Best Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software

How Many Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software Products Does G2 Track?

Total Products under this Category: 490

Category Stats (Nov 2026)

  • Average Rating: 4.35/5 The average rating of products in this category, based on all submitted ratings
  • Top Trending Product: Kamatera (+5.88%) - Among all products in this category, Kamatera recorded the largest rating increase compared to last month

Last updated: November 01, 2026

How Does G2 Rank Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software Products?

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  • 30 Analysts and Data Experts
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  • 490+ Products
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G2's software rankings are built on verified user reviews, rigorous moderation, and a consistent research methodology maintained by a team of analysts and data experts. Each product is measured using the same transparent criteria, with no paid placement or vendor influence. While reviews reflect real user experiences, which can be subjective, they offer valuable insight into how software performs in the hands of professionals. Together, these inputs power the G2 Score, a standardized way to compare tools within every category.

G2 Grid® for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software

G2 Grid® for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software plotting products by satisfaction and market presence

Highlighted products: VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), Amazon EC2, VMware vSphere, Akamai Cloud Computing, Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform), DigitalOcean, Google Compute Engine, and Azure Virtual Machines.

Underlying data: [Grid® JSON](https://www.g2.com/categories/infrastructure-as-a-service-iaas/grids.json?focus%5B%5D=vmware-cloud-foundation-vcf&focus%5B%5D=amazon-ec2&focus%5B%5D=vmware-vsphere&focus%5B%5D=akamai-cloud-computing&focus%5B%5D=acronis-cyber-protect-cloud-now-acronis-cyber-platform&focus%5B%5D=digitalocean&focus%5B%5D=google-compute-engine&focus%5B%5D=azure-virtual-machines)

VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)

VMware Cloud Foundation VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) is the industry’s first private cloud platform to deliver public cloud scale and agility with on-premises security, resilience and performance, while lowering total cost of ownership. VCF accelerates customers’ digital innovation with faster infrastructure modernization, a unified cloud experience, along with stronger cyber resilience and platform security. VMware Cloud Foundation delivers a consistent private cloud experience across ANY Environment - whether it’s a customer managed data center, edge location or any cloud endpoint. VCF supports both traditional as well as modern workloads such as containers, AI/ML workloads and brings modern applications faster to the market with self-service IaaS consumption experience for the application teams. VMware Cloud Foundation integrates leading products including vSphere (compute), vSAN (storage), NSX (networking), VCF Operations and VCF Automation into a single solution, while providing access to high-value advanced services for Application and Network Security, App Platforms, Ransomware Recovery and Private AI. Core VMware Cloud Foundation Components • VMware Cloud Foundation Infrastructure Stack: Incorporates VMware’s industry-leading solutions – virtualization and compute through vSphere for compute, storage through vSAN, and networking by NSX. • VCF Operations Fleet Management: Automate the installation, operations, and lifecycle management of the VCF stack, streamlining deployment, configuration, and updating processes. • VCF Automation Orchestration: Deliver comprehensive operations, automation, and analysis, across the full stack infrastructure platform. • VMware vSphere Kubernetes Service: Built-in Kubernetes runtime that enables enterprises to run modern applications and traditional workloads on a single platform. How VMware Cloud Foundation Works • Workload Compute Platform: At its core, VMware Cloud Foundation leverages vSphere to create and manage virtual machines and containers, providing a flexible, secure, and scalable compute platform. • Storage Optimization: By integrating vSAN into the platform, VMware Cloud Foundation offers integrated, secure, scalable storage solutions that enhance resource efficiency and reduce operational complexity. • Network Integration: Leverages NSX to provide a secure, software-defined networking layer capable of handling the dynamic needs of modern cloud- based applications using virtual private clouds (VPCs) to isolate apps and users. • Automated Provisioning and Management: VMware Cloud Foundation Automation orchestrates key operational tasks in a cloud operating model, reducing the time and complexity associated with deploying, managing, and maintaining private cloud environments. How VMware Cloud Foundation helps you solve your toughest challenges • Infrastructure Modernization: VMware Cloud Foundation plays a crucial role in transforming traditional IT infrastructures into a more agile and scalable private cloud environment. This transformation is key to enabling organizations to deploy core Private Cloud use cases that deliver strategic outcomes that lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), improved efficiency and accelerated innovation. • Application Modernization: Update and transform legacy software to meet modern business, technology and infrastructure needs. Replace outdated, monolithic applications with modern technologies like containers, microservices, APIs, AI/ML and DevOps Automation - improving scalability, performance, security and user experience. • Security Modernization: VMware Cloud Foundation provides a consistent, secure platform with the ability to extend the security architecture even further with intrusion detection and recovery, addressing key challenges such as ransomware threats, disaster scenarios, and the need for advanced security architectures.

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 694

How Do G2 Users Rate VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)?

  • Public Cloud: 7.9/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)?

  • Seller: Broadcom
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 1991
  • HQ Location: San Jose, CA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    44,602 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ: CA

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: System Administrator, System Engineer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 38% Medium, 36% Large

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the ease of use in VMware Cloud Foundation, simplifying management and improving operational efficiency.
  • Users appreciate the streamlined networking management offered by VMware Cloud Foundation, enhancing efficiency and reducing complexity.
  • Users value the centralized management and automation of VMware Cloud Foundation, streamlining complex infrastructure management effectively.
  • Users value the strong security integration of VMware Cloud Foundation, enhancing their overall infrastructure management efficiency.
  • Users value the easy integrations of VCF, enabling streamlined management and consistent performance across infra stacks.
Cons
  • Users express concern over the high costs and rising licensing fees, making VMware Cloud Foundation less accessible for smaller organizations.
  • Users find the difficult setup of VMware Cloud Foundation to be time-consuming and complex, hindering efficient adoption.
  • Users often find the complexity of VMware Cloud Foundation's setup and management daunting and time-consuming.
  • Users face a steep learning curve with VMware Cloud Foundation, making deployment and management challenging, especially for beginners.
  • Users face challenges with resource-heavy demands and inflexibility, making VMware Cloud Foundation less suitable for small businesses.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)?

