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If you’re a SaaS startup (i.e., you’re building software that will be delivered over the internet and you plan to scale), choosing the right cloud-provider matters a lot. I’ll call it as I see it: you’ll want to pick a provider that gives you freedom + growth potential, but doesn’t lock you into crazy costs or complexity too soon. Here are the top options with pros/cons—and things you should watch out for. ✅ Top Cloud Providers for SaaS Startups 1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) 6 Why it’s a strong default: Massive range of services (compute, storage, databases, analytics, AI/ML, serverless) so as your SaaS grows you won’t be running out of capability. Startup-friendly credit programs (so you might get a runway). One Reddit user: “You can go with gcp or aws. They both provide startup credits that can last for more than a year if you used them properly.” Global reach (important if you have customers in Europe, Asia, etc.) What to watch: Costs can escalate quickly if you don’t keep an eye on usage/architecture. Complexity: too many options means more decisions, more risk of mis-architecture. Vendor‐lock risk: once you build on specific AWS services (e.g., Lambda + DynamoDB) migrating away becomes harder. 2. Microsoft Azure 6 Why it might make sense: Particularly strong if your stack has Microsoft ties (Windows Server, .NET, Active Directory, etc.). Good hybrid/enterprise story (if part of your business or your clients’ business deals with on-prem + cloud). Competitive features and growing startup‐friendly offerings. What to watch: The service catalogue and ecosystem are vast but slightly more complex around “what’s included vs not”. If you’re purely open-source/agnostic stack, some Azure niceties may not add value. 3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) 6 Why it could be the smart choice (especially for SaaS + data/ML): Strong in data analytics, ML, and containerisation (which many SaaS startups lean into). Competitive pricing in some scenarios; can sometimes be more cost-effective for certain workloads than the big two. What to watch: Some services may lag in global reach compared to AWS (depending on region). The ecosystem of add-ons, community, third-party integrations may be slightly less mature (though catching up fast). 4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) & Others 6 Why they’re worth a glance: OCI is mentioned in broader comparisons: cost-performance wise it may have some advantages for certain workloads. If your SaaS is targeting niche enterprise clients who already use Oracle stack, then it could make sense. What to watch: Smaller ecosystem, fewer “startup-tailored” resources compared to the big three. Finding engineers familiar with the stack may be harder (depending on your region).