kms.network

← All comparisons

Akeyless vs Google Cloud KMS

How Akeyless and Google Cloud KMS differ on scope, key custody, deployment and cost.

AkeylessGoogle Cloud KMS
TypeSaaS vaultCloud KMS
ScopeSecrets, keys, PKI, PAMEncryption keys
DeploymentSaaS + hybrid gatewaySaaS (GCP)
Key custodyDistributed Fragments Cryptography — no single complete key existsHSM tier FIPS 140-2 Level 3; External Key Manager for off-cloud keys
How it worksKey material is split into fragments held in separate places and never assembled, so operations happen without a whole key existing anywhere — including on Akeyless infrastructure. Delivered as SaaS with an optional on-premise gateway, which removes the cluster you would otherwise run.Key rings and key versions with explicit rotation, offered in software, HSM and external tiers. External Key Manager is the differentiator: the key stays in your own system and Google calls out to it, so the cloud can be denied access by design rather than by policy.
Pricing*Free tier; enterprise by quoteMetered per key version + operations
Free tierYesNo
Licence——
Best forVault capability without running VaultGCP workloads and hold-your-own-key rules

Akeyless

  • No cluster to operate or upgrade
  • Fragment architecture is a real answer to vendor trust
  • Usable free tier, not just a trial
  • Proprietary — you cannot inspect the core
  • Smaller community than Vault

Google Cloud KMS

  • Clear key ring and version model
  • External Key Manager is a genuine sovereignty answer
  • Consistent API across software and HSM tiers
  • No free tier
  • External keys add latency and a hard dependency

Bottom line

Choose Akeyless for vault capability without running vault. Choose Google Cloud KMS for gcp workloads and hold-your-own-key rules.

* Published list pricing (vendor pricing pages, August 2026).