Amazon EC2

AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (AWS - EC2) is a web service that provides resizable compute capacity in the cloud. It is designed to make web-scale computing easier for developers. AWS EC2۪s simple web service interface allows you to obtain and configure capacity with minimal friction. It provides you with complete control of your computing resources and lets you run on Amazon۪s proven computing environment. AWS EC2 reduces the time required to obtain and boot new server instances to minutes, allowing you to quickly scale capacity, both up and down, as your computing requirements change. AWS EC2 changes the economics of computing by allowing you to pay only for capacity that you actually use. AWS EC2 provides developers the tools to build failure resilient applications and isolate themselves from common failure scenarios.

Average Rating: 4.6/5.0

Total Reviews: 1,148

How Do G2 Users Rate Amazon EC2?

  • Public Cloud: 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.7/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Amazon EC2?

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer, DevOps Engineer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 40% Small, 35% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Amazon EC2?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users enjoy the ease of use of Amazon EC2, enabling quick scaling and flexible management of virtual servers.
  • Users value the scalability of Amazon EC2, enabling effortless adjustments to server resources as needed.
  • Users value the flexibility of Amazon EC2, enabling quick scaling and integration based on workload demands.
  • Users value the reliability and extensive features of Amazon EC2, enhancing their cloud computing experience significantly.
  • Users appreciate the flexibility and performance of Amazon EC2, benefiting from diverse instance types and seamless integration.
Cons
  • Users find the complexity of Amazon EC2 overwhelming, especially regarding instance choices and cost management.
  • Users find Amazon EC2 to be expensive, with complex pricing and unexpected charges causing frustration.
  • Users find the cost issues of AWS Cloud concerning, highlighting complex billing and higher prices compared to competitors.
  • Users struggle with pricing issues in Amazon EC2, as costs can quickly become complex and unpredictable.
  • Users find the steep learning curve of EC2 challenging, especially for beginners navigating its complex features.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Amazon EC2?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Amazon EC2?

VMware vSphere

VMware vSphere with VCF 9.1 is the enterprise workload engine that modernizes compute infrastructure with a future-ready, scalable infrastructure and simplified management that enables organizations to extract maximum value from their current server investments and hardware footprint, rather than requiring a total refresh. vSphere provides a powerful foundation for modern, AI and traditional workloads, while enabling intrinsic security out-of-the-box.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 774

How Do G2 Users Rate VMware vSphere?

  • Public Cloud: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind VMware vSphere?

  • Seller: Broadcom
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 1991
  • HQ Location: San Jose, CA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    44,602 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ: CA

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: System Administrator, Systems Administrator
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Financial Services
  • Company Size: 44% Large, 42% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About VMware vSphere?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users find VMware vSphere to be easy to use, making it accessible even without a virtualization background.
  • Users value the seamless integration and management capabilities of VMware vSphere for a complete virtualization ecosystem.
  • Users value the robust and stable features of VMware vSphere for managing critical workloads efficiently.
  • Users value the ease of management with VMware vSphere, enhancing efficiency in handling virtual environments seamlessly.
  • Users value the high reliability of VMware vSphere, enabling smooth management of virtual machines with minimal hassle.
Cons
  • Users express concern over the high cost of VMware vSphere, which poses challenges for smaller organizations.
  • Users express concerns about the licensing issues of VMware vSphere, finding it costly and complex for smaller organizations.
  • Users find the high licensing cost of VMware vSphere burdensome, particularly for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
  • Users are frustrated with the new pricing model after the Broadcom acquisition, impacting their experience with VMware vSphere.
  • Users are frustrated by the cost increase post-Broadcom acquisition, limiting long-term access for many small groups.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of VMware vSphere?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About VMware vSphere?

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Akamai Cloud Computing

Akamai Cloud Computing is a platform and broad set of distributed cloud and edge computing services to help businesses build, deploy, and manage applications and workloads on the world’s most distributed network. Akamai’s distributed cloud computing platform is designed for developers and built by developers. The platform empowers developers to build apps and APIs using open standards designed to maximize portability and avoid lock-in. With core, distributed, and edge services, developers can choose where to deploy and scale compute, data, and security services, based on business needs.

Average Rating: 4.6/5.0

Total Reviews: 391

How Do G2 Users Rate Akamai Cloud Computing?

  • Public Cloud: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Akamai Cloud Computing?

  • Seller: Akamai Technologies
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 1998
  • HQ Location: Cambridge, MA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    10,658 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ:AKAM

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer, Founder
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 67% Small, 15% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Akamai Cloud Computing?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the ease of use of Akamai Cloud Computing, enabling seamless deployment and efficient server management.
  • Users value the affordability of Akamai Cloud Computing, finding it a cost-effective solution compared to other providers.
  • Users value Akamai Cloud Computing for its ease of use and reliable performance, enhancing deployment speed and stability.
  • Users value the setup ease of Akamai Cloud Computing, finding integration and deployment processes highly simple and efficient.
  • Users highlight the easy setup process for Akamai Cloud Computing, making it a breeze to configure servers.
Cons
  • Users find the service expensive, especially when needing bulk purchases or options for hobby projects.
  • Users find the limited features of Akamai Cloud Computing restricts customization and flexibility for their needs.
  • Users find the complex setup of Akamai Cloud Computing challenging, particularly for new users navigating advanced features.
  • Users find the difficult setup process frustrating, with slow support and delays in email configuration impacting efficiency.
  • Users find missing features in Akamai Cloud Computing, wishing for more services like AI functions and improved dashboards.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Akamai Cloud Computing?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Akamai Cloud Computing?

