Public Cloud Market Introduction
Public cloud refers to a type of computing service where a third-party provider offers computing resources such as servers, storage, and applications over the internet. These resources are delivered to users on a pay-per-use basis, meaning that users only pay for the resources they consume. Public cloud providers own and manage the infrastructure, which can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection and a valid account.
The public cloud has become an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to access scalable computing resources without having to invest in their own infrastructure. With the public cloud, businesses can easily scale their computing resources up or down as needed, without having to worry about the costs and complexities of maintaining their own infrastructure. The public cloud has also made it possible for businesses of all sizes to access enterprise-level technology at a fraction of the cost.
Public cloud providers typically offer a range of services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). IaaS provides users with access to virtualized computing resources, such as servers and storage, while PaaS offers a platform for developing, testing, and deploying applications. SaaS allows users to access applications and software over the internet without having to download or install them on their local devices.
Some of the major public cloud providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and IBM Cloud. These providers offer a range of services and tools to help businesses manage their computing resources in the public cloud.
Public Cloud Market Size
The global public cloud market size was valued at USD 312.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 1,132.7 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 23.3% during the forecast period. The growing demand for cost-effective and scalable computing resources, as well as the increasing adoption of cloud-based technologies across various industries, are some of the key factors driving the growth of the public cloud market.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the adoption of cloud-based solutions, as businesses shifted to remote work and digital transformation. This has led to an increase in demand for cloud-based collaboration tools, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and other cloud-based solutions.
In terms of geography, North America holds the largest share of the public cloud market, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region is expected to show the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by increasing investments in cloud-based technologies by businesses in emerging economies such as China and India.
Overall, the public cloud market is expected to continue to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for cloud-based solutions and the benefits they offer in terms of scalability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility.
Public Cloud Market Share
The market share of the top public cloud providers as of Q3 2021 are as follows:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): 33%
- Microsoft Azure: 20%
- Google Cloud Platform (GCP): 10%
- Alibaba Cloud: 6%
- IBM Cloud: 5%
Other public cloud providers make up the remaining 26% of the market share.
It is worth noting that the public cloud market is highly competitive, with new players entering the market and existing providers continually improving their offerings. AWS has maintained its position as the dominant player in the public cloud market, but Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform have been steadily gaining market share in recent years. Additionally, regional cloud providers such as Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud have been growing rapidly in their respective markets.
Public Cloud Market Trends
Here are some of the major trends in the public cloud market:
- Multi-cloud adoption: Many organizations are adopting a multi-cloud strategy, using services from multiple public cloud providers to meet their specific needs. This trend is driven by the need for greater flexibility, resilience, and vendor diversity, as well as the desire to avoid vendor lock-in.
- Hybrid cloud: Hybrid cloud solutions, which combine public cloud services with on-premise infrastructure, are becoming increasingly popular as organizations seek to balance the benefits of cloud computing with the need to maintain control over their data.
- Edge computing: Edge computing, which involves processing data at the edge of the network rather than in centralized data centers, is becoming more prevalent as organizations seek to reduce latency and improve the performance of their cloud-based applications.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Public cloud providers are investing heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, which are becoming increasingly important for businesses in areas such as predictive analytics, natural language processing, and image recognition.
- Security and compliance: As the use of public cloud services grows, so does the importance of security and compliance. Public cloud providers are increasingly offering security and compliance services to help businesses meet their regulatory requirements and protect their data.
Overall, the public cloud market is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and services emerging all the time. As businesses continue to embrace cloud computing, we can expect to see further innovation and growth in this space.
Public Cloud Market Driving factors
Here are some of the major driving factors behind the growth of the public cloud market:
- Cost savings: Public cloud services can offer significant cost savings over traditional on-premise IT infrastructure, since businesses only pay for what they use and do not have to invest in expensive hardware and software.
- Scalability: Public cloud services can be scaled up or down quickly and easily, allowing businesses to adjust their computing resources to meet changing demand.
- Flexibility: Public cloud services offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing businesses to choose the services and features that best meet their needs and to switch between providers if necessary.
- Innovation: Public cloud providers are continually adding new services and features, which can help businesses to innovate and stay ahead of their competitors.
- Global reach: Public cloud services are available from providers with a global reach, allowing businesses to access computing resources from anywhere in the world.
- Digital transformation: Many businesses are undergoing digital transformation initiatives, which often involve moving their IT infrastructure to the cloud in order to improve agility and innovation.
- Remote work: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend toward remote work, which has in turn driven demand for cloud-based collaboration and productivity tools.
Overall, the public cloud market is being driven by a combination of cost savings, flexibility, innovation, and the need to support digital transformation and remote work. As businesses continue to embrace cloud computing, we can expect to see further growth in this space.
Public Cloud Market Regional Analysis
Here is a brief regional analysis of the public cloud market:
- North America: North America is the largest market for public cloud services, due to the presence of major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The region has a highly developed IT infrastructure and a strong focus on digital transformation, which has driven demand for cloud services.
- Europe: Europe is another major market for public cloud services, with countries such as the UK, Germany, and France leading the way. The region has a highly regulated business environment, which has driven demand for cloud services that meet strict compliance requirements.
- Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region is a rapidly growing market for public cloud services, due to the increasing adoption of cloud services in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The region has a large and growing middle class, which has driven demand for cloud-based services such as e-commerce and online entertainment.
- Latin America: Latin America is a relatively small market for public cloud services, but it is growing rapidly due to the increasing adoption of cloud services by businesses in the region. The region has a large and growing population, which has driven demand for cloud-based services such as social media and e-commerce.
- Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa is a relatively small market for public cloud services, but it is growing rapidly due to the increasing adoption of cloud services by businesses in the region. The region has a large and growing population, which has driven demand for cloud-based services such as e-commerce and online entertainment.
Overall, the public cloud market is growing rapidly in all regions of the world, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud services by businesses of all sizes and in all industries.
Public Cloud Market Forecasts 2030
The public cloud market is expected to continue to grow rapidly over the next decade. Here are some forecasts for the market in 2030:
- Market Size: The global public cloud market is expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, up from $350 billion in 2020.
- Adoption Rates: The adoption of public cloud services is expected to continue to increase, with more than 90% of enterprises using cloud services by 2030.
- Hybrid Cloud: The adoption of hybrid cloud solutions is expected to increase, as organizations look for ways to balance the benefits of public cloud with the security and control of private cloud.
- Industry Verticals: The adoption of cloud services is expected to continue to grow across all industries, with particular growth in healthcare, financial services, and government.
- Geographical Growth: The Asia-Pacific region is expected to see the highest growth in public cloud adoption, driven by the growth of digital economies in countries such as China and India.
- Cloud Providers: The market is expected to remain dominated by the major cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, but with increasing competition from regional providers and niche players.
Overall, the public cloud market is expected to continue to grow and evolve rapidly over the next decade, driven by the increasing demand for cloud services by businesses of all sizes and industries.
Public Cloud Market Key Industry Players
The public cloud market is dominated by a few key industry players, including:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure
- Google Cloud Platform
- IBM Cloud
- Alibaba Cloud
- Oracle Cloud
- Salesforce
- VMware Cloud
- Rackspace
- DigitalOcean
These companies offer a wide range of public cloud services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). They are also expanding their offerings to include hybrid and multi-cloud solutions, as well as specialized services for specific industries and use cases. Other smaller or regional players may also be important in specific regions or industries, but these are the major players that are driving the growth and development of the public cloud market.