Google Cloud Workflows
Orchestrate and automate Google Cloud and HTTP-based API services with serverless workflows.
Overview
Google Cloud Workflows allows you to orchestrate and automate complex processes by connecting a series of services together. You can chain calls to Google Cloud services like Cloud Functions and Cloud Run, as well as any external, HTTP-based API. Workflows are defined in a simple YAML syntax and the service manages state, retries, and error handling, allowing you to build reliable, long-running automations.
✨ Key Features
- Serverless orchestration
- YAML-based workflow definition
- Connectors for Google Cloud services and external APIs
- State management, error handling, and retries
- Pay-per-use pricing
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Serverless and fully managed
- Simple, declarative YAML syntax
- Native integration with the Google Cloud ecosystem
- Ability to orchestrate any HTTP-based service
Unique Value: Reliably orchestrate services and automate processes without managing any infrastructure.
🎯 Use Cases (4)
✅ Best For
- Creating a workflow that triggers a Cloud Function, waits for its completion, then calls an external API based on the result.
- Orchestrating a multi-step data processing pipeline involving Cloud Storage, BigQuery, and AI Platform.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- CI/CD pipelines (better suited for Cloud Build)
- Infrastructure provisioning (better suited for Terraform or Deployment Manager)
🏆 Alternatives
Compared to AWS Step Functions, Workflows offers a simpler YAML-based syntax. Unlike tools like Zapier, it is designed for developers and can orchestrate more complex, long-running, and high-throughput processes with tighter integration into the cloud ecosystem.
💻 Platforms
🔌 Integrations
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
- ✓ Live Chat
- ✓ Phone Support
- ✓ Dedicated Support (Google Cloud Support Plans tier)
🔒 Compliance & Security
💰 Pricing
Free tier: 5,000 internal steps per month.
🔄 Similar Tools in GCP Automation
Google Cloud Deployment Manager
An infrastructure deployment service that automates the creation and management of Google Cloud reso...
Google Cloud Build
A fully-managed CI/CD platform that lets you build, test, and deploy software quickly, at scale....
HashiCorp Terraform
An open-source infrastructure as code tool for building, changing, and versioning infrastructure saf...
Ansible
An open-source automation tool for configuration management, application deployment, and task automa...
Pulumi
An open-source infrastructure as code platform that allows you to use familiar programming languages...
Crossplane
An open-source Kubernetes add-on that extends your cluster to manage and compose infrastructure from...