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)

Acronis delivers the world’s most complete cyber resilience platform, combining backup, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, RMM, and business operations tools into a single, natively integrated solution. Built specifically for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT teams, Acronis simplifies operations with one agent, one console, and one license model. Automation, AI-driven insights, and multi-tenant management ensure that fewer technicians can manage more clients at lower cost. With predictable pricing and transparent billing, Acronis enables partners and IT teams to scale efficiently, comply with regulations, and deliver unmatched resilience. No other vendor delivers this level of integration, efficiency, and MSP alignment. Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform) unites backup and next-generation, AI-based anti-malware, antivirus, and endpoint protection management in one solution. Integration and automation provide unmatched ease for service providers — reducing complexity while increasing productivity and decreasing operating costs. Acronis Cyber Platform is the single service provider solution that combines backup, anti-malware (including anti-virus, anti-ransomware, and anti-cryptojacking) and security and management capabilities such as vulnerability assessments, patch management, URL filtering and more. Now, service providers can eliminate complexity and make security a centerpiece of their offerings while increasing SLAs, decreasing churn, and generating more recurring revenue. Get upgraded security with integrated AI-based defenses that protect clients from modern threats, make smarter use of resources so your team can focus on clients, and earn new recurring revenue and higher margins that strengthen your business. Enriched with next-gen, full-stack anti-malware protection and comprehensive yet simple management tools, built on top of our industry-leading backup and data recovery solution, Acronis Cyber Platform simplifies onboarding, daily operations, and reporting, and combats advanced attacks with new use cases enabled by integration. Acronis Cyber Platform makes it easy to deliver the modern cyber protection your clients seek. Acronis is majority-owned by EQT.

Average Rating: 4.7/5.0

Total Reviews: 1,467

How Do G2 Users Rate Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)?

  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)?

  • Seller: Acronis
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 2003
  • HQ Location: Schaffhausen
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    1,923 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: Acronis is majority-owned by EQT

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: CEO, Director
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer & Network Security
  • Company Size: 69% Small, 27% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the ease of use of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, enjoying centralized management of backups and protections.
  • Users appreciate the convenience of centralized backup management with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, streamlining tasks effectively.
  • Users value the ease of backup with Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, appreciating its efficiency and straightforward training.
  • Users appreciate the easy management of backups and protection features in one console, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
  • Users value the comprehensive security offered by Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, ensuring reliable data protection and quick recovery.
Cons
  • Users have noted a slow performance of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, particularly during peak usage and larger operations.
  • Users find the pricing relatively high, making it challenging to propose to customers in the African market.
  • Users find the setup and management complexity challenging, along with pricing that feels high compared to competitors.
  • Users often struggle with poor customer support, leading to confusion and frustration during setup and troubleshooting.
  • Users often face backup issues, including failures and unaccounted removals in the management portal, complicating their experience.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud (now Acronis Cyber Platform)?

DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is a cloud computing platform designed to assist businesses and developers in creating, deploying, and scaling applications efficiently. This infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) solution caters primarily to startups and growing digital enterprises, providing them with the essential tools and resources needed to establish a robust digital presence or develop innovative software products. By focusing on simplicity and user-friendliness, DigitalOcean enables users to navigate the complexities of cloud computing with ease. The target audience for DigitalOcean includes developers, entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized businesses seeking reliable cloud solutions without the overhead of managing intricate infrastructure. The platform is particularly beneficial for those who prioritize rapid deployment and scalability, allowing them to focus on their core competencies—building and enhancing their applications. DigitalOcean's offerings are tailored to meet the needs of users at various stages of their development journey, from initial project setup to full-scale production environments. Key features of DigitalOcean include its straightforward user interface, which simplifies the process of launching virtual servers, known as Droplets. Users can choose from a variety of pre-configured images, including popular programming languages and frameworks, to expedite their development process. Additionally, DigitalOcean provides managed services such as databases and Kubernetes, allowing users to offload operational tasks and concentrate on application development. The platform also emphasizes security, offering features like automated backups, monitoring, and firewalls to protect user data and applications. Another significant benefit of DigitalOcean is its strong community support and extensive documentation. Users can access a wealth of tutorials, guides, and forums that facilitate knowledge sharing and problem-solving. This community-driven approach not only enhances the user experience but also fosters collaboration among developers, enabling them to learn from one another and share best practices. By combining powerful infrastructure with a supportive ecosystem, DigitalOcean stands out as a valuable resource for those looking to innovate in the digital landscape.

Average Rating: 4.6/5.0

Total Reviews: 747

How Do G2 Users Rate DigitalOcean?

  • Public Cloud: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.0/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind DigitalOcean?

  • Seller: DigitalOcean
  • Year Founded: 2012
  • HQ Location: New York
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    2,476 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NYSE: DOCN

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer, Founder
  • Top Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
  • Company Size: 83% Small, 12% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About DigitalOcean?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users commend the ease of use of DigitalOcean, appreciating its intuitive design and straightforward setup for cloud hosting.
  • Users appreciate the cost-effective solutions of DigitalOcean, enjoying flexible payments and transparent pricing for startups.
  • Users appreciate the simplicity and intuitive interface of DigitalOcean, making cloud hosting easy and efficient for all.
  • Users appreciate the affordable pricing of DigitalOcean, making cloud hosting accessible without breaking the bank.
  • Users love the easy setup of DigitalOcean, enabling quick deployment of resources with a user-friendly interface.
Cons
  • Users find DigitalOcean to have limited features that fall short for advanced or enterprise-level needs compared to competitors.
  • Users find DigitalOcean expensive compared to competitors, wishing for more flexible pricing options to enhance value.
  • Users note a lack of detailed features and support, hindering effective use of DigitalOcean's capabilities.
  • Users find resource limitations frustrating, as they struggle with droplet caps and inadequate hardware updates.
  • Users experience limited functionality in DigitalOcean, especially regarding advanced features and detailed analytics for resource management.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of DigitalOcean?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About DigitalOcean?

