc81b470d93f18d12c826d2/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb.png "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon DynamoDB

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-redshift.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Redshift

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-redshift/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_0148ca76408710a295015ec26b43fd3e/amazon-relational-database-service-rds.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Relational Database...

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/integrations)

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_7c23f7efbbad335c53ed6bdca9953572/etl-tools.png "Product Avatar Image")

ETL tools

](https://www.g2.com/products/etl-tools/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/integrations)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Amazon EMR**

**8.7** /10

Based on 55 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**

**8.6** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Use

**Amazon EMR**

**8.3** /10

Based on 54 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**

**8.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

Ease of Setup

**Amazon EMR**

**8.6** /10

Based on 27 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark** Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**Amazon EMR**

**8.6** /10

Based on 22 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark** Not enough data

Quality of Support

**Amazon EMR**

**8.3** /10

Based on 53 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**

**8.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Amazon EMR**

**8.9** /10

Based on 22 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark** Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**Amazon EMR**

**8.1** /10

Based on 48 responses

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark**

**8.9** /10

Based on 11 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Big Data Processing and Distribution

**8.8** /10

Based on 43 responses

**8.7** /10

Based on 10 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
21.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
21.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
58.1%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
21.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
21.0%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
58.1%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
43.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
31.3%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
25.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
43.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
31.3%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Amazon EMR](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476487/amazon-emr.svg "Amazon EMR")](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews)
Amazon EMR

Financial Services
23.0%

Computer Software
21.3%

Information Technology and Services
14.8%

Retail
4.9%

Biotechnology
3.3%

Other
32.8%

[![Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_0c51d2c2e5f85fe45126eb818f748267/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark.png "Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark")](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews)
Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark

Information Technology and Services
25.0%

Retail
12.5%

Marketing and Advertising
6.3%

Hospital & Health Care
6.3%

Higher Education
6.3%

Other
43.8%

Alternatives

**Amazon EMR Alternatives**

 ![Databricks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/135d1c9e39e19ef56dc8d0bf90fce20f/databricks.svg "Databricks")

[
Databricks
](/products/databricks/reviews)

 ![Snowflake](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1544409170/snowflake.svg "Snowflake")

[
Snowflake
](/products/snowflake/reviews)

 ![Qubole](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1542306394/qubole.svg "Qubole")

[
Qubole
](/products/qubole/reviews)

 ![Azure HDInsight](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f8a2fdaa6a98b6c3313197f7d8472d1b/azure-hdinsight.jpg "Azure HDInsight")

[
Azure HDInsight
](/products/azure-hdinsight/reviews)

**Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark Alternatives**

 ![Databricks](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/135d1c9e39e19ef56dc8d0bf90fce20f/databricks.svg "Databricks")

[
Databricks
](/products/databricks/reviews)

 ![Cloudera](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/dcfb9e6879febb34cef773ddde921835/cloudera.svg "Cloudera")

[
Cloudera
](/products/cloudera/reviews)

 ![Azure Data Factory](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-data-factory.jpg "Azure Data Factory")

[
Azure Data Factory
](/products/azure-data-factory/reviews)

 ![Azure Data Lake Store](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_f176b4154a751d10150daa67a57b7dc5/azure-data-lake-store.jpg "Azure Data Lake Store")

[
Azure Data Lake Store
](/products/azure-data-lake-store/reviews)

## Amazon EMR vs Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Amazon EMR vs Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark?

Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is rated slightly higher by reviewers than Amazon EMR, with a notable edge in Ease of Use and Quality of Support.

| | [Amazon EMR](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews) | [Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.2/5 (70 reviews) | 4.3/5 (18 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup score | 8.6 | — |
| Quality of Support score | 8.3 | 8.8 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Data Integration | — |

### How do the pricing models of Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark compare?

Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing and cost management.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers note that while Amazon EMR can save money through features like auto-termination and spot instances, cost management requires attention and can become complex if clusters are not configured optimally.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Recent reviews highlight that idle cluster deletion and autoscaling help save costs, but some reviewers wish for clearer cost visibility upfront and find pricing confusing when jobs run longer than expected.

