11 Popular Cloud Computing Platforms
Choosing the right cloud platform can mean the difference between success and failure for a product, project or even a business. This breakdown covers the 11 leading cloud computing platforms and their special features.
Cloud computing platforms are the underlying infrastructure and software that enable the delivery of cloud computing services and other SaaS products. They provide the foundational elements for organizations to access and utilize cloud-based resources, applications and services.
Cloud computing platforms have different types. Public clouds offer on-demand services over the internet that anyone can access. Private clouds provide dedicated infrastructure for a single organization, enhancing security and control. Hybrid clouds combine public and private cloud resources. Multi-cloud strategies use services from many providers, minimizing vendor lock-in and potentially reducing costs.
These platforms provide flexibility by letting businesses adjust their resources as needed. They’re cost-effective too, charging for only what is used. Plus, they help businesses operate during emergencies by keeping data available and consistent.
AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure are the most popular cloud computing platforms, each with unique value propositions catering to diverse business needs. However, there are many other cloud computing platforms available.
What Is a Cloud Computing Platform?
A cloud computing platform is a set of infrastructure that provides access to IT resources over the internet. Its main role is to host applications and data, making them available from anywhere with an internet connection.
These platforms offer various services, such as storing files, running applications and managing databases. Cloud computing platforms also provide tools and services that allow multiple users to edit documents, share data and communicate in real time.
This method saves you money as you don’t need to buy lots of hardware and software up front. You can use more or less of the services as needed, which helps you manage your usage. Instead of buying your own equipment, you can use what the cloud provider offers online. This way, you pay for only what you use, and the provider takes care of all the underlying technology.
What Are the Types of Cloud Computing Platforms?
Cloud computing platforms are divided into four broad types. The types of cloud computing platforms are described below.
- Public cloud platforms: These are owned and operated by third-party service providers that offer computing resources — like virtual machines and storage — over the internet. Multiple users can access them, and they provide scalability and cost-effectiveness due to the shared infrastructure.
- Private cloud platforms: Unlike public clouds, private cloud platforms are dedicated to a single organization, either hosted internally or by a third-party provider. They offer greater control, security and customization options, making them suitable for businesses with specific compliance or performance requirements.
- Hybrid cloud platforms: Hybrid clouds combine elements of both public and private clouds, allowing data and applications to be shared between them. This flexibility enables organizations to leverage the scalability and cost-efficiency of public clouds while retaining sensitive data and critical workloads in private environments.
- Multi-cloud platforms: Multi-cloud platforms involve using multiple public cloud providers simultaneously to meet different workload requirements. This approach reduces vendor lock-in and enhances resilience by distributing workloads across various cloud environments.
![difference-between-the-4-cloud-types- difference between the 4 cloud types](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/difference-between-the-4-cloud-types--800x480.png)
Comparison: What Are the 11 Most Popular Cloud Computing Platforms?
In cloud computing, picking the right platform can make all the difference for your business. Each platform comes with its unique set of services designed to meet various technical demands, business goals and even local needs.
The 11 most popular cloud computing platforms are AWS Cloud, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, SAP BTP, DigitalOcean, IBM Cloud, NetApp Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, CloudLinux and Hadoop. Let’s take a closer look at these 11 and see what makes each one stand out.
- AWS Cloud — Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the leading cloud service provider, offering extensive computing power, storage and other IT resources through the cloud.
- Google Cloud Platform — Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides a suite of cloud computing services that run on the same infrastructure that Google uses internally for its end-user products.
- Microsoft Azure — Microsoft Azure is known for its integrated cloud services that allow developers and IT professionals to build, deploy and manage applications through its global network.
- SAP Business Technology Platform — The SAP BTP platform consolidates business data, helps manage databases and facilitates movement towards a more intelligent enterprise.
- DigitalOcean — DigitalOcean specializes in cloud services for deploying modern apps, with a particular focus on simplicity and scale.
- Oracle Cloud — Oracle Cloud offers a comprehensive cloud computing service that includes applications, platform services and engineered systems.
- IBM Cloud — IBM Cloud includes Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) that are built upon a set of virtualized cloud infrastructure.
- NetApp Cloud Services — NetApp provides hybrid cloud data services and cloud data management, helping organizations manage applications and data across the cloud and on-premises environments.
- Alibaba Cloud — Alibaba Cloud, which is part of the Alibaba Group, offers a variety of online services for digital tasks. It’s known for its strong presence in Asia, and it offers scalable and secure cloud solutions.
- CloudLinux — CloudLinux is specifically designed for shared hosting environments, enhancing server stability and security.
- Hadoop — Hadoop is an open-source framework that supports the processing and storage of extremely large datasets in a computing environment.
1. AWS Cloud
![aws-console-1 aws console](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/aws-console-1-800x368.png)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s largest and most comprehensive cloud platform, offering over 200 cloud-based services. It provides an extensive range of solutions that include computing, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning, the Internet of Things and more.