Google Compute Engine

Compute Engine is Google's infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform for organizations to create and run cloud-based virtual machines.

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 875

How Do G2 Users Rate Google Compute Engine?

  • Public Cloud: 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Google Compute Engine?

  • Seller: Google
  • Year Founded: 1998
  • HQ Location: Mountain View, CA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    301,144 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ:GOOG
  • Phone: +1 (650) 253-0000

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer, Data Engineer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 35% Small, 34% Large

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Google Compute Engine?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users find the ease of use of Google Compute Engine refreshing, with intuitive controls and seamless integration.
  • Users value the scalability of Google Compute Engine, enabling quick adjustments for diverse project needs with ease.
  • Users value the easy scalability and control of Google Compute Engine for efficient application deployment and management.
  • Users value the scalability and ease of deployment in Google Compute Engine, enhancing application performance globally.
  • Users appreciate the flexibility and control of Google Compute Engine, enabling precise resource allocation and seamless integration.
Cons
  • Users find the complex pricing structure of Google Compute Engine confusing, making cost management challenging and unpredictable.
  • Users find Google Compute Engine expensive and confusing, especially with its complex pricing structure and potential for unexpected costs.
  • Users find cost management challenging due to complex pricing structures and potential for unpredictable expenses.
  • Users find the complexity of Google Compute Engine daunting, especially for newcomers navigating advanced configurations and costs.
  • Users find the learning difficulty of Google Compute Engine to be steep, posing challenges for newcomers and less experienced users.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Google Compute Engine?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Google Compute Engine?

Azure Virtual Machines

Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are scalable, on-demand computing resources provided by Microsoft Azure, enabling users to deploy and manage virtualized Windows and Linux servers in the cloud. These VMs support a wide range of workloads, from simple web applications to complex enterprise solutions, offering flexibility and control over computing resources without the need for physical hardware maintenance. Key Features and Functionality: - Diverse VM Series: Azure offers various VM series tailored to specific needs: - General Purpose (D-series, B-series): Balanced CPU-to-memory ratio, suitable for web servers and small to medium databases. - Compute Optimized (F-series): High CPU-to-memory ratio, ideal for CPU-intensive tasks like batch processing. - Memory Optimized (E-series): High memory-to-CPU ratio, designed for in-memory applications and large databases. - Storage Optimized (L-series): High disk throughput and IOPS, perfect for big data and data warehousing. - GPU-enabled (N-series): Equipped with GPUs for graphics-intensive and machine learning workloads. - Operating System Support: Azure VMs support a broad range of operating systems, including various distributions of Linux and all supported versions of Windows Server. - Scalability and Availability: Features like Virtual Machine Scale Sets allow for automatic scaling of applications, and Availability Sets ensure high availability by distributing VMs across multiple physical servers. - Integrated Security: Built-in security features include Azure Security Center for threat detection and response, and compliance with various industry standards. - Cost Management: Options like Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances and Azure Hybrid Benefit help optimize costs, while Azure Spot Virtual Machines offer significant discounts for interruptible workloads. Primary Value and Solutions Provided: Azure Virtual Machines offer businesses the ability to quickly deploy and manage scalable computing resources without the overhead of maintaining physical hardware. This flexibility allows organizations to respond rapidly to changing demands, optimize costs through various pricing options, and ensure high availability and security for their applications. By leveraging Azure VMs, users can focus on developing and running their applications while Azure handles the underlying infrastructure, leading to increased operational efficiency and agility.

Average Rating: 4.4/5.0

Total Reviews: 379

How Do G2 Users Rate Azure Virtual Machines?

  • Public Cloud: 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.9/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Azure Virtual Machines?

  • Seller: Microsoft
  • Year Founded: 1975
  • HQ Location: Redmond, Washington
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    232,750 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: MSFT
  • Phone: +1 (877) 276-2464

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer, Cloud Engineer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 36% Large, 35% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Azure Virtual Machines?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the ease of setup with Azure Virtual Machines, benefiting from flexible options and smooth integration.
  • Users value the flexibility and scalability of Azure Virtual Machines, enabling quick adjustments based on workload needs.
  • Users commend the affordable cloud storage options of Azure Virtual Machines, appreciating its safety and scalability for various needs.
  • Users value the versatile hardware configurations of Azure Virtual Machines, catering to diverse business needs and preferences.
  • Users value the flexibility of Azure Virtual Machines, enabling quick deployments and seamless integration across Azure services.
Cons
  • Users find the complexity in cost management and configuration of Azure Virtual Machines can hinder their overall experience.
  • Users report that Azure Virtual Machines can lead to high expenses, especially with bandwidth and storage requirements.
  • Users find Azure Virtual Machines costly especially when scaling, and struggle with complex pricing and management options.
  • Users find the steep learning curve of Azure Virtual Machines challenging, especially for those familiar with cloud computing.
  • Users report poor customer support, experiencing slow response times that erode trust and complicate their usage of Azure Virtual Machines.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Azure Virtual Machines?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Azure Virtual Machines?

