Despite some developers potentially being disheartened by new features being gated behind a paid tier, Google's cloud business, which includes the Developer Program, grew by 35% year-over-year to $11.35 billion in Q3 2024. This growth outpaced both Amazon and Microsoft's cloud divisions. Google has also hinted at the introduction of new tools and resources to the Developer Program in the coming months.
Key takeaways:
- Google has introduced a premium tier to its Google Developer Program, offering additional benefits such as one-on-one consultations with Google Cloud experts, access to e-learning programs, and annual Google Cloud credits for a $299 annual fee.
- The premium membership is unique in the market, as neither Amazon Web Services nor Azure offer a similar developer plan.
- In certain regions including the European Economic Region, the U.K., and Switzerland, the premium membership is restricted to business or professional use.
- Despite the introduction of a paid tier, Google's cloud business has seen significant growth, outpacing both Amazon and Microsoft's cloud divisions in the most recent fiscal quarter.