Answer Details

For SaaS startups, the top cloud providers are generally: AWS (Amazon Web Services) Most comprehensive service ecosystem with 200+ services Best for startups needing flexibility and scalability Strong startup programs (AWS Activate) offering credits and support Widest global infrastructure Steeper learning curve but most mature platform Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Excellent for data analytics and machine learning workloads Competitive pricing and sustained use discounts Strong Kubernetes support (invented by Google) Google Workspace integration Good startup program with credits Microsoft Azure Ideal if you're in the Microsoft ecosystem Strong enterprise features and hybrid cloud capabilities Excellent for .NET applications Good for B2B SaaS targeting enterprise customers Startup programs available through Microsoft for Startups Digital Ocean Simpler, more developer-friendly interface Predictable pricing that's often lower for basic needs Great for MVPs and early-stage startups Less overwhelming than the "big three" Limited advanced services compared to AWS/GCP/Azure Vercel/Netlify/Railway Specialized platforms for specific use cases (frontend, full-stack apps) Extremely fast deployment and developer experience Higher costs at scale but great for getting started quickly Choice factors: Technical complexity you need - AWS/Azure for enterprise features, DO/Vercel for simplicity Your team's expertise - stick with what you know Startup credits - all major providers offer these Specific workload requirements - AI/ML might favor GCP, enterprise B2B might favor Azure Most SaaS startups start with AWS or GCP due to their scalability and startup programs, though many successfully build on any of these platforms.