Runpod

Runpod is the AI Developer Cloud for developers building, training, fine-tuning, and deploying AI applications. The platform brings development environments, inference endpoints, and distributed training infrastructure into one account, so teams can choose the compute model that fits each stage of their workload. Runpod serves AI and machine learning developers, infrastructure engineers, researchers, and teams bringing AI applications into production. Its platform supports experimentation with models, custom application development, and the operation of deployed workloads. The core products address different stages of that work: - Pods provide configurable cloud compute environments for model development, training, fine-tuning, and other compute-intensive tasks. Developers can use templates or their own containers and connect through tools such as SSH, JupyterLab, and VS Code. - Serverless runs application code behind endpoints. Developers package their code and dependencies in worker containers, configure compute resources and scaling settings, and send requests through an API. Workers process requests and scale according to the endpoint configuration. - Clusters provide multi-node compute for distributed training and other workloads that require multiple connected GPUs. Teams can use Clusters when a job needs resources beyond a single machine. Runpod also provides storage options for workload data, templates for common development environments, and logs and monitoring tools for operating deployments. Developers can select resources and configure their applications around model requirements, request patterns, and deployment needs. The platform uses usage-based pricing, with costs determined by the resources and services selected. Pricing, capacity, and product-specific configuration details are available through the Runpod website, console, and documentation. Teams can evaluate Pods, Serverless, and Clusters according to their development workflow and production requirements.

Average Rating: 4.6/5.0

Total Reviews: 75

How Do G2 Users Rate Runpod?

  • Public Cloud: 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Runpod?

  • Seller: Runpod
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 2022
  • HQ Location: San Francisco, US
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    121 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

  • Top Industries: Computer Software
  • Company Size: 95% Small, 7% Medium

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Runpod?

Amazon AWS Platform

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive and widely adopted cloud platform that offers over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. Since its launch in 2006, AWS has enabled millions of customers—including startups, enterprises, and government agencies—to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster. Key Features and Functionality: - Compute Power: AWS provides scalable computing capacity through services like Amazon EC2, allowing users to run applications on virtual servers tailored to their needs. - Storage Solutions: With options such as Amazon S3 and Amazon EBS, AWS offers secure, durable, and scalable storage for a variety of data types. - Database Services: AWS supports multiple database engines, including Amazon RDS for relational databases and Amazon DynamoDB for NoSQL databases, facilitating efficient data management. - Networking: Services like Amazon VPC and AWS Direct Connect enable users to create isolated networks and establish dedicated connections to the AWS cloud. - Security and Compliance: AWS emphasizes security with features like AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) and compliance certifications to meet various regulatory requirements. - Machine Learning and AI: AWS offers tools such as Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Bedrock to build, train, and deploy machine learning models at scale. - Analytics: With services like Amazon Redshift and Amazon QuickSight, AWS provides powerful analytics capabilities to process and visualize data. Primary Value and Solutions: AWS empowers organizations to modernize operations, drive innovation, and secure their data by offering a broad set of cloud-based products that help them move faster, lower IT costs, and scale applications. By leveraging AWS's extensive global infrastructure and industry-leading security, businesses can focus on their core competencies while AWS manages the underlying technology. This approach enables companies to respond swiftly to market changes, experiment with new ideas, and deliver value to their customers more efficiently.

Average Rating: 4.7/5.0

Total Reviews: 81

How Do G2 Users Rate Amazon AWS Platform?

  • Public Cloud: 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Amazon AWS Platform?

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Computer Software
  • Company Size: 38% Small, 38% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Amazon AWS Platform?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the cost-effective pricing of AWS, enabling flexible scaling without large upfront investments.
  • Users value the top-notch customer support from Amazon AWS Platform, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
  • Users value the free services offered by Amazon AWS, which enhance accessibility for startups and tech enthusiasts.
  • Users value the flexible scalability of Amazon AWS, enabling growth without significant upfront investment in hardware.
  • Users value the unmatched variety of AWS services, which enhances flexibility and scaling for businesses of all sizes.
Cons
  • Users find the billing issues challenging, especially with the complex pricing and potential for surprise charges.
  • Users find the Management Console overwhelming, especially with its complex pricing structure causing confusion for beginners.
  • Users find the overwhelming choices in AWS challenging, especially with its complex pricing and management console for beginners.
  • Users find the unexpected costs due to complex pricing structures can lead to surprise bills if not monitored.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Amazon AWS Platform?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About Amazon AWS Platform?

Google Cloud TPU

Cloud TPU empowers businesses everywhere to access this accelerator technology to speed up their machine learning workloads on Google Cloud

Average Rating: 4.5/5.0

Total Reviews: 33

How Do G2 Users Rate Google Cloud TPU?

  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Google Cloud TPU?

  • Seller: Google
  • Year Founded: 1998
  • HQ Location: Mountain View, CA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    301,144 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ:GOOG
  • Phone: +1 (650) 253-0000

Who Uses This Product?

  • Company Size: 42% Small, 36% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Google Cloud TPU?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users find Google Cloud TPU to be highly effective and easy to work with, enhancing their project experience efficiently.
  • Users value the massive scalability of Google Cloud TPU, enhancing performance for large-scale AI workloads effortlessly.
  • Users admire the high-speed training and seamless integration of Google Cloud TPU for efficient deep learning workloads.
  • Users value the seamless integration of Google Cloud TPU with models like TensorFlow and PyTorch, enhancing their workflows.
  • Users appreciate the strong performance for large-scale machine learning training, making workloads faster and easier to manage.
Cons
  • Users find the difficult learning curve and complexities of Google Cloud TPU challenging, especially for beginners.
  • Users find Google Cloud TPU to be expensive, particularly for smaller projects and long-running training jobs.
  • Users face a complex setup with Google Cloud TPU, making it challenging for teams familiar with GPUs.
  • Users find the limited diversity of supported frameworks on Google Cloud TPU restrictive for broader projects.
  • Users report a steep learning curve with Google Cloud TPU, particularly for those accustomed to GPUs and existing tools.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Google Cloud TPU?

UltaHost

UltaHost is a leader in fast Hosting solutions for mission-critical sites & apps. Own your stable VPS or Dedicated hosting to get a smooth operation. UltaHost is a high-performance web hosting platform that assists you in getting fast, stable, and safe websites for any type of digital project, whether eCommerce shop, blog, company portfolio, agency marketing, media, and content publishing, social networking, or small or mid-sized business. It provides shared, cheap VPS (virtual private server), VDS (virtual dedicated server), and cheap dedicated hosting solutions for companies, businesses, and individuals to make their projects successful.

