Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Google Cloud Spanner vs MongoDB Atlas comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 2, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Google Cloud Spanner
Ranking in Database as a Service (DBaaS)
9th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
5
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
MongoDB Atlas
Ranking in Database as a Service (DBaaS)
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
Managed NoSQL Databases (5th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Database as a Service (DBaaS) category, the mindshare of Google Cloud Spanner is 5.1%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MongoDB Atlas is 14.5%, down from 16.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Database as a Service (DBaaS)
 

Featured Reviews

Ethan Lo - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable and scalable relational database that ensures a return on investment for its users
The most valuable feature of the solution is its scalability. Scalability comes with two options, among which Google Cloud Spanner can scale horizontally, compared to other relational databases that scale vertically. You can change Google Cloud Spanner's resource configuration, which is done through processing units. Suppose you set up Google Cloud Spanner initially with a hundred processing units, and then you run out of resources since your database used too much CPU. In the aforementioned scenario, you can scale up or down and face no downtime in the production phase. The solution's features are important when running a company twenty-four hours, seven days a week.
Laksiri Bala - PeerSpot reviewer
Room for improvement in data handling leads to enhanced cost-effective data management performance
It would be beneficial if MongoDB Atlas could better support OLTP aspects and data frames, as well as enhance its capabilities for data pipelines and visualization dashboards. Furthermore, supporting the medallion architecture could be a valuable addition, and incorporating improved spatial and vector handling for geographical data could make it more competitive. Enhancing vector processing for AI capabilities would also be critical.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"It is a very scalable solution."
"The application deployment in the cloud is the best feature of the infrastructure."
"We can scale the solution if we need to."
"Google Cloud Spanner is stable."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is its scalability. Scalability comes with two options, among which Google Cloud Spanner can scale horizontally, compared to other relational databases that scale vertically."
"It can store data as a flat file, similar to a file system."
"The product provides quick transaction service, high availability, and efficient scalability features."
"The solution is easy to use, the console is user-friendly, and overall a well-designed solution. It takes a complex system and makes it easy to understand. Additionally, the solution is always advancing and they provide a roadmap into what is coming in the future."
"The most useful feature is the management of the backup."
"The initial setup of MongoDB Atlas is straightforward...It is a scalable solution."
"Scalability is its most valuable feature, as it is pretty simple."
"The most valuable feature of MongoDB Atlas is it's seamless when working with a lot of different systems. Additionally, it is able to adjust the data based on the data being received."
"I am impressed with the tool's integrations."
 

Cons

"Google came up with something called Cloud Spanner Emulator, which fails to work like the real product if I want to develop some code and run a database locally on my machine."
"The tool needs to improve horizontal scaling."
"The tool lacks to offer AI features."
"I want to improve the deployment of cameras and surveillance infrastructure."
"The cost can be a bit high."
"The product does not have ORM."
"That is the only drawback that I find with MongoDB: creating the trigger."
"I would like to have better performance for user experience with the solution."
"When I edit a document from a document, a lot of clicking is involved, like changing data type manually from a drop-down. It would be super nice if I could just edit the document in a JSON format. The JSON-based document editor should have a multi-language feature. Also, it would be great if there was a connect option from Google Looker Studio."
"The import and export process needs improvement, i.e., getting in and out. Moving data from other databases into MongoDB, along with indexing, was challenging."
"Based on its own habitat, it's not ACID compliant. If it had an ACID compliant option, it would be more useful for database administration."
"If it could be cheaper, that would make us happy."
"The tool's implementation should be made easier."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Google Cloud Spanner is an expensive solution."
"It is expensive."
"The solution is expensive."
"Price-wise, I heard that Google Cloud Spanner is on the higher side."
"I have seen the cost, and it was pretty cheap."
"The pricing is acceptable for enterprise tier."
"We pay for the license on a monthly basis. It's not cheap or expensive. For smaller companies, it's definitely expensive."
"The price of MongoDB Atlas is highly expensive to use and maintain. They are taking advantage of the users with such a high price."
"The pricing and licensing is great."
"I am using the free version of the solution."
"The solution is fairly priced. I rate the pricing a seven out of ten."
"MongoDB Atlas is not expensive, and since it's a cloud-based solution, you pay by usage."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Database as a Service (DBaaS) solutions are best for your needs.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
22%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Retailer
8%
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your primary use case for Google Cloud Spanner?
Google Cloud Spanner has all the features of a traditional relational database, including schemas, SQL queries, ACID transactions, and provides excellent integration and monitoring tools as well as...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Google Cloud Spanner?
Price-wise, I heard that Google Cloud Spanner is on the higher side. I am not sure if this is a rumor or if it's fake news, but I believe that having BigQuery and GCP together could be a little cos...
What do you like most about MongoDB Atlas?
There are many valuable features, but scalability stands out. It can scale across zones. You can define multiple nodes. They have also partnered with AWS, offering great service with multiple featu...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MongoDB Atlas?
The price of MongoDB Atlas is reasonable, which is why many organizations, including mine, are opting for it.
What needs improvement with MongoDB Atlas?
There is nothing about MongoDB Atlas I would like to improve or any weak points at this time. I have not thought through what other features I would like to see included in future updates. MongoDB ...
 

Also Known As

Google Spanner
Atlas, MongoDB Atlas (pay-as-you-go)
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Streak, Optiva, Mixpanel
Wells Fargo, Forbes, Ulta Beauty, Bosch, Sanoma, Current (a Digital Bank), ASAP Log, SBB, Zebra Technologies, Radial, Kovai, Eni, Accuhit, Cognigy, and Payload.
Find out what your peers are saying about Google Cloud Spanner vs. MongoDB Atlas and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.