In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud computing, businesses are increasingly turning to hybrid cloud solutions to streamline operations across multiple platforms. This comprehensive guide explores the top 12 hybrid cloud providers, offering a detailed analysis of each solution’s features and integrations.
Google Anthos – Best for Google Cloud integration
Why Google Anthos? Google Anthos stands out for its seamless integration with Google Cloud, leveraging the power of Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) for container orchestration. Anthos enables the deployment of hybrid applications across various on-premises and cloud environments.
Standout Features:
- Anthos Config Management ensures security, usage, and configuration policies are consistently enforced;
- Native integrations with AWS and Microsoft Azure through Anthos Multi-Cloud API;
- Pricing starts from $6/vCPU/monthly, with a free 90-day trial period.
Pros:
- Integration with Google Cloud, on-premises servers, and other major clouds;
- GKE clusters ensure consistent performance, security, and governance;
- Automated policy and security enforcement.
Cons:
- Complicated price structure;
- Intimidating setup process.
IBM Cloud Solutions – Best for application migration and modernization
IBM’s approach to migrating and modernizing applications sets it apart. Utilizing the IBM Garage Methodology, businesses can seamlessly modernize applications and align them with user expectations.
Standout Features:
- AI-driven automation at the edge for faster insights and response times;
- Robust security features, including IBM Cloud App ID for securing hybrid applications with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign-On.
Pros:
- Easy migration and modernization of legacy applications;
- Consulting services accelerate digital transformation;
- Strong security and compliance features.
Cons:
- Complicated price structure;
- Intimidating for newcomers.
AWS Outposts – Best for AWS integration
AWS Outposts offers a managed device allowing businesses to extend AWS services and infrastructure to on-premises or edge locations. It provides the flexibility to access AWS services locally without committing to full cloud migration.
Standout Features:
- Available as a rack and server, offering on-premise private cloud capabilities;
- Native integration with on-premises infrastructure to the AWS Region.
Pros:
- On-premise private cloud capabilities;
- Low latency and compliance with data residency needs;
- Flexible purchase models.
Cons:
- Can be expensive based on required features;
- Suited for businesses maintaining local processes.
Microsoft Azure – Best for hybrid and multi-cloud management
Microsoft Azure excels in hybrid and multi-cloud management, offering a single control panel to manage servers, Kubernetes clusters, and applications across various environments.
Standout Features:
- Azure VMware Solution for migrating VMware-based workloads to Azure;
- Access to the full Microsoft Azure portfolio, including Azure Stack, Visual Studio, and Azure DevOps.
Pros:
- Seamless hybrid and multi-cloud management;
- Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model;
- Access to a comprehensive Microsoft product ecosystem.
Cons:
- Complex pricing structure;
- Potential high costs for SMEs.
SolarWinds Hybrid Cloud Observability – Best for hybrid cloud monitoring and optimization
SolarWinds Hybrid Cloud Observability provides deep insight into the operational status of cloud environments, offering real-time monitoring and optimization capabilities.
Standout Features:
- Intelligent Maps for identifying issues and forming contextual relationships;
- Network Path Analysis for generating network paths to critical applications and services.
Pros:
- Real-time hybrid and multi-cloud environment monitoring;
- Support for AWS, Azure, and GCP;
- Effective visuals for activity levels and issue identification.
Cons:
- Bundling with other SolarWinds products can be expensive;
- May be unnecessary for simpler hybrid cloud models.
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Alibaba Cloud Hybrid Cloud – Best for application elastic scaling
Alibaba Cloud Hybrid Cloud stands out for its exceptional elastic scaling capabilities, offering over 50 full-stack product portfolios and seamless scalability for businesses.
Standout Features:
- L2 VLAN/VSLAN isolation for security and compliance;
- Integration of over 50 Alibaba products, including Hybrid Backup Recovery (HBR).
Pros:
- Over 50 full-stack capabilities and 10,000 servers included;
- Easily scalable with strong reliability and security;
- Native integrations for Alibaba cloud services.
Cons:
- Potentially expensive for small businesses;
- May offer more capabilities than needed.
VMware Hybrid Cloud – Best hybrid cloud partner integrations
VMware Hybrid Cloud stands out for its strong partner integrations, allowing businesses to seamlessly migrate on-premises VMware workloads to partner cloud services while retaining native VMware tools.
Standout Features:
- VMware Aria for hybrid cloud unification and risk management;
- Native integrations with major cloud providers like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and AWS.
Pros:
- Partnered solutions for major cloud providers;
- Retention of native VMware tools in any environment;
- Seamless transfer of existing workloads.
Cons:
- Premium pricing plans;
- Longer setup process.
Nutanix Cloud Manager – Best for cloud cost governance
Nutanix Cloud Manager specializes in complex hybrid cloud management, offering intelligent operations, self-service, and robust cost and security governance in one unified platform.
