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Google Cloud Spanner vs Oracle Database as a Service comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 12, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Google Cloud Spanner
Ranking in Database as a Service (DBaaS)
9th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
5
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Oracle Database as a Service
Ranking in Database as a Service (DBaaS)
5th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
67
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Database as a Service (DBaaS) category, the mindshare of Google Cloud Spanner is 4.4%, up from 3.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Database as a Service is 8.8%, up from 8.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Database as a Service (DBaaS)
 

Featured Reviews

Ethan Lo - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable and scalable relational database that ensures a return on investment for its users
The most valuable feature of the solution is its scalability. Scalability comes with two options, among which Google Cloud Spanner can scale horizontally, compared to other relational databases that scale vertically. You can change Google Cloud Spanner's resource configuration, which is done through processing units. Suppose you set up Google Cloud Spanner initially with a hundred processing units, and then you run out of resources since your database used too much CPU. In the aforementioned scenario, you can scale up or down and face no downtime in the production phase. The solution's features are important when running a company twenty-four hours, seven days a week.
Duy AnhMai - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers security and good performance
Price-wise, the tool is expensive, and I feel it is an area where improvements are needed. Oracle Database as a Service is not as popular as other tools because we use AWS and GCP. Oracle is okay in terms of performance for banking businesses and some big companies. As I use the tool in Heineken, I know Oracle is an okay security solution. We use and deploy some applications and features from Oracle that are better than what others offer. The data in the tool is actually stored in the production part, so it is always kept a secret. I don't think that AI has been integrated into the tool. The AI used by Oracle is not as strong as that used by AWS. I recommend the tool to others, especially banking, finance, and insurance companies where the security needs to be better. There is maintenance for the tool required, but I don't know which company does it for our organization. I rate the tool a ten out of ten.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its scalability. Scalability comes with two options, among which Google Cloud Spanner can scale horizontally, compared to other relational databases that scale vertically."
"We can scale the solution if we need to."
"It is a very scalable solution."
"The application deployment in the cloud is the best feature of the infrastructure."
"Google Cloud Spanner is stable."
"The solution is quite stable and renewable."
"The most valuable aspects of the solution are the general database system resilience and security."
"Oracle DBaaS performs well. It's similar to the MS Store."
"It is a good solution and has a large community."
"The solution is very stable. It's very powerful."
"Oracle Database as a Service is a scalable and robust solution."
"I like the tool’s database services. I like the system’s performance, replication, active data, etc. which are all good."
"I like the solution's performance and ease of development."
 

Cons

"The tool needs to improve horizontal scaling."
"The tool lacks to offer AI features."
"The cost can be a bit high."
"I want to improve the deployment of cameras and surveillance infrastructure."
"Google came up with something called Cloud Spanner Emulator, which fails to work like the real product if I want to develop some code and run a database locally on my machine."
"The direct scaling is a feature that has room for improvement. I would like to see virtual management machines that can scale storage well with zero downtime. The backup option and patching would then be much easier to do."
"The ROI has not been good."
"We'd like to see better support for non-structured data and in-memory load."
"It would be beneficial if Oracle could offer features similar to those provided by open-source platforms like Postgres, such as a multi-core-based platform and a shared node database. While Oracle offers these features, they come at a high cost for clientele in the South Asian market."
"The product is very expensive."
"They should add more integration to the solution."
"My favorite option – Multitenant – should be available for some pluggable databases in all editions, without any fee."
"The solution uses a large amount of CPU space, which could be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is expensive."
"Google Cloud Spanner is an expensive solution."
"It is expensive."
"Price-wise, I heard that Google Cloud Spanner is on the higher side."
"For on-premises, a perpetual license is a standard $17,500 plus 22% for one year of support."
"Oracle Database as a Service is always a bit costly, but it's an excellent service. My company used the on-premises version, and that was costly."
"The licensing is a nightmare. Tons of options which need to be licensed individually, and no real offering for VMware or other Hypervisors."
"It is a very expensive tool."
"What has been done is that an annual subscription model has been launched, which includes the payment of both the AML (Annual Maintenance Fee) and the subscription fee, paid on a yearly basis."
"The price of Oracle Database as a Service could be better."
"This solution is costly because it saves a lot of data."
"The solution's price is reasonable but depends upon the negotiation."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
19%
Computer Software Company
14%
Retailer
9%
Government
9%
Financial Services Firm
26%
Computer Software Company
15%
Retailer
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your primary use case for Google Cloud Spanner?
Google Cloud Spanner has all the features of a traditional relational database, including schemas, SQL queries, ACID transactions, and provides excellent integration and monitoring tools as well as...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Cloud Spanner?
Price-wise, I heard that Google Cloud Spanner is on the higher side. I am not sure if this is a rumor or if it's fake news, but I believe that having BigQuery and GCP together could be a little cos...
What do you like most about Oracle Database as a Service?
It has significantly enhanced our application development process by introducing substantial time savings and streamlining routine tasks.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Oracle Database as a Service?
Prices are high. Technical support from Oracle tends to be high in quality.
What needs improvement with Oracle Database as a Service?
It would be beneficial if Oracle could offer features similar to those provided by open-source platforms like Postgres, such as a multi-core-based platform and a shared node database. While Oracle ...
 

Also Known As

Google Spanner
Oracle DBaaS, Oracle Database Cloud
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Streak, Optiva, Mixpanel
Solution-Soft, DX Marketing, Suredell and Partners, Frontiers, SettleOurEstate.com, Demand Analysis Ltd, endlich IT & Projekt Service OHG
Find out what your peers are saying about Google Cloud Spanner vs. Oracle Database as a Service and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
847,772 professionals have used our research since 2012.