### What are the best alternatives to Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark?

The top three alternatives to Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark are Databricks, Snowflake, and Cloudera.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Amazon EMR](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-emr/reviews) | 4.2/5 (70 reviews) | — | Reviewers cite cost savings with spot instances and auto-termination, but note cost management can be complex. | Data Integration |
| [Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-managed-service-for-apache-spark/reviews) | 4.3/5 (18 reviews) | — | Reviewers highlight cost-saving features like idle cluster deletion, but mention pricing can be confusing for longer jobs. | — |
| [Databricks](https://www.g2.com/products/databricks/reviews) | 4.6/5 (1366 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |
| [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) | 4.6/5 (763 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [Cloudera](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudera/reviews) | 4.1/5 (136 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — |

### Which Big Data Processing and Distribution features should I prioritize when comparing Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark?

Buyers should prioritize Data Lake capabilities, Ease of Use, Quality of Support, Cost Management, and Integration with cloud storage and orchestration tools.

- **Data Lake:** Amazon EMR is frequently cited for its integration with S3 and data lake use cases; Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is noted for integration with BigQuery and Cloud Storage.
- **Ease of Use:** Amazon EMR scores 8.3; Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark scores 8.8.
- **Quality of Support:** Amazon EMR scores 8.3; Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark scores 8.8.
- **Cost Management:** Reviewers highlight Amazon EMR's spot instance savings and auto-termination, while Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is praised for idle cluster deletion and autoscaling.
- **Integration:** Amazon EMR is cited for integration with S3 and Airflow; Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is noted for BigQuery and Cloud Storage integration.

### What are the pros and cons of Amazon EMR vs Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark?

Amazon EMR's headline strength is its deep integration with AWS services and cost-saving features, while Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark stands out for autoscaling and ease of use.

- **Amazon EMR strengths:** Reviewers highlight integration with S3 and Airflow, flexible framework support (Spark, Hadoop, Hive), auto-scaling, and cost savings via spot instances and auto-termination.
- **Amazon EMR trade-offs:** Reviewers note cluster configuration and optimization can be complex, cost management requires attention, and there is no serverless model. Some mention slow auto-scaling and older versions of open-source tools.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark strengths:** Reviewers praise autoscaling, idle cluster deletion for cost savings, quick job startup, and integration with BigQuery and Cloud Storage.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark trade-offs:** Reviewers mention documentation could be improved, pricing can be confusing for long-running jobs, and autoscaling may not always trigger on time.

### Is Amazon EMR or Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark better for small businesses?

Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is the better fit for small businesses, with reviewers citing its cost-saving features and ease of use.

- **Amazon EMR:** No largest segment data available, but reviewers note it is cost-efficient for startups and offers flexible configuration, though it may require AWS expertise for setup.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Reviewers highlight the $300 free cloud credit for new users, cost-saving features like idle cluster deletion, and ease of use for small website users.

### Which Big Data Processing and Distribution platform has better integrations?

Amazon EMR is favored for integrations, with reviewers specifically citing its connections to S3 and Airflow.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers mention integration with S3 and Airflow for orchestration and data storage.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Reviewers note integration with BigQuery and Cloud Storage for analytics and data movement.

### How do Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark compare on customer support?

Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark scores higher on Quality of Support, with a 0.5-point advantage over Amazon EMR.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers describe support as generally helpful, though some mention challenges with troubleshooting and the need to open tickets for edge cases.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Reviewers consistently praise the support team as helpful, especially during critical issues, and rate support highly in recent reviews.

### Which is easier to implement, Amazon EMR or Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark?

Amazon EMR and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark are rated at parity on Ease of Setup, with Amazon EMR scoring 8.6 and Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark lacking a published score but receiving positive qualitative feedback.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers frequently mention that setup is straightforward for those familiar with AWS, but initial configuration can be complex for new users.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Reviewers highlight that cluster creation is easy and quick, with no need to manage infrastructure, though some note documentation could be improved.

### Which product has better Data Lake?

Amazon EMR is more frequently cited for Data Lake use cases, especially for integration with S3 and large-scale data processing.

- **Amazon EMR:** Reviewers consistently mention using EMR for data lake workloads, S3 integration, and large-scale ETL jobs; Data Integration is a top-cited strength.
- **Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark:** Reviewers note integration with BigQuery and Cloud Storage for data lake scenarios, but with fewer explicit mentions than Amazon EMR.

## Amazon EMR vs Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark

- Reviewers felt that Amazon EMR meets the needs of their business better than Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Google Cloud Managed Service for Apache Spark over Amazon EMR.