Disadvantages of Google Cloud Platform : What You Need to Know

Lack of data control 

One of the most significant drawbacks is the lack of control. If you're running a business, you'll be concerned about how your data is stored on the Google Cloud Platform.

You'd want to know how your data is stored and what you can do to access it, but the limited control will only allow for that to happen. A business that has to comply with strict data regulations may view it as a significant down point.

Lack of transparency in security protocols

The next point is the need for more transparency in security protocols. There needs to be more transparency about how these security protocols play a role in securing your data.

 This is a significant concern for you or your business if you require complete visibility with no hidden traits into their security processes.

Especially if your organization or business had to comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you'd have to look into the matter.

There's also minimal information on how Google Cloud tackles security incidents. The limited information paves the path for genuine concerns about the effectiveness of their platform.

Dependence on Google's infrastructure and policies

Google needs more wiggle room when it comes to changing its policies. So, if you use the platform, you'll have to be utterly dependent on the infrastructure and policies laid out by Google.

Even though Google has a strong reputation for reliable and scalable infrastructure, some users experience downtime or issues with Google. The no control over the Google policies also limits your customization requirements if you need them.

Dependence on internet connectivity

Google has dependence issues. It's completely reliant on the internet and only does something useful. That means you can only access your data online with a stable, well-built, strong connection.

Latency issues, complete service disruption, or other issues are just some things you can experience. This is a huge concern for companies that require constant access to their data without any obstacles.

Latency issues

We highlighted latency issues above. Latency is the delay time between sending a request and receiving the response to the request. For the Google Cloud Platform, latency is a huge concern.

Consider the distance between you (the user) and the data center where your data is stored. If the distance is too great, you can expect a long time before you get access to your data.

Especially when the infrastructure is not optimized for high-speed transfer, you should be ready to face latency issues.

Downtime risks

On its own, the Google Cloud Platform is very reliable and secure. However, the dependency on the internet exposes the platform to downtime.

If the internet connection is unstable, you might face downtime, connectivity issues, or any other uncalled events.

Downtime can lead to less productivity, your revenue, and even damage your company's reputation.

Complex pricing structures

Receiving unexpected charges is something you never have on your bucket list. Since the Google Cloud Platform has numerous pricing models, it can be hard to keep up with the services provided in each model and how using these services can whip up unexpected charges for you.

The complex pricing models make it extremely difficult to predict the costs accurately or even come up with a good estimate, making it a major disadvantage.

Unexpected cost implications

There are a number of factors that can affect your bill and cause upsurges in what you'll have to pay. Factors like usage spikes or unintentionally active services that you have no idea of can incur additional costs that you did not sign up for.

Moreover, there's also an underlying problem of hidden costs associated with factors like storage costs or data transfer fees.

Lack of budget control

The last point is the lack of budget control. Even though the Google Cloud Platform does offer tools to let you track your usage metrics and control costs, you can still face challenges due to the complexity involved.

All these factors translate to unexpected costs, difficulty in predicting future usage, or choosing the wrong pricing model. These problems make it hard to stay within your allocated budget.

Steep learning curve

Every application you use or learning new skills has a learning curve. We get that. However, the Google Cloud Platform doesn't have space for a slow learning curve. You have to adapt to the platform real quick if you want to get the most out of it.

Expecting to get optimal results while learning everything at a slow pace can slow down your adoption rate and result in increased use of resources spent on training and time.

Limited technical support

Another major down point is the lack of technical support. You won't get 24/7 support if you facing an issue. Support may also be limited to certain regions or time zones, and you'll have to wait in long queues before you get to discuss your issue.

Most time you might not be able to discuss the issue with a qualified support representative due to the high influx of other users. This can be a huge issue for businesses looking for quick responses to issue resolution or solving other technical issues.

Difficulties in integrating with other services

The Google Cloud Platform isn't the only service you'll be using for your business problems. Although the platform has numerous services and products, it doesn't do quite well when you'd want to integrate the service with other third-party platforms.

You'll have to be a technical geek if you'd want to optimize the platform's usage with other third-party apps. Some services offered may also require you to have the necessary APIs (application programming interface) to help out with the integration.

Limited compatibility with non-Google services

Google Cloud Platform is primarily designed to work with other Google services. This can be a disadvantage for users who need to integrate it with non-Google services.

The platform does provide some integration room with non-Google services like Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, but these come with limitations and require in-depth knowledge for proper setup and maintenance.

Lack of support for open-source software

Different businesses have different requirements and workflows. So, if you're using a third-party open-source application, the Google Cloud Platform won't offer you much assistance in that arena.

For instance, if you wish to integrate the platform with an application like Apache Spark or Kubernetes, you may not get the support.

This problem is a major downside for businesses that rely on these open-source software for their business operations.

Vendor lock-in

The last factor is vendor lock-in, which is propelled due to the Google Cloud Platform's limited compliance with other services and limited support for open-source software.

That means you'll have to battle problems and find it difficult when switching to another provider because you'll be entirely dependent on Google's services.

Moreover, you can also experience challenges when extracting your data and application stored on the Google Cloud platform if you'd want to switch providers.