Best Cloud Tools of 2024: Unleash Maximum Productivity

Importance of Cloud Computing Tools

Cloud computing refers to the on-demand Platform that provides IT resources and services, application creation and management, and so on over the Internet. In other words, it is a global network of computing services such as networking, servers, software, analytics, storage, databases, and intelligence. The Cloud computing services are available in pay-as-you-go pricing. 

Cloud computing is increasingly popular among individuals and enterprises, requiring larger storage space, efficient backup solutions, and easy access to data from anywhere. Cloud computing tools have become integral to digital operations and modern IT infrastructure. This is because these tools enable organizations to enhance storage, optimize their resources, drive innovation, and improve agility, ultimately reshaping the roadmap of how technologies can benefit businesses to achieve their goals.

Benefits of Using Cloud Computing Tools

Cloud computing tools have increasingly become popular among organizations due to the fantastic features that help them to grow their business efficiently. Here, we have enlisted some of the benefits of cloud computing tools for your reference.

• High performance and availability 
• Business continuity and instant business insights 
• Flexibility and mobility 
• Centralized data security 
• Cost-saving solution and price performance 
• Accessible anywhere to any device
• Get rid of using multiple hardware and software
• Instant application deployment 
• Virtualized computing and increased collaboration 
• Loss prevention and disaster recovery
• Competitive edge and quality control 
• Greener technology solutions (reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by up to 90%)

Top 15 Cloud Computing Tools

Let us now have a quick review of top-notch 15 cloud computing tools:

AWS 

Amazon Web Services, or AWS, is known as one of the best cloud computing tools in the current era. It is a platform that offers a wide range of services, including machine learning analytics, storage solutions, computing capabilities, and more.

There is a huge demand for cloud computing tools and Application Programming interfaces (APIs) with distributed computing capabilities by enterprises. Due to its expansive worldwide infrastructure and cost-effective pay-as-you-go pricing structure, AWS enables the virtual environment to load and deploy multiple servers and applications.

Features

• Hybrid cloud capabilities
• Networking and content delivery
• Comprehensive cloud services with seamless integration of Microsoft Ecosystem
• A diverse range of enterprise solutions
• Cloud storage and databases
• Networking, content delivery, cloud storage, and databases
• Identity, security, and compliance management 

Challenges

• AWS leaves curve for non-Microsoft-centric enterprises
• Limiting resources by region
• Managing cost-effectively

Microsoft Azure 

Microsoft Azure is a renowned public cloud computing platform with different solutions, such as Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). These solutions are used explicitly for diverse services, including virtual computing, storage solutions, analytics, networking, content delivery, and more. 

The services of Microsoft Azure are similar to AWS, but they integrate well with Microsoft's other products. This feature leads them to stay ahead in the best cloud computing tools, especially for enterprises using Microsoft technologies.

Features

• Comprehensive data storage and management services
• Integration with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) services
• Advanced analytics and automation capabilities
• Single pane operations are available, providing a unified view of the hybrid environment via MaaS and OMS
• A diverse range of enterprise solutions
• Smooth integration with the Microsoft ecosystem
• Hybrid cloud capabilities
• Security and Compliance management
• Wide range of tools and services in a cost-effective range
• Improved collaboration and productivity
• Disaster recovery, business continuity, and business intelligence
• Global race and high availability

Challenges

• Widely used for only Microsoft-based organizations
• Platform expertise is required
• Misunderstanding of the shared responsibility model
• The rapid increase in cost

Puppet 

A cloud computing tool designed to automate the provisioning and management of infrastructure. This well-known cloud computing tool maintains consistent configuration over several servers. This helps the cloud environment to handle large-scale deployments in the IT world today. 

In other words, automation of repetitive tasks and rapid deployments of critical services and applications. Puppet is effectively used in Fortune 500 companies as several platforms support Puppet, including the MACOS X server, Microsoft Windows, Ubuntu or Debian, Fedora, and others.

Features

• Supports infrastructure as code practices
• Open source and a large number of cross-platform
• Scalable and patch management 
• Application configuration management
• Continuous compliance 

Challenges

•  Scripting knowledge is required

Informatica 

It is one of the best cloud computing tools used for data integration and management. The Platform aids in data extraction, transformation, and load for data warehousing, analytics, and numerous other purposes. 

Pricing varies by switching the features of Informatica, which may include API management, data cleansing/quality, and application integration at just one Platform. 

Features

• Open and flexible Platform
• Multi-Cloud and Hybrid
• Low code, no code
• Accurate insights into cost allocation, anomalies, and cost drivers
• Raw data transformation
• Good maintenance and monitoring 
• Multiple processing at a time
• Automated deployments
• Facilitates cost optimization
• Budget management

Challenges

• It does not cover broader cloud management aspects
• Specialized only in cost intelligence

Chef 

It is an open-source platform created by Opscode. The father of Chef' Adam Jacob is the founder of Opscode. The Platform is designed to develop essential building blocks via ruby encoding. 