AWS launched all the way back in 2006 and has an expansive global infrastructure with 33 geographic regions, 105 availability zones, over 600 CloudFront Points of Presence, as well as 13 regional edge caches. Reflecting its market dominance, AWS commands a 31% share of the global cloud computing market.
2. Google Cloud Platform
![google-cloud-dashboard google cloud dashboard](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/google-cloud-dashboard-800x344.png)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is Google’s answer to AWS and the third-largest cloud platform. Launched in 2008, it currently operates in 40 regions with 121 availability zones and 187 network edge locations, so it’s available in over 195 countries worldwide.
GCP uses the same underlying infrastructure and technology that powers big Google services such as Search and YouTube. This means that Google Cloud can scale effectively and reliably just like these well-established products. It offers PaaS, SaaS, IaaS and FaaS solutions.
Google Cloud is famous for its strength in big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and it holds an 11% share of the global cloud computing market. With its innovative approach and strong focus on cutting-edge technologies, Google Cloud continues to gain popularity, particularly among organizations in the technology, media and gaming industries.
3. Microsoft Azure
![microsoft-azure-dashboard microsoft azure dashboard](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-azure-dashboard-800x308.png)
Microsoft Azure is the third of the “big three” cloud computing providers and is the second-largest cloud service provider globally, with a 24% market share. Azure operates in 64 regions around the world — with 15 additional regions under development — totaling 79 and 126 availability zones with 37 more zones in the development phase. In total, it has grown to over 300 data centers worldwide since launching in 2010.
Azure’s expansive global infrastructure, coupled with its drive to establish a presence in new regions, makes it a reliable choice for organizations with dispersed locations or strict data residency requirements. It has strong hybrid cloud scenarios and cloud services that integrate well with Microsoft’s business applications and development tools. Azure offers over 200 distinct cloud-based services and solutions.
4. SAP Business Technology Platform
![sap-btp-landing-page sap btp landing page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/sap-btp-landing-page-800x344.png)
rebranded to SAP Business Platform in 2021.
SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is an enterprise-focused cloud platform gaining ground in the market with 16,000 current customers. SAP BTP stands out as an open cloud platform designed to help companies blend processes, experiences and data seamlessly. It has a small slice of the pie, with just 0.27% of the market in the PaaS category.
5. DigitalOcean
![digitalocean-landing-page digital ocean landing page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/digitalocean-landing-page-800x350.png)
Overview: DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider that focuses on offering a simple and developer-friendly platform. Launched in 2011, this solution operates 15 data centers in nine regions across the globe.
DigitalOcean is primarily known for its straightforward and cost-effective cloud services, targeting small- to medium-sized businesses and individual developers. The platform has a global market share of 1.39% in the storage infrastructure sector.
6. Oracle Cloud
![oracle-cloud-infrastructure-cloud-overview-page oracle cloud infrastructure overview page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/oracle-cloud-infrastructure-cloud-overview-page-800x339.png)
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) is Oracle’s cloud computing platform. The platform offers services across government and commercial sectors, and it has dedicated regions specifically designed to meet the distinct requirements of these different users.
Despite being a newer player in the cloud market (launched in 2016), it has grown to command 2.1% of the market share. Oracle Cloud operates in 48 geographic regions, with 58 availability domains in 24 countries.
OCI currently provides over 100 distinct products. Its competitive pricing and robust, enterprise-grade solutions have made it a popular choice among large organizations — especially businesses with pre-existing Oracle workloads.
7. IBM Cloud
![ibm-catalog-page ibm cloud catalogs page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ibm-catalog-page-800x349.png)
IBM Cloud offers a variety of IaaS, PaaS and SaaS tools and is noted for offering a lot of specialty services like AI, blockchain and IoT.
IBM launched its cloud platform in April 2011 and now operates in nine regions and 31 availability zones globally. As of April 2024, the company has an estimated market share of 2% and offers over 170 distinct products and services, primarily targeting enterprise customers.
8. NetApp Cloud Services
![netapp-cloud-landing-page netapp cloud landing page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/netapp-cloud-landing-page-800x333.png)
NetApp focuses on converged and hyper-converged infrastructure. Its flagship products include FAS, AFF and ASA storage systems, along with the ONTAP data management operating system.
9. Alibaba Cloud
![alibaba-cloud-about-page alibaba cloud about page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/alibaba-cloud-about-page-800x340.png)
Alibaba Cloud is a leading cloud computing platform in Asia and the largest cloud platform based outside the U.S. It operates 89 availability zones across 30 regions around the world, with plans to expand to additional locations. Alibaba Cloud provides over 100 cloud-based products and services to its customers.