Average Rating: 4.9/5.0

Total Reviews: 440

How Do G2 Users Rate UltaHost?

  • Public Cloud: 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind UltaHost?

  • Seller: UltaHost
  • Year Founded: 2019
  • HQ Location: Middletown, Delaware
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    104 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Web Developer, Content Writer
  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Marketing and Advertising
  • Company Size: 92% Small, 13% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About UltaHost?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users find UltaHost's ease of use exceptional, making it suitable for both technical and non-technical individuals.
  • Users value the reliable uptime and support of UltaHost, enjoying seamless performance for their websites.
  • Users highlight the reliability of Ultahost's support and uptime, ensuring smooth operations for their projects.
  • Users value UltaHost for its reliable VPS performance and user-friendly dashboard, making website management effortless.
  • Users praise UltaHost for its remarkable performance speed and stability, ensuring seamless operations even under heavy load.
Cons
  • Users note the high cost of UltaHost products, which can be a concern despite occasional discounts.
  • Users face technical issues like delayed log visibility and a complicated initial server setup affecting their experience.
  • Users find some products from UltaHost to be overpriced, with expectations of better renewal pricing and storage options.
  • Users express concern over higher renewal rates that exceed initial pricing expectations, impacting overall satisfaction with UltaHost.
  • Users find the pricing of UltaHost to be high, suggesting a need for more flexible payment options and plans.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of UltaHost?

Deep Learning VM Image

Deep Learning VM Images are pre-configured virtual machine images optimized for data science and machine learning tasks. These images come with essential machine learning frameworks and tools pre-installed, enabling users to deploy and scale machine learning models efficiently on Google Cloud's infrastructure. Key Features and Functionality: - Pre-installed Frameworks: Support for TensorFlow Enterprise, TensorFlow, PyTorch, and generic high-performance computing, catering to various machine learning needs. - Operating System Options: Based on Debian 11 and Ubuntu 22.04, providing flexibility and compatibility with different environments. - Comprehensive Python Environment: Includes Python 3.10 with a suite of libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, Pandas, NLTK, Pillow, scikit-image, OpenCV, and scikit-learn, facilitating a robust development experience. - JupyterLab Integration: Offers JupyterLab notebook environments for rapid prototyping and interactive development. - GPU Acceleration: Equipped with the latest NVIDIA drivers and packages, including CUDA 11.x and 12.x, CuDNN, and NCCL, to leverage GPU capabilities for accelerated computation. Primary Value and User Solutions: Deep Learning VM Images streamline the setup process for machine learning projects by providing ready-to-use environments with pre-installed frameworks and tools. This reduces the time and effort required for configuration, allowing data scientists and machine learning practitioners to focus on model development and experimentation. The integration with Google Cloud's scalable infrastructure ensures that users can efficiently manage and scale their machine learning workloads, whether they require CPU or GPU resources. Regular updates and community support further enhance the reliability and performance of these VM images, making them a valuable resource for accelerating machine learning initiatives.

Average Rating: 4.3/5.0

Total Reviews: 68

How Do G2 Users Rate Deep Learning VM Image?

  • Public Cloud: 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind Deep Learning VM Image?

  • Seller: Google
  • Year Founded: 1998
  • HQ Location: Mountain View, CA
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    301,144 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ:GOOG
  • Phone: +1 (650) 253-0000

Who Uses This Product?

  • Who Uses This: Software Engineer
  • Top Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
  • Company Size: 47% Small, 36% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About Deep Learning VM Image?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users appreciate the ease of setup with Deep Learning VM Image, enabling quick initiation of machine learning tasks.
  • Users value the easy setup of Deep Learning VM Image, enabling quick start for deep learning tasks.
  • Users love the pre-installed ML frameworks and tools, which simplify setup and enhance deep learning project efficiency.
  • Users love the easy integrations of Deep Learning VM Image with Google Cloud, simplifying their workflow and saving time.
  • Users value the easy setup of Deep Learning VM Image, allowing for quick environment configuration for deep learning tasks.
Cons
  • Users express concerns about the high costs associated with the Deep Learning VM Image, impacting their budgets significantly.
  • Users find the high costs of Deep Learning VM Image to be a significant drawback compared to general-purpose options.
  • Users note the steep learning curve of Deep Learning VM Image, finding it overwhelming for newcomers.
  • Users find the difficult learning curve overwhelming, particularly for beginners without large datasets or user-friendly interfaces.
  • Users report feeling the impact of unnecessary dependencies that bloat the Deep Learning VM Image, leading to inefficiency.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of Deep Learning VM Image?

CoreWeave

CoreWeave is a modern cloud infrastructure empowering creators, innovators, and tomorrow's world changers with access to the GPU resources they need to work more efficiently.

Average Rating: 4.4/5.0

Total Reviews: 21

How Do G2 Users Rate CoreWeave?

  • Public Cloud: 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.4/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 7.7/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 6.7/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind CoreWeave?

  • Seller: CoreWeave
  • Year Founded: 2017
  • HQ Location: New York, US
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    2,783 employees on LinkedIn®
  • Ownership: NASDAQ:CRWV

Who Uses This Product?

  • Company Size: 62% Small, 24% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About CoreWeave?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users love the affordability of CoreWeave, enjoying exceptionally low prices for powerful GPU resources.
  • Users value the ease of use with CoreWeave, enjoying quick power management of virtual servers.
  • Users appreciate the fast and cost-effective GPU services offered by CoreWeave, enhancing their virtual server experience.
  • Users praise the extremely fast power on/off of virtual servers and low GPU prices of CoreWeave.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of CoreWeave?

