CLOUD
Google Cloud committed use discounts explained
How Google Cloud CUDs work, resource-based vs spend-based commitments, sustained use discounts and how to avoid over-committing.
By VISIBI Cloud team·Reviewed by Saeed Ak, Co-founder & CTO·Updated 29 September 2026·7 min read
QUICK ANSWER
How Google Cloud CUDs work, resource-based vs spend-based commitments, sustained use discounts and how to avoid over-committing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
✓CUDs trade a 1- or 3-year commitment for lower prices.
✓Spend-based CUDs are flexible; resource-based CUDs give deeper discounts.
✓Commit to your baseline, not your peak.
Types of discounts
- Sustained use discounts: automatic for some VMs running most of the month
- Resource-based CUDs: commit to vCPU and memory in a region
- Spend-based (flexible) CUDs: commit to hourly spend on eligible services
- Spot VMs: deep discounts for interruptible workloads
How to size commitments
Analyse at least 30–90 days of usage, commit to the steady baseline and cover peaks with on-demand or Spot. Review quarterly as workloads change.
Other savings
Rightsize with Recommender, use custom machine types, move data to Nearline/Coldline/Archive storage and reduce egress.
Common mistakes to avoid
✕Buying commitments before rightsizing
✕No tagging, so nobody knows who owns the spend
✕Click-ops changes that can’t be reproduced or audited
✕Migrating without a rollback plan
HOW VISIBI CAN HELP
How we help with cloud
01AssessCertified architects review cost, security and reliability.
02PlanA prioritised roadmap with savings and risks quantified.
03ImplementChanges delivered as Terraform with zero-downtime rollout.
04OperateFinOps reviews, monitoring and optional 24/7 managed services.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a CUD?
Generally no — size carefully.
Do CUDs apply to GKE?
Yes, to the underlying Compute Engine resources.
Are CUDs worth it for startups?
Once usage is predictable, usually yes.
SA
Reviewed by Saeed Ak · Co-founder & CTO25 years engineering high-traffic ecommerce, cloud and security platforms. Written by the VISIBI Cloud team.Meet the team →