These building blocks may include cookbooks and recipes. It is primarily used for infrastructure automation and eliminates manual or repetitive tasks during infrastructure management. The technology deploys and manages applications and servers in-house and on the cloud.

Features

• Confidence through code
• High on-premises availability
• Continuous delivery system
• Drift elimination
• Automated notifications and alerts over numerous platforms
• Manage disparate systems as One
• Extreme flexibility 
• Data backup and recovery services
• Automated testing
• Infrastructure scanning 
• Compliance reporting and security audits

Challenges

• Lack of documentation
• Chef Solo is available
• Management of cookbooks
• Only a good fit for AWS cloud
• Need expertise to understand and gain familiarity

DigitalOcean 

It is a well-known cloud computing tool focusing on simplicity and developer-friendly environments. Individuals, developers, and startups prefer this cloud infrastructure provider for cost-effective solutions and ease of use. It reduces your roadblocks with dedicated support and grows profitability.

Features

• Quick setup and user-friendly interface
• Small-scale projects can be done at competitive pricing 
• Developer-centric cloud platform
• Build and ship faster using simple tools
• Predictable pricing 
• Managed databases and storage
• Build and deploy apps without managing infrastructure
• Fully managed cloud hosting solutions
• Simple and scalable virtual machines for all web and VPS hosting requirements

Challenges

• Limited enterprise-level features 
• Lack of highly secure SSH Host keys
• Inability to install the system independently 

IBM Cloud 

IBM Cloud is one of the best cloud computing tools, offering multiple ranges of cloud computing, such as AI services, storage solutions, computing power, databases, and much more. 

Typically, IBM focuses on delivering solutions to enterprises. It is designed explicitly concerning the ever-changing requirements of both computing and business. Here, you can access advanced technologies with higher reliability and minimal resources.

Features

• Secure mission-critical workloads
• Flexible licensing and support
• Add value to business applications
• Modernized application development 
• Full stack integration
• Object-based architecture
• New technology for business value
• Subscription term licensing 
• Robust hybrid cloud capabilities
• Cloud deployment options 
• Simplified systems management 
• Multi-cloud deployment 

Challenges

• Smaller market share in comparison to other cloud providers 
• Higher pricing 
• User interface and experience are less intuitive in comparison to others

Ansible 

Ansible is a cloud computing tool for users looking for user-friendly, comprehensive platforms. It offers automation for infrastructure configuration, provisioning, application deployment, container orchestration, cloud provisioning, and security.

Ansible is a secure, dependable, agentless, and goal-oriented cloud computing tool that is quite new in the cloud market. It is an open-source cloud computing platform that helps deliver efficiencies, connect teams, and demonstrate values for your organization.

Features

• Hybrid cloud automation
• Edge Automation
• Security automation 
• Provisioning 
• Configuration management 
• Ansible dashboard
• Application deployment
• Automation execution environment 
• Easy setup, free access, and scalable 
• Playbooks and Software agents
• RESTful API
• Plugins, job scheduling, and workflow editors
• Highly efficient and flexible 
• Orchestrates containers
• Reconfigures infrastructure 

Challenges

• Insufficient user interface
• Complexity and maintenance 
• Limited windows support
• Lack of experience
• New in the market
• Limited Notion of State

Cloudyn 

Cloudyn offers in-depth insights into its databases and possesses data storage capabilities and computing prowess. Here, you can get many tools for tracking cloud spending, managing costs, optimizing resource utilization, etc. 

Cloudyn is a popular Microsoft cloud management and optimization platform, now integrated with Azure Cost Management. The Platform prevents users from over-purchasing Amazon cloud resources and offers control panel views.

Features

• Effective cost analysis and continuous optimization
• Resource cost analytics
• Simple UI and intuitive dashboards
• Usage trends
• Visibility across the platforms
• Customized dashboards and reports
• Accountability for governance
• Vetted solutions 
• Deep cloud expertise and expensive experience 

Challenges

• The primary focus is on cost management 
• Does not offer comprehensive cloud management capabilities

GitHub

GitHub is an online repository with source code management. It is now widely used by Git developers for version control and collaboration. This web-based Platform has become essential for diverse cloud-based development projects. 

GitHub automates the workflow where it builds, tests, and deploys it securely in a simpler way. 22% increase in developer productivity has been observed within three years of GitHub use. With GitHub, you can secure your code in minutes.

Features

• Automation and CI/CD
• Task and team management 
• Access control and collaborations worldwide
• GitHub actions, packages, pages, and APIs 
• Secrets management 
• Automatic track issues, pull requests, and save notes or ideas
• Secured and compliant environment 
• Standardized workflow templates 
• Version control and open-source
• Code repository hosting 
• Strong developer community and hosting 
• Workflow visualization

Challenges

• Tedious long pull requests
• Merge issues
• Risk change in the central repository
• Not always adequate for enterprises-level native security
• Bug risks and error generation 
• Poor customer support
• Cost of private repositories 
• Advanced features are limited to paid plans 

Kubernetes 

Kubernetes is an open-source system mainly dealing with containerized applications. Kubernetes, commonly known as K8s, is responsible for automation, deployment, scaling, and management. It can facilitate both declarative configuration and automation. 