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a secure, adaptable and easy-to-manage Linux server platform that allows developers and administrators to deploy business-critical workloads on-premises, in the cloud and at the edge. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is an operating system that is adaptable to any environment – optimized for performance, security and reliability. Security – Championing a secure supply chain Stay ahead of cyberattacks with advanced supply chain security and confidential computing. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is certified and compliant at the highest levels including CC EAL4+. Agility – Bridging to the cloud-native world Foster developer agility with capabilitites that are built to increase productivity. This includes a preconfigured Cloud Images, secure Base Container Images to build your own containers and a solid foundation for your Rancher Kubernetes (RKE2 / K3S) clusters. Resilience – Making innovating enterprise ready Innovate everywhere from cutting-edge hardware to the public cloud. This includes filesystem Snapshots with BTRFS, cloud innovations like support for Arm64 server instances in Azure or AWS, chipset innovations like NVIDIA open GPU kernel module, and hardware platforms from Dell, Fujitsu and HPE.

Average Rating: 4.6/5.0

Total Reviews: 67

How Do G2 Users Rate SUSE Linux Enterprise Server?

  • Public Cloud: 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10)
  • Virtual Machines (VMs): 9.5/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
  • Hybrid Cloud: 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.3/10)

Who Is the Company Behind SUSE Linux Enterprise Server?

  • Seller: SUSE
  • Company Website:
  • Year Founded: 1992
  • HQ Location: Nürnberg, DE
  • LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
    2,718 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

  • Top Industries: Information Technology and Services, Telecommunications
  • Company Size: 47% Large, 29% Medium

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About SUSE Linux Enterprise Server?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros
  • Users value the reliability of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, appreciating its stability and consistent performance in standard use.
  • Users value the excellent customer support of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, appreciating the quick and knowledgeable assistance.
  • Users find SUSE Linux Enterprise Server easy to deploy and manage, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
  • Users highlight the stability of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, ensuring reliable performance in standard use cases.
  • Users commend the easy setup of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, making deployment and management hassle-free.
Cons
  • Users note the outdated content in SUSE Linux repositories, causing delays in accessing the latest package versions.
  • Users face dependency issues with third-party products as not all vendors support the SUSE Linux family.
  • Users find the licensing costs too high compared to alternatives, impacting their overall satisfaction with SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
  • Users find the licensing costs to be higher than alternatives, which may impact their overall satisfaction.
  • Users report limited OS compatibility with SUSE Linux, affecting support from third-party vendors and documentation quality.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server?

What Are G2 Users Discussing About SUSE Linux Enterprise Server?

Rachana Hasyagar
RH
Researched and written by Rachana Hasyagar
Updated May 18, 2026

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Topics

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Learn More About Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Software

What is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

Infrastructure as a service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that outsources IT infrastructure. IaaS providers purchase and manage expensive, physical computing resources while providing a wide range of cloud services in return. Companies essentially rent out the provider’s processing power to virtualize servers, store data, and facilitate network traffic.

IaaS offerings allow businesses to create and utilize virtual hardware tools without buying, building, or hosting them. These tools are provided externally as virtualized servers, databases, or bandwidth, as well as other tools.

What Does IaaS Stand For?

IaaS stands for infrastructure as a service. The products deliver virtualized infrastructure deployed on the physical resources of a cloud services provider. They deliver these virtualized solutions in the form of a managed service, hence it is called infrastructure “as a service.”

What Types of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Exist?

It is common for IT departments to use a patchwork of IaaS solutions to manage web applications across multiple environments. However, this complex architecture needs to be evaluated constantly to maintain efficiency and meet business goals. Deciding between using public, private, or hybrid clouds usually comes down to performance and cost.

Public cloud

Public clouds are the most cost-effective route when choosing an IaaS provider, as they allow businesses to reduce upfront spending on hardware and maintenance costs. Technical benefits of public cloud options include scalability, reliability, and broader feature sets. Public cloud options are popular among startups and small businesses; however, they may not be the best fit for businesses operating in industries regulated by data security laws (HIPAA, PCI, etc.).

Private cloud

Private clouds offer better security and compatibility for legacy web applications, as well as an easier migration process than public clouds. Private clouds can be housed in onsite data centers; however, most mid-market to enterprise-level businesses that use private clouds opt to use third-party IaaS service providers. Private clouds are popular among businesses in industries such as finance, healthcare, and commerce, where data security is held to a higher standard than in other industries.

Hybrid cloud

Hybrid clouds provide a combination of the two options mentioned above. Hybrid clouds are popular among large enterprises and other businesses looking to find common ground between security and cost. This approach to IaaS allows businesses to process certain parts of a web application in a public cloud while storing and processing confidential data in a private cloud. 

What are the Common Features of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

The following are some core features within IaaS that can help users build, deploy, and manage cloud services:

Virtual machines (VMs): IaaS software provides virtualized networks, applications, and operating systems. These solutions deliver emulated tools using the provider’s physical resources. VMs expand a user’s access to operating systems and host environments without requiring expensive hardware.

Storage management: IaaS software provides management tools for data storage, database configuration, and scaling. These solutions give users access to a variety of databases and cloud storage applications that scale as use increases. Cloud-based storage can become especially important for preventing data loss.

Networking: IaaS software lets users provision networks, deliver content, balance loads, and manage traffic. Networking features allow users to choose how data is connected and networks are communicating.

Cloud migration: IaaS software allows data and VM transfers during adoption and maintenance. Digital transformation has caused many businesses to shift from on-premises infrastructure to cloud-based solutions. Cloud migration tools simplify and expedite the process of transferring systems to the cloud.

Analytics: IaaS software lets users analyze storage, performance, and connectivity. Analytics features can help optimize performance for users by managing traffic and resource allocation. Some IaaS solutions also have big data analytics features to help users process enormous data sets.

Maintenance: IaaS software enables maintenance to existing VMs to improve functionality and security. Maintenance features help users centralize control over their users, their endpoints, and the VMs they access.

