Start with AWS EC2 (enterprise governance + ecosystem)
If you need raw virtual machines with full OS control, custom networking, and the ability to run any software stack, start with IaaS providers — AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, or Azure VMs. These are the right choice when your workload has specific compliance requirements, needs to run in a particular cloud ecosystem, or requires capabilities (GPU instances, bare metal, specific instance families) that PaaS platforms don't expose. The trade-off is operational overhead: you own patching, scaling logic, and infrastructure management. Don't choose IaaS just because it's familiar — if a PaaS or managed service handles your workload, the operational savings are significant.
- Recommendation: AWS EC2
Recommended starting points
Based on your constraints, these products typically fit best. Read each decision brief to confirm pricing behavior and limits match your reality.
AWS EC2
General-purpose virtual machines on AWS for teams that need full control over runtime, networking, and scaling patterns.
Why this recommendation
If you need raw virtual machines with full OS control, custom networking, and the ability to run any software stack, start with IaaS providers — AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, or Azure VMs. These are the right choice when your workload has specific compliance requirements, needs to run in a particular cloud ecosystem, or requires capabilities (GPU instances, bare metal, specific instance families) that PaaS platforms don't expose. The trade-off is operational overhead: you own patching, scaling logic, and infrastructure management. Don't choose IaaS just because it's familiar — if a PaaS or managed service handles your workload, the operational savings are significant.