Object Storage Pricing Compared for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud

In today’s data-driven world, choosing the right cloud object storage isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one. With global data generation expected to exceed 180 zettabytes by 2025, storing, managing, and accessing that data affordably is critical for every business—from startups to enterprise giants.

What’s driving this demand? AI workloads, high-definition video content, real-time analytics, compliance backups, and remote work ecosystems. And at the heart of it all lies object storage, the go-to solution for unstructured data like documents, images, logs, and media files.

But here’s the catch: not all cloud providers charge the same. While AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud dominate the market, their object storage pricing structures can differ widely depending on region, access tier, data retrieval, and APIs used.

This blog will compare pricing across these giants, explain what factors affect object storage cost, and briefly spotlight how emerging alternatives like Cyfuture Cloud are bringing cost-efficiency and simplicity back into the equation—without compromising performance.

What is Object Storage and Why It Matters

Before we dive into numbers, let’s quickly set the context.

Object storage is a way to manage massive amounts of unstructured data. Unlike file storage (organized in folders) or block storage (used by virtual machines and databases), object storage:

Stores data as objects with metadata

Is highly scalable (up to petabytes)

Provides redundancy and durability

Is ideal for backups, media files, logs, and AI model training datasets

Top use cases:

Hosting images and videos on a website or app

Data archiving and compliance

Machine learning data lakes

Application logs and IoT sensor data

Now, let’s get into what you really came for—pricing.

How Object Storage Pricing Works: What You’re Really Paying For

All three major cloud providers—AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud—price object storage based on a few common components:

Storage Cost (per GB per month)
This is the base cost. The longer you store more data, the more you pay.

Data Retrieval or Egress Cost
Downloading data (outside of the cloud provider’s network) often incurs a separate charge.

API Request Charges
Every time your app makes a PUT, GET, POST, or LIST call to access your storage, it’s tracked and billed.

Redundancy and Tiering
Most providers offer different tiers like:

Standard (hot): for frequently accessed data

Cool/nearline: for infrequent access

Archive/coldline: long-term storage (lowest cost, highest retrieval time)

Region
Data stored in Asia (e.g., Mumbai or Singapore) often costs less than US or EU due to infrastructure cost differences.

Pricing Comparison: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud

Let’s break down pricing for 1TB (1,024 GB) of standard storage per month as of mid-2025, using publicly available documentation from each provider.

1. AWS S3 Pricing

Standard Storage: $0.023/GB → $23.55/month for 1TB

PUT, POST, LIST Requests: $0.005 per 1,000 requests

GET Requests: $0.0004 per 1,000 requests

Data Egress: $0.09/GB after 1GB free

AWS also offers S3 Intelligent-Tiering, Glacier (for cold storage), and Glacier Deep Archive at lower storage costs but higher retrieval times.

2. Microsoft Azure Blob Storage Pricing

Hot Tier: $0.0184/GB → $18.82/month for 1TB

Cool Tier: $0.01/GB

Archive Tier: $0.002/GB

Read Operations: $0.004 per 10,000 (hot)

Write Operations: $0.05 per 10,000 (hot)

Data Egress: $0.087/GB

Azure has slightly lower storage rates than AWS but higher read/write operation costs depending on the region.

3. Google Cloud Storage Pricing

Standard Storage: $0.020/GB → $20.48/month for 1TB

Nearline: $0.010/GB

Coldline: $0.007/GB

Archive: $0.0012/GB

Class A Requests: $0.005 per 1,000

Class B Requests: $0.0004 per 1,000

Data Egress: $0.12/GB after 1GB free

Google Cloud offers very aggressive pricing in archival tiers but charges more for egress and operations in certain geographies.

Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

While comparing base rates is helpful, businesses often get blindsided by hidden charges:

Egress Fees: Moving data between providers or even across regions can cost more than the storage itself.

API Usage: Applications that frequently read/write to cloud storage can rack up significant costs.

Redundancy Settings: Storing data in multiple zones (multi-region) costs more but is crucial for high availability.

Data Retrieval Delays: Lower-cost archive tiers can take hours to days to retrieve files.

Always read the pricing fine print—and simulate usage scenarios.

What About Cyfuture Cloud? A Cost-Efficient Alternative

If you’re looking for an India-first cloud hosting provider with transparent pricing and enterprise-grade infrastructure, Cyfuture Cloud offers an appealing option.

Here’s how Cyfuture Cloud compares:

Flat-Rate Pricing

Cyfuture Cloud offers simplified, flat monthly rates without convoluted tiering models or hidden API charges. This makes it easier for budgeting and forecasting.

Region-Based Advantage

With data centers in India and APAC regions, Cyfuture keeps latency low and prices affordable—ideal for startups and businesses targeting South Asian markets.

Built for Developers & Enterprises

Support for S3-compatible APIs, CLI tools, and high durability SLAs make it perfect for both legacy systems and modern applications.

Integrated Support with Hosting Services

Need object storage for a CMS, backup, or container logs? Cyfuture's platform integrates directly with server and hosting environments, saving you the effort of managing separate services.

Pricing Snapshot (Cyfuture Cloud, Mid-2025)

Actual prices may vary based on contract terms and bulk usage discounts.

Which Provider Should You Choose?

It depends on what matters most to your business.

Conclusion: Make Pricing Work for You, Not Against You

Choosing the right object storage provider in 2025 goes beyond comparing cents per gigabyte. It’s about understanding your data access patterns, growth forecasts, and cost transparency needs.

While AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer scale and flexibility, they can come with layered complexity and hidden charges. For businesses prioritizing affordability, performance, and clarity—especially in the Indian subcontinent—Cyfuture Cloud stands as a solid alternative.

So before you migrate or sign up, do a real-world simulation of your storage usage. Compare not just base pricing, but total cost of operations over a quarter or a year. That’s how you’ll unlock real cloud value—and not get caught in the data cost spiral.