Database management: IaaS software supports managing different types of databases and integration methods. Database support can give users access to cloud databases and sync them to facilitate live updates.

What are the Benefits of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

Outsourced infrastructure: IaaS solutions can be a great fit for all businesses. For example, small businesses can avoid the costly process of building or buying in-house software solutions by using IaaS solutions. These tools can require heavy maintenance but are managed by the service provider rather than the small business. Instead of hosting the tools onsite, they are distributed through multiple data centers and maintained by the IaaS provider.

Scaling: IaaS solutions are ideal for growing businesses. They are highly scalable and are offered on a pay-per-use basis. This means that companies don’t have to worry about surprises in cost. As the company grows and utilizes an existing plan, they are already presented with the price for additional usage.

Flexibility: Small businesses with limited physical resources can subscribe to an IaaS solution and multiply their potential infrastructure. New, larger databases allow companies to use scalable storage solutions. Virtual desktops enable customers to utilize products across any platform. Companies are also provided with as much bandwidth as they need.

Outsourced management: If a company has limited staff or time, they can also benefit from the automation of multiple tasks. This includes IT administrative duties, deployments, application monitoring, and others (depending on the provider). Providers control resources to optimize a company’s services or an application’s productivity.

Application lifecycle management: Tech companies developing new software can benefit from IaaS solutions significantly during the development and testing phases. Application hosting and testing can be much cheaper through remote servers than through self-hosting. Users are able to test and deploy a tool multiple times without requiring in-house servers. They can then either keep an application hosted remotely or deploy it on in-house resources once the application is ready to be made publicly available.

What are the Alternatives to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)?

Alternatives to IaaS can replace this type of software, either partially or completely:

Managed hosting providers: Managed hosting is essentially the precursor to IaaS. These providers will offer servers, VMs, and other hosting services on a smaller scale. IaaS offers a wider variety of services and a higher maximum performance and scalability threshold.

Virtual private servers (VPS) providers:  Both VPS and IaaS can be used to create individual servers, but IaaS has a significantly larger scope. IaaS operates with pay-per-use pricing and in many cases can virtualize entire data centers. 

Virtual private cloud (VPC) software: IaaS and VPC solutions both rely on third-party infrastructure and shared, fixed resources, but most VPC offerings can manage numerous servers and VMs to build their own cloud services rather than a single VPC.  VPC is often offered by IaaS providers, but isolates services from customers, improving control and security for the customer. 

Software Related to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Related solutions that can be used together with IaaS include:

Cloud platform as a service (PaaS): IaaS is typically considered the most bare bones offering model for cloud-based solutions. IaaS provides a wider range of functionality and customization compared to PaaS and software as a service (SaaS) offerings. IaaS delivers computing power and management capabilities, while PaaS and SaaS provide a range of prebuilt tools and applications.

Challenges with Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Security and compliance: During the evaluation process, the buyer will need to take into consideration the data they plan on processing in the IaaS solution. Sensitive data such as intellectual property, medical records, and payment information require strict security controls. As regulations like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) dictate how confidential data is stored and transferred, businesses governed by these will have to make sure their IaaS provider can meet these standards.

Existing infrastructure: Businesses with existing cloud infrastructure will have to consider the cost and effort necessary to migrate to or integrate with a new cloud solution. While migrating to a private cloud can be easier for businesses with existing infrastructure, public clouds offer broader feature sets and lower costs. Furthermore, several IaaS providers offer entire ecosystems around their solutions which can also influence buying decisions.

How to Buy Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

The first step to purchasing an IaaS solution is to outline the options. Companies should include the dominant cloud computing service providers, but also explore alternatives with additional features, services, and integrations. Additional considerations should also include costs, staffing limitations, and required services. 

Compare Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Products

Create a long list

Once the requirements are outlined, buyers should rank the tools by priority and identify the ones with as many of the features that fit the budget window. It is recommended to restrict the list to products with desired features, pricing, data center locations, and deployment methods to identify a dozen or so options. 

Create a short list

Once the long list is limited to affordable products with the desired features, it’s time to search for third-party validation. At this point, for each tool, the buyer must analyze end-user reviews and analyst reports. Combining these specified factors should help rank options and eliminate poorly performing products.  

Conduct demos

With the list narrowed down to three to five possible products, businesses can reach out to vendors and schedule demos. This will help to get first-hand experience with the product, ask targeted questions, and gauge the vendors quality of service. 

Selection of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Providers

Choose a selection team

To choose a selection team, decision makers need to involve subject matter experts from all teams that will use the system. For IaaS software, this primarily involves IT managers, developers, and security staff. Any manager or department-level leader should also include individuals managing any solution the backup product will be integrating with. 

Negotiation

Depending on the maturity of the business, the seniority of the negotiation team may vary. It is advisable to include relevant directors or managers in the security and IT departments as well as from any other cross-functional departments that may be impacted.

Final decision

If the company has a chief technology officer, that individual will likely make the decision.  If not, companies must trust their security professionals’ ability to use and understand the product. 

What Does Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Cost?

IaaS offerings are virtually all priced using the pay-per-use model. This means companies can pick and choose which services they would like to utilize and pay only for those services. The cost is typically determined by the kind of services a customer is licensing and how much computing capacity they use. Additionally, services may be available for companies to purchase future, scheduled services, or ad-hoc instances, or both. Some providers also include volume-based discounts for high-scale usage and packaged discounts that include numerous services. 

Return on Investment (ROI)

ROI for IaaS is typically determined by the cost of adoption relative to the cost of purchasing and managing in-house, on-premises infrastructure. The former will be faster and cheaper, as it requires no physical implementation or perpetual maintenance staffing. The latter, on-premises infrastructure will cost more upfront, but ROI will still depend on the staff available and the long-term scaling plans.