# Google Cloud SQL vs Google Cloud Spanner Comparison

| | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 366 | 36 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (40.2% of reviews) | Enterprise (41.9% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Pay As You Go Per Month | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Google Cloud SQL

Pros:
- Database Management (22 reviews)
- Integrations (21 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (17 reviews)
- Cost Concerns (7 reviews)

### Google Cloud Spanner

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.1 (255 reviews) | 8.7 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.2 (263 reviews) | 7.8 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.1 (117 reviews) | 8.2 (10 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.0 (98 reviews) | 8.7 (9 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.8 (247 reviews) | 8.6 (20 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (96 reviews) | 8.3 (10 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.4 (252 reviews) | 8.4 (22 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Google Cloud SQL

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Committed Use Discounts

Price: Pay As You Go Per Month

Description: You can lower the cost by purchasing 1-year or 3-year commitment plans. Visit cloud.google.com/sql/pricing to check pricing for your region.

Key Features:
- CPU and memory
- Other features are available only through on-demand model

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Google Cloud Spanner

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Database Management Systems (DBMS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud SQL** | 9.0/10 | 114 |
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | N/A | N/A |

#### Management

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data dictionary** | 8.8 (94 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Replication** | 8.8 (96 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Query Language** | 9.2 (100 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Modeling** | 8.9 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Analysis** | 9.1 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Maintenance

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Migration** | 9.0 (99 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Backup and Recovery** | 9.1 (104 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-User Environment** | 8.7 (99 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Encryption** | 9.2 (98 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **User Access Control** | 9.2 (99 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Relational Databases

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud SQL** | 9.1/10 | 145 |
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | 8.7/10 | 16 |

#### Management 

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Schema** | 9.1 (106 reviews) | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 9.3 (106 reviews) | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **ACID - Complaint** | 9.2 (101 reviews) | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 
| **Data Replication** | 9.3 (101 reviews) | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 

#### Support 

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Text Search** | 8.9 (106 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Data Types** | 9.1 (107 reviews) | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Languages** | 8.9 (102 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Operating Systems** | 8.9 (103 reviews) | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Database Locking** | 9.1 (101 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Access Control** | 9.1 (104 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Encryption** | 9.2 (104 reviews) | 9.4 (6 reviews) | 
| **Authentication** | 9.2 (108 reviews) | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 

#### Performance 

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Disaster Recovery** | 9.1 (110 reviews) | 7.8 (6 reviews) | 
| **Data Concurrency** | 9.0 (103 reviews) | 9.2 (6 reviews) | 
| **Workload Management** | 9.0 (104 reviews) | 8.9 (6 reviews) | 
| **Advanced Indexing** | 8.8 (101 reviews) | 7.5 (6 reviews) | 
| **Query Optimizer** | 9.0 (101 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 

#### Database Features

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Storage** | 9.2 (130 reviews) | 9.5 (13 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.2 (132 reviews) | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 
| **Stability** | 9.1 (130 reviews) | 9.0 (13 reviews) | 
| **Scalability** | 9.0 (130 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 
| **Security** | 9.3 (124 reviews) | 8.9 (12 reviews) | 
| **Data Manipulation** | 8.9 (124 reviews) | 8.3 (13 reviews) | 
| **Query Language** | 9.2 (125 reviews) | 8.6 (13 reviews) | 

### Database as a Service (DBaaS)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Google Cloud SQL** | 9.0/10 | 109 |
| **Google Cloud Spanner** | 7.6/10 | 12 |

#### Configuration

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Application Performance** | 9.2 (92 reviews) | 8.2 (10 reviews) | 
| **Orchestration** | 8.7 (85 reviews) | 7.6 (9 reviews) | 
| **Database Monitoring** | 9.0 (92 reviews) | 7.3 (10 reviews) | 
| **Anomaly Detection** | 8.9 (81 reviews) | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 
| **Network Security** | 9.4 (87 reviews) | 8.1 (8 reviews) | 

