Google vs Microsoft vs Amazon

Apr 10, 2021 176 Comments

So, I recently posted about Microsoft vs Amazon offers and everyone asked me to take the Microsoft offer. Now I have a Google offer too and my situation has changed (a bit) with Amazon.

This is a big decision (personally) and would really like to get you guys' opinion :)

Education: MS
YOE: 2

Google:
Base: $175k
Stocks: $360k over 4 years (25% per year)
Perf bonus: 15%
Sign-on: $35k
TC:. $300k (= 175 + 15% + 360/4 + 35/4)
Location: Mountain View, CA
Details: L4 ML SWE at either youtube or google search ads

Microsoft:
Base: $155k
Stocks: $225k over 4 years (25% per year)
Perf. Bonus: 10%
Sign-on: $100k ( 50k each for years 1,2)
TC: $252k (= 155 + 10% + 225/4 + 100/4)
Location: Seattle, WA
Details: Applied Scientist (L62) with Bing

Amazon:
Base: $175k
Stocks: 80 RSUs (5-15-40-40 split)
Sign-on: $100k (year 1), $80k (year 2)
TC:. $287k (= total compensation over 4 years divided by 4, at today's stock price; ~$292k-$296k-280k-$280k across 4 years)
Location: San Francisco, CA
Details: L5 ML Engineer (with a confidential team)

Note: My Amazon recruiter is willing to get my TC to upto $305k provided I take their offer for sure.

Okay, so which one is better?! Not just in terms of exact TC. Here are some questions I am having.

1. Google tc is better only by ~6k compared to Microsoft's just after tax. Is it worth it?! Expected a lot more from Google!
2. I like my Microsoft team the most. Also the role there is considered at much higher standards compared to the other two. Going into a more research role would, I feel, set me up for a much better life in the long run ( I really like research)
3. I tried to get matched to a ML SWE role with Google Brain/Research but couldn't. Can I switch internally IF needed in the future?
4. My google recruiter told me I may get ~33% stock refreshers grant after year 1. Is it true? How likely is it?!
5. I don't wanna talk to my amazon recruiter, get that huge ~20k jump and then renege them. Is it worth considering Amazon?! I liked the team and they are made of hyper-smart people.
5. Any other thoughts?

Thank you so much for your valuable time!

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TOP 176 Comments
  • There is only one correct answer - don't join Amazon.
    Apr 10, 2021 10
  • Amazon
    yXnO33

    Go to company page Amazon

    yXnO33
    Amazon is a toxic place and they treat employees really, really shitty. Go to msft and thank me later.
    Apr 10, 2021 0
  • Amazon
    alpha_q

    Go to company page Amazon

    alpha_q
    Take what people say about amazon with a pinch of salt. While there is truth to what people say about it, there are also teams with great work and good people. I'm fortunate to be in one such team. We work on large scale nlp problems, have great wlb and I think I'm paid pretty well considering I work no more than 9-5 weekdays.

    The offer is a top band l5 offer you have from Amazon. Try to figure out what the wlb and type of people you work with are like. And see if the team publishes papers etc. It might not be such a bad choice.

    Of course, google def looks better in your resume. Amazon perhaps based on statistics alone could be a bad place to join. But don't write it off without doing some research.
    Apr 10, 2021 2
    • Yep, totally! The team apparently doesn't publish paper. One thing I know is that the team has huge impact because the idea was put forward by Jeff B himself. Can understand how visible this project would be within Amazon.
      I don't wanna ask about WLB to my recruiter. What do you think?!
      Btw, the team has super-smart people (like codeforces #2 and IOI winner etc.)
      Apr 10, 2021
    • Amazon
      Ugpe62

      Go to company page Amazon

      Ugpe62
      I would not recommend Amazon to any of my friends. Toxic culture is best avoided. I could not figure out a single reason for you to join Amazon. Given the present offers, I would recommend Microsoft.
      Apr 19, 2021
  • Amazon
    eBAv18

    Go to company page Amazon

    eBAv18
    I'd pick Google. 300k for L4 is good and you'll get better refreshers than MS. Amazon is not worth it as a company especially when your have options like Goog and MS.
    Apr 10, 2021 1
  • Boeing
    kydxnntu

    Go to company page Boeing

    kydxnntu
    I wouldn’t worry about getting Google on your resume. You’ve proven you can do that if you want. Where would you like to work in Google? You’ve already told us that. Research. Take Microsoft, work a few years in Research and then make the switch to Google research. It’s a no brainer to me and I would personally prefer Google. But right now the thing that is worth the most being offered is that Research role. Forget about the TC and brand, that role is gold. Even then the TC and brand at MS is not that much worse, seems to be a total no brainer take MS.
    Apr 10, 2021 3
    • Google
      pPHt03

      Go to company page Google

      pPHt03
      OP, even as great as Google is I think this is the best advice.

      Sounds like your gut is telling you the MS research team is something you want to do, and at your YOE that matters a whole lot more.

      Comments about TC refreshers and WLB at Google are pretty spot on, but MS then Google/something else will be better for your career than going straight to Google in a role you like less.

      Something that might be common knowledge that I don't see stated often enough is that job hopping is basically required to get promoted to higher levels beyond Google L5, unless you are very patient and politically fortunate.

      Doing something that provides good experience and work history to work in an area you prefer is much more valuable. The other stuff about TC and WLB matters less now and more when you're a couple levels higher, especially since you're already capable of getting some pretty great offers (congrats btw!)
      Apr 13, 2021
    • Thanks Google, that's one of the best advices I have got :)
      Apr 13, 2021