The tool is identified as the production-grade Platform and holds a large and rapidly growing ecosystem. There are multiple services, tools, and supports available through Kubernetes. 

Features

• Automated rollouts and rollbacks 
• Storage, secret, and configuration management 
• Automatic bin packing 
• Self-healing of containers 
• Extensible design  
• Provides IPv4/IPv6 addresses
• Easy scale-up and load-balancing 
• Batch execution and Service discovery 

Challenges

• Complex and vulnerable security 
• Not suitable for traditional networking method 
• Containers are short-lived and lack stability  

 RightScale 

RightScale, established in 2006 and offering a cloud computing tool, has been acquired by Flexera. The services of RightScale are readily available through the new Platform. It provides complete lifecycle management and administration facilities. 

More than 80,000 users utilize the functions. Moreover, RightScale has also launched over 9 million servers, comprising the most significant scaling events and production deployments. 

RightScale supports a variety of private and public clouds along with Microsoft Azure Resource Manager. It provides support for numerous Windows-based applications. The users get the best customer support and the necessary onboarding assistance for using the tool.  

Features

• Manage computation, network, and storage 
• Multi-cloud access control 
• Easier cost tracking
• Design multi-cloud service configurations  
• ITSM integrating API
• Full application orchestration 
• Cloud analytics and management 
• Automatic end dates 
• Access control across data centers, clouds, and tenants 
• Automatic user operations 

Challenges

• Requires training for usage 

Salesforce 

It is a cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform. Salesforce is a leader in cloud computing that allows the monitoring of customer-related information in real time. It offers many services to enhance customer relationships and enable data-driven customer messaging services. 

There are different types of Salesforce Cloud services, such as Sales, Analytics, IoT, Marketing, Salesforce App, and Service Cloud. Users can manage sales operations, customer engagement data, marketing campaigns, and other crucial functions. 

Features

• Opportunity, contact, and account management 
• Lead generation and management 
• File sync and share 
• AI-driven analytics 
• Email integration 
• User-friendly reports and dashboards 
• Sales collaboration 
• Partner and territory management 

Challenges

• Requires technical expertise for customization 
• Complex data migration procedure 
• Compromised data integrity 

Agility Platform 

Agility Platform is a CMS or Content Management System (CMS) that offers content control and pre-built layouts. It provides different cloud management services, including public, private, and hybrid. The Agility Platform offers multiple services with an end-to-end cloud security model. 

Features

• Layout management, Module management, and Sitemap management 
• Multi-site support and SEO fields
• Content modeling and page reviewing 
• URL routing management
• Lower cost and improved speed
• Integrated IT exosystem to SDLC

Challenges

• Lack of documentation
• Difficult measurement 
• Lack of predictability
• Not suitable for all projects 
• Poor resource planning

Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Group developed a computing alarm called Alibaba Cloud that offers a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services at the global level. It is the largest computing company in China and the Asia-Pacific region. 

It refers to service on a pay-as-you-go basis. The services may include relational databases, big-data processing, elastic computing, data storage, anti-DDoS protection, and content delivery networks (CDN).

Features

• Dominant in Asian markets
• Focused on global-level expansion
• Multiple services at competitive pricing
• Extensive service portfolio (IoT and e-commerce)
• Empowering digital collaboration
• Reliable platforms
• Security and Compliance 
• Non-stop services

Challenges

• Limited presence in certain regions in comparison to other cloud service providers, such as AWS

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Conclusion

Apart from these, many other cloud storage, app running, and management tools offer more than what meets the eye. It is, however, suggested to go for what the market trusts the most as it only works in your favor. Nevertheless, a bit of exploration never hurt anyone. Additionally, individuals seeking an in-depth understanding of cloud computing may find value in enrolling in a Post Graduate Program in Cloud Computing, which can provide specialized knowledge and skills for navigating this rapidly evolving field. It is noteworthy that with all the data we have been able to produce in these few years since the invention of the internet, it is both a boon and a bane to have the fortune of coming across the need to possess such tools.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between public and private clouds?

Here are the differences between public and private clouds.

2. How can businesses ensure data security in the cloud?

Businesses set up a string of credentials policies and rigorous access rights to ensure protection over cloud breaches.

3. What are some best practices for cost optimization in cloud computing?

You must follow the given points to optimize cost in cloud computing.

• Find unused and unattached resources
• Deeply understand the components of cloud bills
• Pick the right computing services of the right size 
• Select a cloud services provider with predictable pricing 
• Utilize the appropriate storage solutions 

4. What is the role of DevOps in cloud infrastructure management?

DevOps refers to software engineering practices that are best fit for cloud computing. In the DevOps environment, developers collaborate with IT operations and others to make the entire operation run smoothly and ensure continuous integration and delivery of tasks.