- Home
- Database Software
- Google Cloud Spanner
Google Cloud Spanner
What it is
Google Cloud Spanner is a globally distributed database combining relational, graph, key-value, and search capabilities. It provides strong transactional consistency, described as Strong-ACID with TrueTime ordering, plus horizontal read and write scaling, automatic sharding, and geo-partitioning. Spanner includes Spanner Graph, vector search, and built-in full-text search. Its columnar engine supports ad hoc analytics on live data, while BigQuery integration enables federated queries. Spanner Omni can run on-premises, across clouds, or on a laptop. Client libraries cover C++, C#, Go, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python, and Ruby. Google documents connections with services including Cloud Run, Dataflow, Cloud Storage, Compute Engine, GKE, Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, and Looker. Availability configurations include single-region, dual-region, and multi-region options. A 90-day trial instance is free but limited to 10 GB, one instance per project lifecycle, five databases, regional configurations, no SLA, and no production use.
For and against
For
- Strong transactional consistency
- Automatic sharding and geo-partitioning
- Graph, vector, and full-text search
- BigQuery federated query integration
- 90-day free trial instance
Against
- No free plan
- Trial limited to 10 GB
- Trial has no SLA
- Trial is not intended for production
The verdict
Spanner brings multiple data models, strong transactions, scaling, and analytics into one distributed database. The trial offers a limited evaluation path, while production use is paid and tiered.
Who it suits
Spanner suits application teams needing distributed relational data with graph, search, analytics, and multi-region options. It also supports organizations requiring downloadable deployment through Spanner Omni.
Plans and prices
Standard
Regional configuration · Pay-as-you-use compute pricing
Read 20 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Enterprise
Regional configuration · Additional multi-model and advanced capabilities
Read 20 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Enterprise Plus
Regional, dual-region, and multi-region configurations · Highest availability, performance, compliance, and governance tier
Read 20 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Spanner free trial instance
10 GB storage · One instance per project lifecycle · Maximum five databases · No SLA
Read 29 Sep 2026 · docs.cloud.google.com
Standard edition compute
Regional (single-region) configurations
Read 29 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Enterprise edition compute
Additional multi-model and advanced search capabilities
Read 29 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
Enterprise Plus edition compute
Highest levels of availability, performance, compliance, and governance
Read 29 Sep 2026 · cloud.google.com
On the record
- Analytics
- Its columnar engine supports ad hoc analytics on live data, and it integrates with BigQuery for federated queries.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Availability
- Google says Spanner delivers up to 99.999% availability and offers single-region, dual-region, and multi-region configurations.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Compliance
- Google lists ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA among Spanner’s certifications and compliance credentials.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Database
- Spanner is a globally distributed database that unifies relational, graph, key-value, and search capabilities.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- Spanner Omni is a downloadable version that can run on-premises, across clouds, or on a laptop.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- Google documents integrations with Cloud Run, Dataflow, Cloud Storage, Compute Engine, GKE, Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, and Looker.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Programming languages
- Client libraries are available for C++, C#, Go, Java, Node.js, PHP, Python, and Ruby.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Scaling
- Spanner provides horizontal read and write scalability, automatic database sharding, and geo-partitioning.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Search and graph
- Spanner includes Spanner Graph, vector search, and built-in full-text search.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Security
- Spanner provides encryption in transit, identity and access controls, and security controls under a shared responsibility model.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Support
- Google lists support packages, Stack Overflow, online help communities, and bug or feature requests as support options for Spanner instances.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Transactions
- Spanner provides strong transactional consistency and describes its transactions as Strong-ACID with TrueTime ordering.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
- Trial limits
- Free trial instances support up to 10 GB of data, do not include an SLA, and are not intended for production use.docs.cloud.google.com · read 29 Sep 2026
