Cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses operate, providing them with access to computing resources and applications through the internet. This has led to a significant increase in the adoption of cloud computing solutions across various industries. In this article, we will take a closer look at the cloud computing market share and the key players in the industry.
What is Cloud Computing?
Before we dive into the market share, let’s first understand what cloud computing is. Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence, over the internet. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware and software infrastructure.
Cloud computing has three main service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). IaaS provides businesses with access to computing resources like servers, storage, and networking. PaaS allows developers to build, test, and deploy applications without worrying about infrastructure management. SaaS provides businesses with access to software applications over the internet.
Cloud Computing Market Share
The cloud computing market share is dominated by a few key players, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. According to a report by Synergy Research Group, AWS holds the largest share of the market at 33%, followed by Microsoft Azure at 18%, and Google Cloud Platform at 9%. IBM Cloud and Alibaba Cloud hold a 6% and 5% market share, respectively.
Another report by Gartner shows that the worldwide public cloud services market is projected to grow by 18.4% in 2021 to a total of $304.9 billion, up from $257.5 billion in 2020. The growth is attributed to the increased adoption of cloud computing solutions by businesses across various industries.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides businesses with cloud computing services. AWS was launched in 2006, and it has since grown to become the market leader in cloud computing. AWS offers a wide range of services, including compute, storage, databases, analytics, machine learning, and more.
Some of the popular AWS services include Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, and Amazon Redshift. AWS also offers a range of deployment options, including AWS Outposts, AWS Wavelength, and AWS Local Zones.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that provides businesses with a range of services, including compute, storage, databases, analytics, and more. Azure was launched in 2010, and it has since grown to become the second-largest cloud computing provider.
Some of the popular Azure services include Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Storage, Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, and Azure Synapse Analytics. Azure also offers a range of deployment options, including Azure Stack and Azure Arc.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a cloud computing platform that provides businesses with a range of services, including compute, storage, databases, analytics, and more. GCP was launched in 2008, and it has since grown to become the third-largest cloud computing provider.
Some of the popular GCP services include Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, Cloud SQL, Firestore, and BigQuery. GCP also offers a range of deployment options, including Anthos and Cloud Run.
IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud is a cloud computing platform that provides businesses with a range of services, including compute, storage, databases, analytics, and more. IBM Cloud was launched in 2013, and it has since grown to become one of the top cloud computing providers.
Some of the popular IBM Cloud services include IBM Cloud Virtual Servers, IBM Cloud Object Storage, IBM Cloud Databases, and IBM Watson Studio. IBM Cloud also offers a range of deployment options, including IBM Cloud Private and IBM Cloud Satellite.
Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud is a cloud computing platform that provides businesses with a range of services, including compute, storage, databases, analytics, and more. Alibaba Cloud was launched in 2009, and it has since grown to become one of the top cloud computing providers.
Some of the popular Alibaba Cloud services include Elastic Compute Service (ECS), Object Storage Service (OSS), AnalyticDB, and MaxCompute. Alibaba Cloud also offers a range of deployment options, including Hybrid Cloud and Cloud Enterprise Network.
Conclusion
The cloud computing market share is dominated by a few key players, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud. These providers offer a wide range of services, making it easier for businesses to adopt cloud computing solutions and improve their operations. With the projected growth of the cloud computing market, it’s clear that cloud computing is here to stay and will continue to revolutionize the way businesses operate.