Google PCA Design and plan a cloud solution architecture Practice Question
A startup is deploying a new web application on Google Cloud. They want to minimize infrastructure management and focus on writing code. The application consists of a frontend and a backend API, and they expect variable traffic. They also want to pay only for what they use. Which Google Cloud service should the solutions architect recommend for deploying the application?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that a managed Kubernetes service like GKE Autopilot is the most serverless option, when Cloud Run requires even less management and is better suited for simple containerized applications.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Cloud Run.
Cloud Run is a serverless compute platform that runs stateless containers, scales automatically with traffic, and charges only for resources consumed during request processing. It eliminates infrastructure management, letting the startup focus on code. Its ability to scale to zero and handle variable traffic makes it ideal for a frontend and backend API with unpredictable load.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) with Autopilot.
Why it's wrong here
GKE Autopilot reduces node management, but it still requires containerization and Kubernetes expertise. The startup would need to manage deployments and services, which adds complexity. While it scales and is pay-per-use, it may be overkill for a simple frontend and backend API, and does not minimize management as much as a fully serverless option.
- ✗
App Engine standard environment.
Why it's wrong here
App Engine standard is a fully managed serverless platform, but it has runtime restrictions and may not support all languages or libraries. It also scales automatically, but Cloud Run offers more flexibility with containers. For a new application with variable traffic, Cloud Run is generally simpler and more portable.
- ✓
Cloud Run.
Why this is correct
Cloud Run is a fully managed serverless platform that runs containers and automatically scales based on traffic, including scaling to zero. It abstracts away all infrastructure, allowing the startup to focus on code. It charges only for resources used during request handling, matching the pay-per-use requirement.
- ✗
Compute Engine with managed instance groups.
Why it's wrong here
Compute Engine requires managing VMs, including patching and scaling, which increases operational overhead. While managed instance groups can autoscale, the startup would still need to manage the underlying infrastructure. This does not align with the goal of minimizing infrastructure management and focusing on code.
Quick reference
Cloud Service Model Comparison
| Model | You Manage | Provider Manages | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| IaaS | OS, runtime, apps, data | Hardware, hypervisor, networking | EC2, Azure VMs, GCP Compute Engine |
| PaaS | Apps and data | OS, runtime, middleware, hardware | Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service |
| SaaS | Data and settings only | Everything else | Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Workday |
| FaaS / Serverless | Function code only | Infra, scaling, runtime | Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloud Run |
| CaaS | Containers and apps | Kubernetes, OS, hardware | EKS, AKS, GKE |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Virtual Machine Instances in Compute Engine
Key term
Cloud Run
Cloud Run is a fully managed compute platform from Google Cloud that lets you run containerized applications in a serverless environment, automatically scaling from zero to thousands of requests.
Key term
Service
A service is a software component or system that performs a specific function and is available to be used by other programs or users over a network.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Google Cloud exam blueprint
This PCA practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCA exam.