In June, Google introduced the Google Developer Program, a free program to provide devs entry to assets designed to assist them construct functions utilizing Google companies. Now that “millions” of devs have signed up (in line with Google), the corporate is introducing a second, paid tier to commercialize this system.
On Monday, Google launched the Google Developer Program premium membership, a $299-per-year improve from the usual Google Developer Program. It provides a number of advantages, together with one-on-one consultations with Google Cloud consultants and entry to e-learning packages in Google’s on-demand coaching program, Google Cloud Expertise Enhance.
Past consultations and on-line programs, the Google Developer Program premium membership contains $500 in annual Google Cloud credit, a certification voucher, and “bonus” Google Cloud credit for devs who move an annual Google Cloud certification. That’s along with all of the assets in the usual, free Google Developer Program, together with AI-powered documentation and coding instruments, first dibs on new merchandise, and workspaces in Google’s IDX app improvement platform.
The brand new providing stands out as a result of neither of Google’s main cloud rivals, Amazon Internet Companies (AWS) or Azure, have a person dev plan fairly prefer it. Microsoft presents paid options to its free Microsoft 365 Developer Program, the corporate’s tough equal to the Google Developer Program, however they’re geared primarily towards enterprise customers. AWS offers premium assist packages, however they’re extra centered on architectural steerage and technical help.
Curiously, for patrons within the European Financial Area, the U.Ok., and Switzerland, the Google Developer Program premium membership is “restricted to business or professional use,” in line with the wonderful print. That implies that it’s not allowed for private use in these nations; we’ve reached out to Google for clarification.
Assuming one takes benefit of all the advantages, the Google Developer Program premium membership might pay for itself slightly rapidly. However I’ve to think about that some devs will probably be disheartened to see new options gated behind a paid tier, on condition that Google gave no indication it deliberate to cost for future enhancements to the unique program.
“In the coming months, the Google Developer Program will unlock new tools and resources to help you on your development journey such as additional training resources and more ways to connect with the community,” Google wrote in a weblog publish in June. “To access these benefits, you’ll just need to sign up to the Google Developer Program.”
Google’s pitching the Google Developer Program premium membership as a revamping of its now-defunct Cloud Innovators Plus program, which supplied comparable advantages on the identical $299-per-year value. Notably, Cloud Innovators Plus didn’t bundle in Google Cloud Expertise Enhance, which Google estimates is a $299-per-year worth by itself.
“[T]his new offering is the next evolution of our commitment to streamlining the developer experience,” Google wrote in a publish on Monday, “and presents the continued investment in the Google Developer Program as the hub of benefits and resources across Google’s many developer products and services.”
Devs could grumble — however they’re additionally voting for Google with their wallets, it appears. Within the firm’s most up-to-date fiscal quarter (Q3 2024), Google’s cloud enterprise, which incorporates infrastructure in addition to software program subscriptions, grew 35% year-over-year to $11.35 billion. Its progress outpaced Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud divisions, each of that are considerably bigger by market share.
