# Google Compute Engine Reviews **Vendor:** Google **Category:** [Auto Scaling Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/auto-scaling) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 955 ## About Google Compute Engine Compute Engine is Google's infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform for organizations to create and run cloud-based virtual machines. ## Google Compute Engine Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users value the **ease of use** of Google Compute Engine, appreciating its intuitive and clear interface for provisioning resources. (76 reviews) - Users value the **scalability** of Google Compute Engine, praising its customizable VMs and seamless integration with other Google services. (69 reviews) - Users appreciate the **ease of use and quick setup** of Google Compute Engine for various virtual machine needs. (64 reviews) - Users admire the **ease of use and implementation** of Google Compute Engine, enabling quick setup and smooth performance. (58 reviews) - Users value the **flexibility and control** of Google Compute Engine, enhancing infrastructure management and resource allocation. (54 reviews) - Users appreciate the **flexibility** of Google Compute Engine to adjust VMs based on project needs efficiently. (50 reviews) - Integrations (49 reviews) - Performance (45 reviews) - Reliability (37 reviews) - User Interface (36 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users find **pricing issues** challenging in Google Compute Engine, often struggling with cost predictions and complexity. (49 reviews) - Users find Google Compute Engine **expensive** , with confusing pricing and higher costs for advanced support plans. (45 reviews) - Users find **cost management confusing** and feel overwhelmed by the complex interface and unpredictable pricing. (33 reviews) - Users find the **complexity of the interface** challenging, particularly when managing advanced configurations on Google Compute Engine. (30 reviews) - Users find the **steep learning curve** of Google Compute Engine a hassle, especially for beginners navigating its complexities. (27 reviews) - Users often find the **pricing structure complex** , making it challenging for beginners to navigate effectively. (26 reviews) - Difficult Learning (22 reviews) - Not User-Friendly (21 reviews) - Steep Learning Curve (20 reviews) - Unexpected Costs (19 reviews) ## Google Compute Engine Reviews ### 1. Easy Setup, Flexible Instances, and Great Value on Google Compute Engine **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Matthew C. | Medium Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 26, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** Google Compute Engine is a good option for anyone who needs a virtual computer system to run a wide range of computing applications and projects. I especially like the broad selection of instances to choose from, as well as how easy it is to set up and manage using both the GUI and the command-line interface. I am able to setup my instances quickly at a cost that is not too prohibitive. Their multimodal AI Gemini, is also integrated for those who need it, I personally did not need it. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** I dislike the fact that many times I am denied access to higher performance gpu compute to run my AI intensive applications mainly because they are reserved for larger organizations . **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** Google compute engine is solving the problem of difficulty setting up VM instances and provides quick fast and reliable solutions which increase the efficiency of my DevOps operations. ### 2. Powerful but Complex: Great for Advanced Users **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Safa K. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I really like how Google Compute Engine gives me full control over the virtual machines. I can choose CPU, memory, OS, and storage based on my workload without any restrictions. Scalability is strong too; I can start small and scale up instantly as my workload grows. This is important for handling large geospatial data and machine learning pipelines. The performance is reliable, and instances remain stable even under high processing loads, which is great for long-running jobs. Communication is smooth as well, and it works well with the rest of Google Cloud, like storage, BigQuery, and AI tools. It especially helps with GIS and data pipelines by removing hardware limitations and giving me speed and control. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** Some areas need improvements. The setup is not beginner-friendly, like dealing with networking and IAM slows me down when I just want to run a quick job. The cost visibility can be confusing, and billing is granular. Small mistakes like leaving instances running can increase costs fast, and alerts need manual setup. The cost management overhead means I still manage VMs, patch, monitor, and optimize, rather than it being fully handled like serverless. GPU and quota limits can take time to sort out and block fast experimentation. Overall, it's powerful but not simple, and I need cloud experience to use it efficiently. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Google Compute Engine to overcome local computing limits, handle large datasets, and run heavy processing tasks like GIS and machine learning. It provides scalable compute power without needing physical servers, enabling faster and more flexible system deployment. ### 3. Streamlined AI Training with Google Compute Engine, But Needs Longer Sessions **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Arban O. | Software Architect & Founder GEN 6 AI LAB, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 10, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I like the integration of Gemini with Google Compute Engine, as it allows me to create a markdown file on my server, download it with the training data, and let Gemini handle the scripting. This integration makes my tasks a lot easier and faster. I'm also looking forward to trying the Google Drive integration for longer training sessions because of the time limit, which seems promising for my workflow. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** I would be happier if the time limitation could be longer, because it's not even 12H. I got about 1H and then it told me to stop because of high demand, so after that I could only use CPU, but it would take forever to train the model on that. Maybe the UI is a little bit messy. When you have lots of scripts, you have to scroll up or down and search for the training script etc. This could use an upgrade. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Google Compute Engine because my server lacks a GPU, which would take forever to train my AI model. I like the integration with Gemini for easier and faster scripting, and I'm excited to try Google Drive integration for longer training sessions. ### 4. It's been my main vm in the cloud for a couple of years. Eeasy of access, very customizable **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Manuel Roberto V. | Desarrollador y dueño, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 07, 2023 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I love how practical and easy to use it is; it has really improved the way I manage my VMs. It gives me plenty of options to create and configure different settings for some of my older services running there. The integration with the Google CLI is great and gives me more control. I also appreciate the pricing best practices it supports, like shutting down machines at night or setting different schedules. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** Between AWS EC2 and GCE, AWS EC2 used to have the worst documentation out there, but now GCE takes first place. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** Docker server, services in the cloud and web hosting ### 5. Effortless Deployment, Needs Better Access Control **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Computer Software | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I really like how I can start a Google Compute Engine instance by clicking on the SSH button that is available on the portal, so I don't need to hassle with installing gcloud or SSH to my own terminal. It is a really handy feature. I really like its user interface—everything I need is visible. For example, if I need an external IP, it's already visible in the table at the top. It doesn't waste time; everything is just right there available on the screen. The initial setup was really smooth because of the SSH button. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** I can't see or update anything of backend files if the person responsible is on leave or if the backend suddenly breaks. I wish there was a way to control access so any developer can decide who else can access their folder. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can easily start a Google Compute Engine instance with the SSH button on the portal, avoiding the hassle of installing gcloud and SSH on my terminal. The user interface is efficient, with essential information like external IPs readily visible, which saves time. ### 6. Great VM flexibility if you want control over your cloud infrastructure **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Information Technology and Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** One thing I really like about Google Compute Engine is how much control it gives you over your virtual machines. You can choose the exact CPU, memory, disk type, and networking configuration depending on what you need. It’s very flexible compared to some higher-level managed services. In my day-to-day work I also appreciate how well it fits into automation workflows. Spinning up instances, attaching disks, or modifying infrastructure is easy through APIs or infrastructure-as-code tools. Once everything is defined properly, you can recreate environments pretty quickly. Overall it feels reliable and production-ready, which is really important when you’re running backend services. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** The pricing model can take some time to fully understand. There are a lot of small components that affect the final cost, like machine types, storage, and network traffic. If you’re not paying attention it’s easy to underestimate how much something will cost. Another minor downside is the cloud console. It’s powerful but sometimes feels cluttered, especially when you’re trying to find a specific configuration option. After using it for a while it becomes easier, but the first impression can be a bit overwhelming. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** Using Google Compute Engine basically removes the need to worry about physical infrastructure. Instead of managing hardware or provisioning servers manually, we can launch instances whenever we need them. ### 7. Powerful scalability with a small learning curve **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vadym S. | Senior Backend Developer, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I used Google Compute Engine to run microservices and test new ones. I really like that you can manage infrastructure with code, which allows for quick automation of server deployments and configurations through scripts. Scaling the infrastructure as the load increases is extremely convenient. I especially appreciate the flexible orchestration in GKE and the quick configuration of VM Instances. The monitoring also impressed me. Integration with the load balancer and the ability to quickly deploy a virtual server without setting up physical hardware greatly facilitate the work. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** Sometimes the interface can be a bit complex for beginners because there are many configurations and components. Also, the pricing model is not always immediately clear, as the cost is composed of several parameters - computing resources, network, disks, and other services. It would be nice to have a simpler and more visual cost calculation for new users, and of course, discounts for different categories of users. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I can quickly deploy servers for microservices and testing without purchasing physical equipment. Scaling with increased load is very convenient. Code management automates deployment, which is important for microservices, and testing code in different environments has become easier. ### 8. Highly Customizable and Reliable Cloud Platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aries B. | Technology Analyst | Verint SaaS - Digital Solutions, Information Technology and Services, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 08, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** One of the things I like most i like about Google Engine is that I can create highly customized machine types with exact CPU and memory specs based on the specific workloads. The live migration is also a massive advantage, as it keeps my instances running smoothly even during backend maintenance. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** While the core features are robust, I find that some of the documentation are outdated or lacks in-depth troubleshooting steps. I also find that the premium tech support cost can be quite high for smaller organizations that aren't on an enterprise level. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am able to solve the challenges of managing physical hardware by using Google Compute Engine's scalability. pay-as-you-go virtual machine environment. This benefits me because I can use custom machine types and autoscaling to handle traffic spikes efficiently while keeping my infrastructure cost optimized. ### 9. Effortless Management, Scalable Solutions with Room for Improvement **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Alejandro B. | DevOps Engineer Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 19, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I find Google Compute Engine easy to manage, thanks to the gcli, and it's easy to scale both vertically and horizontally without much hassle. It's simpler than AWS since I don't need to stop and resize for maintenance. I appreciate the tight integration with IAM, which helps with permission provisioning. The setup was pretty easy and fast. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** What I don't really like is the division of the projects around it. I need a project on GCP for everything, and having it all divided can be quite a handful to manage with all my Google Compute Engine having to switch this up. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** Google Compute Engine makes it easy to manage infrastructure, scale applications without hassle, and manage security effectively. Its integration with IAM simplifies permission provisioning, and the Google Cloud CLI eases management even compared to AWS. ### 10. Scalable Powerhouse for Deep Learning **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Siddhartha S. | Sr.Data Scientist, Enterprise (> 1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 14, 2026 **What do you like best about Google Compute Engine?** I like the scaling of resources on Google Compute Engine. It's great that I can go from using 2 T4 to 6 H100 quickly. Once the permission is granted from my organization, I can get 6 more resources on the same day. We can turn off the training, change the config, add extra resources, and restart training all in one day. The initial setup was easy, especially because I've used AWS before, and this felt easier once the credentials were set. **What do you dislike about Google Compute Engine?** I mean BigQuery is still separate and sometimes when running a large SQL query, it takes time. I wish they could add compute there as well. **What problems is Google Compute Engine solving and how is that benefiting you?** I use Google Compute Engine for training and inference, benefiting from quick resource scaling, like switching from 2 T4 to 6 H100 in a day, enhancing our deep learning capabilities. ## Google Compute Engine Discussions - [What is a compute instance?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-a-compute-instance) - 2 comments, 2 upvotes - [Is Google Compute Engine PaaS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-google-compute-engine-paas) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [What does Google Compute Engine do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-does-google-compute-engine-do) - 4 comments, 1 upvote - [Can I get the manual to understand the different features of it ?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-get-the-manual-to-understand-the-different-features-of-it) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [Feature Max Limit and Partnership](https://www.g2.com/discussions/feature-max-limit-and-partnership) - 1 comment, 1 upvote - [View Google Compute Engine pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/google-compute-engine/reviews/google-compute-engine-review-3765624?section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-03+18%3A22%3A50+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=4dc16666-5803-4f86-85af-112d8614ab0b&secure%5Btoken%5D=ad5bc43e1c79454b257835c48083028d38f5d5808661560ea421e2c61d642b04&format=llm_user) ## Google Compute Engine Integrations - [Airbyte](https://www.g2.com/products/airbyte/reviews) - [Coralogix](https://www.g2.com/products/coralogix/reviews) - [Datadog](https://www.g2.com/products/datadog/reviews) - [Docker](https://www.g2.com/products/docker-inc-docker/reviews) - [Firebase](https://www.g2.com/products/firebase/reviews) - [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) - [Google Cloud BigQuery](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-bigquery/reviews) - [Google Cloud Load Balancing](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-load-balancing/reviews) - [Google Cloud Monitoring](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-monitoring/reviews) - [Google Cloud SQL](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-sql/reviews) - [Google Cloud Storage](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-storage/reviews) - [Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE)](https://www.g2.com/products/google-kubernetes-engine-gke/reviews) - [Google Maps Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/google-maps-platform/reviews) - [Google Translate](https://www.g2.com/products/google-translate/reviews) - [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews) - [IBM Terraform (formerly HashiCorp Terraform)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-terraform-formerly-hashicorp-terraform/reviews) - [Jenkins](https://www.g2.com/products/jenkins/reviews) - [Kubernetes](https://www.g2.com/products/kubernetes/reviews) - [Microsoft Power BI](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-microsoft-power-bi/reviews) - [MongoDB Atlas](https://www.g2.com/products/mongodb-atlas/reviews) - [MySQL](https://www.g2.com/products/mysql/reviews) - [New Relic](https://www.g2.com/products/new-relic/reviews) - [Snowflake](https://www.g2.com/products/snowflake/reviews) - [SonarQube](https://www.g2.com/products/sonarqube/reviews) - [Verint Workforce Management](https://www.g2.com/products/verint-workforce-management/reviews) - [Visual Studio Code](https://www.g2.com/products/visual-studio-code/reviews) - [WordPress.org](https://www.g2.com/products/wordpress-org/reviews) ## Google Compute Engine Features **Functionality** - Cloud Consolidation - Cloud Orchestration - Cloud Optimization **Infrastructure Provision** - Public Cloud - Private Cloud - Hybrid Cloud - Bare Metal - High-Performance Computing (HPC) - Virtual Machines (VMs) - Edge Computing - Virtual Networks **Performance** - Scalability - Portability - Data Recovery **Automated resource scaling** - Automatic resource discovery - Smart scaling **Management** - Cloud Cost Analytics - Cloud Security - Cloud Resource Management - Cloud Backup and Recovery **Management** - Pay by Usage - Usage Tracking - Performance Tracking **Functionality** - OS Integration - Resource Saving - Performance Management - Security **Scaling strategies** - Pre-defined optimization strategies - Predictive scaling **Functionality** - Resource Auto-Scaling **Visualization** - Unified scaling - Dashboard **Agentic AI - Cloud Management Platforms** - Autonomous Task Execution - Cross-system Integration - Decision Making **Agentic AI - Server Virtualization** - Autonomous Task Execution - Multi-step Planning - Cross-system Integration - Adaptive Learning - Proactive Assistance - Decision Making ## Top Google Compute Engine Alternatives - [Azure Virtual Machines](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-virtual-machines/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (375 reviews) - [Vultr](https://www.g2.com/products/vultr/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (281 reviews) - [Amazon EC2](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-ec2/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (1,130 reviews)