Standout Features:
- NCM Cost Governance for monitoring and automating private cloud spending;
- NCM Intelligent Operations for anticipating capacity trends through machine learning algorithms.
Pros:
- Cloud cost governance for spending control;
- Intelligent operations for automated error detection and optimization;
- User-friendly self-service platform.
Cons:
- Unclear pricing structure;
- Occasional slow performance.
Hitachi Vantara – Best for automating hybrid cloud
Hitachi Vantara’s hybrid IT and cloud operations leverage self-driving capabilities to automate cloud orchestration tasks, providing complete visibility across cloud environments.
Standout Features:
- Self-driving service for automated cloud management, compliance, and cost control;
- EverFlex for quick scalability on a pay-per-use model.
Pros:
- Advanced automation for streamlined cloud management;
- Flexible pay-per-use model;
- Strong community and customer support.
Cons:
- Lack of clear pricing structure;
- Complex setup process.
Oracle Cloud – Best volume of hybrid cloud services
Oracle Cloud stands out for offering a vast array of over 100 cloud services, accessible through Oracle Cloud@Customer, providing all necessary hardware and software for a tailored data center.
Standout Features:
- Roving Edge Infrastructure for deploying cloud workloads outside of data centers;
- Over 100 native integrations and pre-built integrations for major partners.
Pros:
- More than 100 Oracle Cloud services included;
- Roving Edge Infrastructure for faster insights through edge computing;
- Free trial period available.
Cons:
- Complicated pricing structure;
- Unintuitive UI and occasional sluggish performance.
Cisco+ Hybrid Cloud – Best for hybrid cloud visibility
Cisco+ Hybrid Cloud offers comprehensive visibility into hybrid cloud environments through a user-friendly dashboard, displaying real-time trends, patterns, and alerts for resource allocation and spending anomalies.
Standout Features:
- Clear dashboard for monitoring performance metrics and spending;
- Cisco Commerce for easy browsing of buying options and cost estimation.
Pros:
- Easy-to-read dashboard for performance and spending metrics;
- Intuitive Cisco marketplace and cost estimation tools;
- Flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model.
Cons:
- Limited products with free trial periods;
- Feature-rich for potentially small businesses.
Cycloid – Best for hybrid cloud governance
Cycloid is a hybrid cloud management platform emphasizing powerful governance capabilities through the InfraPolicies system, ensuring consistent policy enforcement for proposed changes.
Standout Features:
- InfraPolicies system for assessing and enforcing governance policies;
- Predefined Stacks for simplified cloud management with zero vendor lock-in.
Pros:
- Powerful cloud governance capabilities;
- Predefined hybrid cloud stacks for easy setup;
- Clear and easy-to-follow price structure.
Cons:
- Limited features compared to major players;
- Clunky step-by-step installation guide.
Other Recommended Hybrid Cloud Solutions
For businesses seeking additional options, here are ten more recommended hybrid cloud solutions offering diverse features and capabilities:
- Equinix – Best for simplifying hybrid cloud management;
- Otava – Best for personalized hybrid cloud solutions;
- Dell Technologies – Best for consistent workloads across private and public clouds;
- Lumen – Best for edge environments;
- NetApp – Best for cloud data protection;
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) – Best for solving complex hybrid cloud challenges;
- Pure Storage – Best for simplifying Kubernetes storage;
- TruGrid – Best security solution for private and public clouds;
- phoenixNAP – Best for cloud computing scalability;
- DXC Technology – Best for industry expertise.
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How I Chose the 12 Best Hybrid Cloud Solutions
In selecting the top 12 hybrid cloud solutions, the following criteria were rigorously applied:
Core Functionality:
- Distribute data and resources across private and public clouds, edge computing, and on-premises environments;
- Monitor hybrid or multi-cloud environments through a unified dashboard;
- Implement automated daily cloud backups and provisions for customized disaster recovery.
Key Features:
- Budget management for proactive spending control;
- Policy governance for automated compliance and guardrails;
- App building and deployment capabilities;
- Identity-based security for a seamless user experience.
Usability:
- Positive user experience with accessible onboarding processes;
- Clean and easy-to-navigate UIs for consistent desktop and mobile experiences.
Integrations:
- Native or third-party integrations with major cloud service providers such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and VMware.
Conclusion
The hybrid cloud strategy has become the preferred approach for businesses, with 82% of IT leaders adopting this model. Businesses can benefit from deploying and managing modern SaaS applications, securely storing and sharing data, and collaborating seamlessly across hybrid cloud environments.
The diverse range of hybrid cloud solutions presented in this guide offers businesses the flexibility to choose the platform that aligns with their unique requirements.
Whether focusing on seamless integration, cost governance, or advanced automation, adopting a hybrid cloud solution can significantly enhance business operations in today’s dynamic digital landscape.