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When choosing the right database service on Google Cloud Platform (GCP), two names often come up—Cloud Spanner and Cloud SQL. Both offer managed database services, but they serve different purposes, have different use cases, and offer varying levels of scalability, availability, and cost.
In this article, we’ll explore Cloud Spanner vs Cloud SQL in detail so you can make an informed choice based on your project needs.
Cloud SQL is a fully managed relational database service that supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server. It’s designed for traditional applications that rely on relational databases, offering familiarity and ease of migration from on-premise systems.
Cloud SQL is ideal if you’re building web apps, CMS systems, or business apps that don’t need global distribution or massive scaling capabilities.
Cloud Spanner is Google Cloud’s globally distributed, strongly consistent relational database. It combines the benefits of traditional RDBMS (ACID transactions, SQL support) with horizontal scalability typically found in NoSQL databases.
Cloud Spanner is a better choice for enterprises building applications that require massive scalability, like financial systems, global SaaS platforms, or supply chain management tools.
Feature | Cloud SQL | Cloud Spanner |
---|---|---|
Scalability | Vertical (limited) | Horizontal, global distribution |
Consistency | Strong within a single region | Global strong consistency |
Availability | Up to 99.95% | Up to 99.999% SLA |
Database Engines | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server | Spanner SQL (similar to PostgreSQL) |
Storage Limits | 64 TB (for MySQL/PostgreSQL) | Virtually unlimited |
Use Case Fit | Web apps, small/medium DBs | Enterprise-scale, globally distributed |
Cost | More budget-friendly | Premium pricing for premium performance |
Latency | Lower (local databases) | Slightly higher due to global sync |
Backups and Restore | Built-in | Built-in, point-in-time recovery |
Choose Cloud SQL when:
It’s perfect for small businesses, internal tools, and development/test environments.
Choose Cloud Spanner when:
It is ideal for financial services, online retail, gaming backends, or SaaS products with global user bases.
Imagine you’re building a real-time analytics platform for a global e-commerce website.
Both Cloud Spanner and Cloud SQL are powerful, but choosing between them depends on your application’s needs. Cloud SQL shines in simplicity and familiarity, ideal for moderate workloads. Cloud Spanner is built for scale, reliability, and global performance—though it comes with a higher cost.
Understanding Cloud Spanner vs Cloud SQL helps you avoid overengineering your infrastructure or hitting performance ceilings when scaling. Always evaluate your current and future requirements before committing.
Need help deciding or building your architecture on GCP? Connect with experts who can guide you on database strategy, migration, and optimization.
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