Alibaba remains a relatively minor player in the global cloud market, with its global market share was estimated at around 4% as of Q4 2023. However, Alibaba Cloud holds a dominant 39% market share in the cloud computing industry in China, making it the largest cloud service provider in Asia. Despite its smaller footprint, it continues to invest in growing its cloud infrastructure and service offerings worldwide.
10. CloudLinux
![cloudlinux-landing-page cloudlinux landing page](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cloudlinux-landing-page-800x333.png)
on cloud platforms.
CloudLinux is an operating system for hosting providers to make shared hosting safer for users. By using its system, hosting companies can fit more websites on each server, making them safer and more profitable. The system also allows for better isolation and resource management among hosted websites, enhancing stability and performance.
Over 1,000 hosting companies use CloudLinux across 11,000 servers globally. They have over 100 data center partners and 4,000 customers, with half a million servers running their software. This innovative operating system has helped revolutionize the shared hosting industry, allowing for greater security, efficiency and profitability for hosting providers.
11. Hadoop
![hadoop-homepage hadoop homepage](https://www.cloudwards.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/hadoop-homepage-800x319.png)
Hadoop is a widely used framework within cloud platforms for big data processing. The platform consists of the Hadoop Distributed File System and MapReduce processing.
The project was originally developed to support distribution for the Nutch search engine project, but later became an open-source project, growing with contributions from a large community of developers.
The ecosystem has grown to include over 20 related projects like Spark and Hive. Hadoop’s ability to handle massive volumes of structured and unstructured data makes it invaluable for big data analytics and data-driven decision-making among big companies, such as Google and AWS.
What Are the Top 3 Examples of Cloud Computing Platforms?
The top three examples of cloud computing platforms are Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure, which make up 67% of the global cloud infrastructure market, according to Synergy Research Group.
What Are the Benefits of Cloud Platforms?
The benefits of cloud platforms are flexibility, security, scalability, cost savings, and accessibility. They allow organizations to be more flexible, easily increase or decrease their computing power as needed, and save costs. This lets them focus on their main business while the cloud provider manages the IT infrastructure.
Cloud platforms also offer backup and recovery options in case of disasters, and provides tools for teams to collaborate smoothly. These benefits help businesses operate more effectively in today’s digital world.
These benefits are discussed below:
- Scalability: Cloud platforms allow businesses to easily scale their computing resources up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal resource utilization and avoiding over-provisioning or under-provisioning.
- Cost savings: With a pay-as-you-go pricing model, organizations only pay for the resources they consume, eliminating the need for up-front capital investments in hardware and infrastructure.
- Accessibility: Cloud services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote work and global collaboration among teams and stakeholders.
- Increased agility: Cloud platforms facilitate rapid deployment of applications and services, allowing businesses to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and customer demands.
- Enhanced security: Cloud service providers implement robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls and regular software updates. This ensures the protection of sensitive data and applications.
- Disaster recovery: Cloud platforms offer built-in disaster recovery and data backup solutions, minimizing downtime and safeguarding business continuity in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- Automatic updates: Cloud providers regularly update and maintain their platforms so that users can access the latest features and security patches without the need for manual upgrades.
Which Cloud Service Types Do Cloud Computing Platforms Offer?
The key cloud service types that cloud computing platforms offer include Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Anything as a Service (XaaS). We discuss these types of cloud computing services below:
- Software as a Service (SaaS): SaaS lets users access software applications on a subscription basis without the need for internal infrastructure or hardware. Its key features include automatic updates, scalability and cross-device compatibility.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS): PaaS provides a platform that allows customers to develop, run and manage applications without having to build and maintain the complex infrastructure typically associated with app development.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): IaaS offers fundamental computing, network and storage resources on-demand over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis.
- Anything as a Service (XaaS): XaaS is a collective term that stands for the delivery of anything as a service. It includes all services provided over the internet that supersede traditional delivery methods.
Final Thoughts
As cloud computing continues to evolve, it remains a critical asset for businesses striving for digital transformation and operational resilience. The flexibility, scalability and cost-efficiency of cloud platforms not only drive innovation but also empower businesses to effectively adapt to changing market dynamics.
We encourage our readers to consider how cloud services could benefit their operations and strategic goals. Which aspects of cloud computing are you most interested in exploring? How do you see cloud technology evolving in the next five years? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below. Thank you for reading, and we look forward to your insights and discussions!
FAQ: Best Cloud Platform Services
Cloud computing platforms include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, SAP BTP, Alibaba Cloud and many others that provide a variety of cloud-based services.
Cloud computing comes in four main types: public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud. A public cloud is operated by third-party providers to offer services over the internet, while a private cloud is dedicated to a single organization. Hybrid clouds blend public and private elements, and multi-cloud involves using multiple cloud services from different providers.
The three biggest cloud provider platforms are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). These platforms lead the market in terms of revenue, technological innovation and global reach.
Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services over the internet, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence. An example of cloud computing is Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides cloud-based storage solutions, computing resources and virtual servers.
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