Google Vertex AI is a serious ML platform — for GCP-committed engineering teams. osFoundry is a ready-to-use platform for business adoption. Here’s an honest comparison for 2026. (dgm implements osFoundry as an independent partner; we’ll be fair to both.)
At a glance
| Google Vertex AI | osFoundry | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | GCP AI/ML platform (infra) | Ready-to-use AI platform |
| You | Build/train/deploy on it | Configure & use it |
| Hosting | Google Cloud (locked) | Self-host AWS/GCP/Azure or US/EU/JP |
| Models | Model Garden (200+, GCP) | Model-agnostic, bring-your-own-key |
| Orientation | ML/engineering | Business adoption |
As of 2026 — confirm with each vendor.
What each is
Google Vertex AI is Google Cloud’s managed AI/ML platform — build, train and deploy models and AI applications, with Model Garden (200+ models). It’s GCP-locked and engineering-oriented, and is evolving into Gemini Enterprise as an agent platform (we compare that separately).
osFoundry is a ready-to-use, cloud-neutral platform you configure rather than build.
The key differences: build vs use, locked vs neutral
- Build vs use — Vertex AI is infrastructure for ML teams to build on; osFoundry is a prebuilt platform business teams configure. (See build vs buy.)
- Cloud lock-in — Vertex AI is GCP-bound; osFoundry is cloud-neutral.
Data and residency
Vertex AI keeps data in your GCP project with Google’s controls. osFoundry self-hosts in your own cloud with your own keys, or uses its EU region (US/EU/JP, no UK region). For strict UK residency, self-host in a UK/EU region either way.
Who each is best for
- Vertex AI — GCP-committed ML/engineering teams building and deploying custom AI.
- osFoundry — businesses wanting faster, configurable, cloud-neutral adoption.
Complementary: osFoundry can run in your GCP account.
Which should a UK business choose?
Building custom ML on GCP? Vertex AI. Want a ready-to-use, cloud-neutral platform for business adoption? osFoundry — and dgm can help you evaluate and implement.
dgm is an independent integration partner with zero integrations so far. To compare these, book a consultation with dgm. General information; verify current vendor pricing.