In June, Google announced the Google Developer Program. This is a free program that provides developers with access to resources designed to help them build applications using Google services. With “millions” of developers currently registered (according to Google), the company is introducing a second paid tier to commercialize the program.
On Monday, Google launched Google Developer Program Premium Membership. This is a $299 annual upgrade from the standard Google Developer Program. This adds several benefits, including one-on-one consultations with Google Cloud experts and access to Google Cloud Skills Boost e-learning programs, Google's on-demand training program.
In addition to consultations and online courses, premium membership in the Google Developer Program includes $500 in annual Google Cloud credits, certification vouchers, and “bonus” Google Cloud credits for developers who pass an annual Google Cloud certification. I am. This is in addition to all the standard free Google Developer Program resources, including AI-powered documentation and coding tools, first introductions to new products, and workspaces on Google's IDX app development platform.
This new service stands out because neither of Google's major cloud rivals, Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Azure, have similar separate development plans. Microsoft offers paid alternatives to its free Microsoft 365 Developer Program (roughly comparable to the company's Google Developer Program), but these are primarily aimed at business users. AWS offers a premium support program, but it focuses on architectural guidance and technical assistance.
Oddly enough, the fine print says that for customers in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, premium membership in the Google Developer Program is “restricted to business or professional use.” This suggests that personal use is not allowed in those countries. We reached out to Google for clarification.
A new hub for Google Developer Program premium membership members. Image credit: Google
With all the benefits, a premium membership in the Google Developer Program will quickly pay for itself. But given that Google hasn't indicated any plans to charge for future enhancements to the original program, some developers are wondering if new features will be gated behind a paid tier. I have to imagine they would be disappointed to see that.
“In the coming months, the Google Developer Program will roll out new tools and resources to help you along your development journey, including additional training resources and more ways to connect with the community,” Google said in a June blog post. ” he said. “To take advantage of these benefits, simply sign up for the Google Developer Program.”
Google was touting premium membership in the Google Developer Program as a revamp of its now-defunct Cloud Innovators Plus program, which offered comparable benefits for the same $299 per year. Notably, Cloud Innovators Plus did not come bundled with Google Cloud Skills Boost. Google estimates that this alone is worth $299 per year.
“[T]His new offering is the next evolution in our efforts to streamline the developer experience,” Google wrote in a post on Monday. ”
Developers may complain, but they seem to be voting for Google with their wallets. In the company's most recent fiscal quarter (Q3 2024), Google's cloud business, which includes infrastructure and software subscriptions, grew 35% year over year to $11.35 billion. Its growth has outpaced Amazon and Microsoft's cloud divisions, both of which have significantly larger market shares.