#### Database Administration

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Provisioning** | 8.9 (87 reviews) | 8.2 (10 reviews) | 
| **Governance** | 8.8 (83 reviews) | 6.3 (10 reviews) | 
| **Auditing** | 8.8 (82 reviews) | 7.0 (10 reviews) | 

#### Availability

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Scalability** | 9.2 (93 reviews) | 8.8 (10 reviews) | 
| **Backup** | 9.2 (91 reviews) | 6.7 (9 reviews) | 
| **Archiving** | 8.9 (86 reviews) | 7.0 (10 reviews) | 
| **Indexing** | 8.9 (84 reviews) | 8.1 (9 reviews) | 

#### Security

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Masking** | 8.7 (74 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication And Single Sign-On** | 9.1 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Data Anonymization** | 8.9 (75 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Data Management

| Feature | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Data Replication** | 9.2 (82 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Advanced Data Analytics** | 8.8 (76 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (2):** [Relational Databases](https://www.g2.com/categories/relational-databases), [Database as a Service (DBaaS) Providers](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-as-a-service-dbaas)

**Unique to Google Cloud SQL (1):** [Database Management Systems (DBMS)](https://www.g2.com/categories/database-management-systems-dbms)



---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Google Cloud SQL | Google Cloud Spanner | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 33.6% | 32.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 40.2% | 25.8% | 
| **Enterprise** | 26.2% | 41.9% | 

### By Industry

#### Google Cloud SQL

- **Information Technology and Services:** 23.5%
- **Computer Software:** 18.0%
- **Staffing and Recruiting:** 6.4%
- **Banking:** 5.8%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 4.1%
- **Retail:** 3.8%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.8%
- **Financial Services:** 3.2%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.3%
- **Consulting:** 1.5%
- **Other:** 27.6%

#### Google Cloud Spanner

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.0%
- **Computer Software:** 16.7%
- **Transportation/Trucking/Railroad:** 6.7%
- **Biotechnology:** 6.7%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 3.3%
- **Automotive:** 3.3%
- **Building Materials:** 3.3%
- **Computer Games:** 3.3%
- **Consumer Services:** 3.3%
- **Education Management:** 3.3%
- **Other:** 30.0%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Google Cloud SQL

- [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (2272 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (906 reviews)
- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)
- [Azure SQL Database](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-sql-database/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (240 reviews)
- [Supabase](https://www.g2.com/products/supabase-supabase/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (42 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (677 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [IBM Db2](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-db2/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (682 reviews)
- [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.g2.com/products/mongodb-atlas/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (370 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1009 reviews)

### Alternatives to Google Cloud Spanner

- [Amazon Aurora](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-aurora/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (457 reviews)
- [Oracle Database](https://www.g2.com/products/oracle-database/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (1009 reviews)
- [PostgreSQL](https://www.g2.com/products/postgresql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (677 reviews)
- [Amazon DynamoDB](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-web-services-aws-amazon-dynamodb/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (529 reviews)
- [Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS)](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-relational-database-service-rds/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (906 reviews)
- [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.g2.com/products/mongodb-atlas/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (370 reviews)
- [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (1675 reviews)
- [Azure Cosmos DB](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-cosmos-db/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (68 reviews)
- [Neo4j Graph Database](https://www.g2.com/products/neo4j-graph-database/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (133 reviews)
- [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-sql-server/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (2272 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Google Cloud SQL

- Title: [What is Cloud SQL?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-cloud-sql) — 3 comments *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Cloud SQL is a fully managed relational database service for MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server with rich extension collections, configuration flags, and..."
- Title: [What is Google Cloud SQL used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-google-cloud-sql-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Cloud SQL automates tasks such as: Backups, Replication, Patches, Encryption, Storage capacity increases."
- Title: [How much is Google Cloud SQL?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-is-google-cloud-sql) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It depends on different type of instances and configuration you use. It starts from 0.01 USD per hour."
- Title: [What are the features of Cloud SQL?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-features-of-cloud-sql) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Reduces maintenance cost and automates database provisioning, storage capacity, replication and backup. "

### Google Cloud Spanner

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/google-cloud-sql-vs-google-cloud-spanner)