When searching for "Google Cloud migration" or exploring cloud migration options, you're likely facing one of two distinct scenarios:

(1) You want to migrate TO Google Cloud from on-prem or another cloud

or

(2) You want to migrate FROM Google Cloud because it's too expensive or complex

Both paths are increasingly common in 2025, and platforms like Northflank can dramatically simplify either journey. This guide covers both Google Cloud migration strategies.

But first…

What is Google Cloud migration?

Google Cloud migration is the process of moving applications, data, and infrastructure either TO Google Cloud Platform (GCP) or FROM GCP to another platform or on-prem.

Google Cloud migration: You're moving from your own servers or another cloud (like AWS) to GCP. Usually because you want better data analytics, AI/ML capabilities, or GCP's sustained use discounts.

Migrating away from GCP: You're moving away from GCP to another cloud or back to your own servers. Usually because GCP got too expensive at scale or you need different features.

The two Google Cloud migration paths

Why move to GCP?

Google Cloud offers compelling advantages. They've got world-class data analytics with BigQuery, AI/ML services that leverage Google's research, and automatic sustained use discounts that can save you 30% without any commitment. The promise is attractive: leverage Google's innovation, get better pricing for predictable workloads.

Yet, to actually use GCP effectively, you need to master:

• GKE (Google Kubernetes Engine): Yes, it's managed Kubernetes, but you still need to configure node pools, set up cluster autoscaling, manage workload identity, and handle VPC-native networking
• Networking complexity: VPCs, subnets, firewall rules, Cloud NAT, load balancers
• IAM confusion: Service accounts, roles, bindings, conditions
• Cost surprises: Egress charges, persistent disk costs, BigQuery slot pricing, GCP billing requires careful monitoring

Most teams spend months just getting a production-ready setup. And that's before you deploy a single application.

This is where Northflank comes in. Instead of it being just another GCP abstraction, it's a complete Internal Developer Platform (IDP) that enterprises typically spend years building. Instead of learning GCP, you just use it.

How it works:

1. Connect your GCP account to Northflank (5 minutes)
2. Northflank provisions everything: GKE clusters, load balancers, networking, security 2a. Or import your existing GKE clusters. Northflank works with what you already have
3. You deploy your code

What you get:

• Production-ready GKE without touching kubectl
• Automatic SSL certificates and load balancing
• Built-in CI/CD from your Git repos
• Database provisioning with one click (Cloud SQL, but simplified)
• Cost controls that actually work
• Full GCP ecosystem integration (Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, container registries, CDNs)
• Enterprise-grade platform capabilities teams typically spend years building
• Complete control over data residency and deployment regions

GCP can be expensive at scale, especially for compute-heavy workloads:

• Egress costs add up fast (though Google now offers free data transfer when leaving)
• You're paying for resources 24/7 even with sustained use discounts
• Managed services like Cloud SQL can be pricey compared to self-managed
• Complex pricing for services like BigQuery can surprise you

Moving off GCP is daunting because:

1. Your team only knows GCP tools and APIs
2. You've built around GCP-specific services like BigQuery or Firestore
3. Other clouds have different concepts and services
4. Going on-prem means managing infrastructure again

This is where most companies get stuck. They know GCP is getting expensive but can't stomach the migration complexity.

Northflank solves this by being cloud-agnostic from day one. Here's how migration works:

To another cloud (AWS/Azure):

1. Spin up Northflank on AWS/Azure (uses EKS/AKS under the hood)
2. Deploy your apps using the exact same Northflank workflows
3. Migrate data during maintenance window
4. Switch DNS
5. Turn off GCP

To on-premises:

1. Get bare metal servers (or VMs)
2. Install k3s or Rancher
3. Connect to Northflank
4. Deploy your apps (same process as GCP)
5. Cancel GCP

Northflank is not yet another PaaS. It's specifically designed for teams that need cloud flexibility:

• Multi-cloud native: Run on GCP, AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, Civo, or bare metal
• No vendor lock-in: Built on Kubernetes and Docker standards
• BYOC (Bring Your Own Cloud): Your infrastructure, your data, Northflank's simplicity
• Enterprise-ready: Build your Internal Developer Platform (IDP) or Application Delivery Platform (ADP) without years of engineering
• Real company scale: Teams run 10,000+ containers in production
• GCP depth: Supports all GCP instance types across all regions

• Automatic GKE cluster setup and management
• Built-in GCP service integrations (Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, etc.)
• GCP cost optimization with sustained use discount awareness
• No GCP expertise required

Check out these docs on how to integrate your Google Cloud account to create and manage clusters using Northflank.

• Cloud-agnostic deployments
• Zero code changes when switching clouds
• Gradual migration support (hybrid cloud)
• Maintain GCP-like developer experience anywhere

Under the hood, Northflank:

• Manages Kubernetes so you don't have to
• Handles ingress, TLS, load balancing automatically
• Provides GitOps workflows without the YAML complexity
• Abstracts cloud differences into a unified API

You write Dockerfiles, push code, and deploy. Whether that runs on GKE, EKS, or your own metal is just a config option.

Getting started

1. Sign up for Northflank
2. Connect your GCP account
   1. Have existing GKE clusters? Import them directly, no need to start from scratch
3. Deploy a test app
4. Migrate your easiest service first
5. Move the rest over weeks, not months

1. Pick your target (AWS? Azure? On-prem?)
2. Set up Northflank on the new infrastructure
3. Deploy a non-critical service as a test
4. Plan your data migration strategy (remember: Google offers free egress when leaving)
5. Move services gradually with zero downtime

Conclusion

Your Google Cloud migration doesn't have to be a multi-year project. Whether you're adopting GCP or escaping it due to costs, the key is abstracting away the complexity while keeping the power.

Northflank does exactly that. Excellent developer experience, any infrastructure. Your choice.

Ready to migrate? Get started here or talk to an engineer.