Why Healthcare Providers Are Choosing Google Cloud Over AWS in 2025
Introduction: A Shift in Healthcare Cloud Preferences
As healthcare organizations increasingly turn to the cloud to modernize operations, the decision around which platform to choose—Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or Amazon Web Services (AWS)—has become more pivotal than ever. With growing regulatory demands, evolving cyber threats, and rising costs, healthcare providers are seeking cloud solutions that offer not only technical excellence but also seamless HIPAA compliance, cost transparency, and support for innovation.
While both GCP and AWS offer robust infrastructures and HIPAA-eligible services, GCP has been gaining traction due to its deep commitment to healthcare, intuitive tools, and built-in AI capabilities. This article explores the differences between the two platforms and why GCP—when paired with a compliance partner like HIPAA Vault—is becoming an increasingly attractive choice for healthcare providers in 2025.
1. HIPAA Compliance & Certifications: GCP vs. AWS
A Strong Foundation for Regulatory Readiness
Healthcare organizations must meet stringent security and privacy standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Both GCP and AWS offer services eligible for processing protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA, and both provide Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to help customers meet compliance requirements.
However, GCP distinguishes itself through its extensive list of third-party compliance certifications that align closely with federal healthcare standards:
- FedRAMP High Authorization
- HITRUST CSF certification
- FISMA and NIST 800-171 compliance
- SOC 1, 2, and 3 Reports
These certifications are particularly relevant for organizations working with government data, such as Medicaid systems or public health registries. GCP’s infrastructure also meets grading standards from the Infinity Paradigm IDCA, further underscoring its commitment to secure operations.
Clearer Support for the Shared Responsibility Model
Both AWS and GCP follow a shared responsibility model, where the cloud provider secures the underlying infrastructure and the customer secures their own applications and data. However, GCP is often noted for offering clearer documentation and tools that simplify compliance for healthcare IT teams. This clarity can be valuable when navigating audits or configuring access controls to protect PHI.
2. Performance, Pricing & AI Integration
Flexible Pricing That Supports Healthcare Budgets
Cost predictability is a major consideration for healthcare organizations evaluating cloud platforms. Google Cloud is often seen as a strong fit due to its transparent pricing model and flexible resource options that align well with both short-term projects and long-term infrastructure needs.
Healthcare IT teams value the ability to scale resources efficiently without unexpected spikes in cost. Whether supporting electronic health records, telehealth platforms, or clinical research systems, GCP offers pricing structures that can be aligned with specific operational goals—making it easier to manage budgets and maximize return on investment.
Advanced Tools for Healthcare Innovation
GCP is widely recognized for its leadership in machine learning and data analytics. Services like BigQuery, Cloud Healthcare API, and Vertex AI make it easier to manage large datasets and build predictive healthcare models—capabilities that are increasingly important in population health, diagnostics, and personalized care.
For instance, a HIPAA Vault healthcare technology client needed to process video pipelines for robotic surgeries within a HIPAA-compliant framework. With GCP’s infrastructure and HIPAA Vault’s expertise in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and compliance, the client was able to scale securely and efficiently, supporting the advancement of AI-powered surgical solutions.
3. Support, Simplicity, and Innovation
A Streamlined Experience for IT Teams
While AWS provides a vast number of services, many users report a steep learning curve. In contrast, GCP is often praised for its intuitive interface, integrated dashboards, and smoother onboarding for developers and IT administrators alike. These features can reduce friction for healthcare teams that need to move quickly while ensuring compliance.
A Clear Focus on Healthcare
Google Cloud has made healthcare a priority, investing in tools that support secure, standards-based data exchange. This includes:
- Cloud Healthcare API with support for FHIR, HL7v2, and DICOM
- Seamless integration with Google Workspace, enabling secure collaboration
- Partnerships with major healthcare organizations to co-develop AI-powered solutions
These targeted investments reflect GCP’s growing alignment with healthcare needs and challenges—something that resonates with providers looking for technology that meets them where they are.
4. Why HIPAA Vault + GCP is a Winning Combination
Choosing the right cloud platform is just the beginning. To maximize security and maintain compliance, healthcare providers need a trusted implementation partner. That’s where HIPAA Vault delivers distinct value.
Expertise in Managed Compliance
Founded in 1997, HIPAA Vault brings nearly three decades of experience delivering HIPAA-compliant cloud hosting. As a certified Google Technology Partner, HIPAA Vault specializes in:
- Fully managed GCP environments tailored for healthcare workloads
- 24/7/365 support with less than 15-minute response times
- Advanced security monitoring, penetration testing, and compliance documentation
- Scalable Kubernetes and containerized hosting for modern applications
HIPAA Vault’s successful implementations include clients such as Deloitte, Akos MD, and the Wyoming Eligibility System (WES), where its engineering team delivered secure, high-performance infrastructure for sensitive government-managed healthcare data.
Conclusion: GCP’s Growing Role in Healthcare Hosting
The cloud is no longer optional in healthcare—it’s essential. As providers modernize their IT systems, the choice of cloud platform will shape not only cost and performance but also the ability to stay compliant and drive innovation.
In 2025, Google Cloud vs AWS for healthcare is less about brand loyalty and more about matching capabilities to clinical and compliance needs. With GCP’s strong security posture, powerful AI tools, flexible pricing, and healthcare-specific services, it’s clear why more organizations are making the switch.
Partnering with HIPAA Vault further strengthens that decision, offering peace of mind with fully managed, HIPAA-compliant environments and expert support every step of the way.
Looking for a cloud solution that’s built for HIPAA compliance, scalability, and security? Schedule a discovery call with a HIPAA Vault expert to explore how we can design a Google Cloud environment tailored to your healthcare organization’s needs.
