Best Cloud Computing Tools in 2024

Many tools are good, but only a few are great. While it’s often said that there is no accounting for tastes, a significant portion of the Internet is dedicated to reviews and comparisons of countless products, ranging from sneakers and holiday offers to Netflix series and software, and everything in between. Why? Because we all seek the highest quality in what we purchase or engage with.

That’s why, in this article, we’re focusing on cloud computing tools. Finding such solutions is easy; a quick search engine query or help from an AI-powered chatbot can provide results in seconds. However, identifying the right solutions — the ones that meet your company’s needs, support your specific activities, and come at an attractive price — is way more challenging. So today, we’ll highlight several cloud computing tools to save you time on research. Let’s dive in.

What is a cloud computing tool?

In simple terms, cloud computing tools are software programs, platforms, or services that use cloud computing technology to provide their functionalities to users over the internet. You can make full use of these tools without having to own or maintain physical infrastructure — an internet connection is the only requirement.

Cloud solutions provide companies with such a significant advantage that they are now employed in nearly every industry. In fact, according to a survey conducted by O’Reilly, over 90% of companies worldwide are utilizing cloud computing tools in some capacity. Their popularity also explains why many organizations are now also focusing on cloud software development and creating dedicated cloud tools for use by their employees or clients.

What are cloud storage tools?

As the name suggests, cloud storage tools are software services that enable users to store, manage, and access their data remotely over the Internet. Without the need to maintain any hardware, users can scale cloud storage tools up and down to store as much data as they require.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that many cloud storage tools use encryption as an extra layer of security. This safeguards stored data through strong cryptographic algorithms and enhances protection against unauthorized access.

Are cloud tools secure?

As is often the case in such matters, the answer is: it depends. Cloud tools can be secure when they’re set up and managed correctly. This means that the cloud security level depends on factors like the quality of the provider’s infrastructure and how users implement cloud tools.

Even though reputable providers invest heavily in security, vulnerabilities can still arise from misconfigurations or human errors. Therefore, organizations must assess their specific security needs and ensure they’ve taken the right steps to secure their use of cloud-based solutions.

Types of cloud computing tools

While some argue that cloud computing has branched into numerous types over time, technically, there are still three fundamental categories that help identify the nature of a cloud service. Generally speaking, these types help clarify whether the cloud vendor offers only a part or the entire infrastructure or software. These types are:

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): In this model, you are essentially provided with an entire IT infrastructure, but in a virtualized form over the internet. This includes servers, storage space, and networking capabilities. You can think of it as renting out an entire IT setup without having to physically own or maintain any of the hardware.
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): This model simplifies application development by offering a complete platform, including tools and runtime environments, without the need to manage any infrastructure. In other words, it streamlines the development process, allowing users to focus solely on creating and deploying applications. This makes the PaaS model a fitting option for, for instance, cloud business intelligence, as it enables a more focused approach to extracting insights from collected data.
• Software as a Service (SaaS): Last but not least, this cloud type involves delivering software applications over the internet on a subscription basis. This means that users get access to these applications via a web browser, with the provider handling maintenance, updates, and security. As a result, SaaS models eliminate the need for users to install and run applications on their computers, making a particular piece of software easily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.

Top 5 cloud computing tools

The list of cloud tools provided below has been created in no particular order, meaning number one isn’t necessarily the best. Our goal here is simply to highlight five cloud solutions that, in our view (and probably many professionals in the field), excel across various scenarios and have proven highly effective over time. So, without further ado, let’s kick things off with…

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): AWS is widely regarded as the cornerstone of cloud computing, providing an extensive range of services tailored to businesses of every scale. Its reputation for scalability and reliability has made it a favored option for both startups and established enterprises. With AWS, organizations gain access to a robust infrastructure that empowers them to adapt, evolve, and thrive in the digital landscape.

2. Kubernetes: Often praised as the leading solution for container orchestration, Kubernetes transforms the way applications are deployed and managed in cloud environments. With its robust features and versatile design, it simplifies scaling and deployment across different environments, whether on-premises servers or multi-cloud setups. This flexibility means that whether you’re handling a small project or a large enterprise application, Kubernetes can streamline your operations, saving you time and effort while ensuring reliability and scalability.

3. GitHub: GitHub serves as a social hub where developers can easily manage projects, share code, and collaborate on software development. It offers advanced tools for version control, issue tracking, and code review, greatly enhancing the development workflow and fostering efficient collaboration among team members. Consequently, with GitHub, developers can accelerate project timelines and ensure the swift delivery of high-quality software.

4. Notion: Notion is a highly popular all-in-one workspace that comes with advanced yet easy-to-use project management and collaboration features. It provides customizable templates and databases, allowing you to organize and share information with other team members in line with the established workflows. Thanks to its intuitive interface and flexible design, Notion allows users to create dynamic documents, track tasks, and collaborate seamlessly, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.

5. Google App Engine: While it may be the last on our list, Google App Engine is undeniably one of the most powerful cloud tools available today. Being a fully managed platform for web application and API development and hosting, it supports multiple programming languages and provides automatic scaling, load balancing, and built-in security features. Because of its serverless architecture, developers can concentrate solely on building and deploying applications and be free from the complexities of infrastructure management. This ultimately makes it a great choice for startups and enterprises seeking to deploy applications quickly and securely.

What should be considered when selecting cloud tools for a business?

Beyond the ones covered in this article, there are many other credible cloud tools available out there that can help businesses boost their productivity. However, the key lies in identifying the most suitable ones for your company. To do so, it’s essential to assess factors like your business requirements, budget limitations, integration compatibility with current systems, and the quality of support offered by the cloud provider. By carefully evaluating these elements, you can have a better chance of choosing the cloud tools that best align with your company’s goals and objectives.

Finding the right cloud solutions may still seem like a daunting task, though. Luckily, these days, you don’t have to tackle it alone — in fact, you can have external professionals solve the problem for you. Here at Software Mind, we offer cloud consulting services to help companies identify cloud tools that match their needs, as well as the support of our cloud workforce service to implement the chosen cloud solutions. So, if you’re considering a move to the cloud, let us handle the heavy lifting and ensure a smooth transition.