Cloud computing has become the backbone of modern businesses, but managing cloud resources can quickly get complicated—especially when you’re using multiple cloud providers at once. That’s why cloud management platforms (CMPs) have become essential tools. They help companies organize, monitor, and optimize their cloud environments all in one place, saving both time and money.
The need for these platforms is growing fast. According to a recent report, 94% of businesses now rely on cloud services, and 76% use more than one cloud provider, which makes cloud operations more complex. In 2024 alone, global spending on cloud services hit around USD 679 billion, and it’s expected to surpass USD 1 trillion by 2028. What’s even more interesting is that about 60% of organizations admit they waste cloud budgets because of poor visibility and a lack of proper management tools.
In this article, we’re breaking down the 15 best cloud management platforms that can help businesses of all sizes stay on top of their cloud operations. We’ll explain what makes each platform stand out, list key features, and give you pricing and website details so you can make a smart choice.
Most Important Advantages of Cloud Management Platforms
- Centralized Control: Manage all cloud services and resources from a single dashboard, making operations smoother and more organized.
- Improved Security: Enforce security policies and monitor compliance to protect sensitive data across different cloud environments.
- Cost Efficiency: Track cloud spending in real-time and identify ways to cut unnecessary costs or optimize resource use.
- Faster Deployment: Automate the setup of cloud resources, allowing teams to deploy new projects quickly and consistently.
- Better Performance Monitoring: Keep an eye on the health and performance of applications to ensure everything runs reliably.
Common Challenges in Cloud Management
- Complex Multi-Cloud Environments: Managing different providers and tools can be confusing without the right system in place.
- Uncontrolled Cloud Spending: Without clear visibility, costs can spiral out of control, especially with pay-as-you-go services.
- Security Risks: Weak security controls, including poor privileged access management, can lead to data breaches or compliance violations if not properly handled.
- Lack of Automation: Manual processes slow down development and increase the risk of errors in cloud setups.
- Integration Issues: Some cloud tools may not work well with existing systems, making full automation or visibility harder to achieve.
List of Top Cloud Management Platforms
1. ServiceNow Cloud Management
The ServiceNow Cloud Management solution represents an advanced implementation of ServiceNow IT Operations which optimizes multi-cloud environment management. The interface unifies management tasks for provisioning service and governance together with cost control features which simplifies cloud operation integration into existing ITSM systems. Through its capabilities of automated cloud resource management coupled with approval systems ServiceNow accelerates deliveries by cutting down manual work.
The core strength of ServiceNow Cloud Management emerges from complete integration within the ServiceNow platform to deliver unified workflows with incident management and compliance tracking. The system enables organizations to build standard operating procedures as well as track cloud resource usage while properly handling security hazards across the entire system. ServiceNow Cloud Management has special appeal for businesses that already operate ServiceNow for IT functions.
Top Features:
- Unified service catalog
- Automated provisioning and lifecycle management
- Compliance and governance controls
- Integration with ITSM/CMDB
- Cloud cost optimization
Website: https://www.servicenow.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing; available through ServiceNow sales.
2. Scalr
Scalr stands as a governance-oriented cloud management platform that achieves multi-cloud environment management through policy-driven control systems. Scalr achieves its main function by supplying developers with flexible workflow features together with administrative oversight capabilities which help managers maintain control over costs and security and compliance needs. Through a hierarchical system Scalr permits organizations to implement global policies that still enable autonomous team operations.
Scalr uses private cloud deployment techniques and the AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platforms. Cost forecasting together with reporting functionality within Scalr proves valuable because it delivers comprehensive cloud expense data and spending patterns. Organizations requiring decentralized cloud operations with control can rely on Scalr as their selected platform.
Top Features:
- Policy-as-code governance
- Hierarchical account structure
- Cost reporting and optimization
- Multi-cloud orchestration
- Self-service portal
Website: https://www.scalr.com
Pricing: Subscription-based; contact Scalr for a quote.
3. Red Hat CloudForms
IT teams leverage Red Hat CloudForms to automate cloud management across private virtual systems along with public open-source systems and private cloud deployments. CloudForms operates through open-source foundations which enables management of specific platforms that include OpenStack and VMware and also AWS and Azure. Organizations that value flexibility together with transparency select this solution because of its powerful automation and policy enforcement features.
CloudForms provides exceptional capabilities in resource discovery as well as capacity planning and security compliance features. The solution gives IT administrators the ability to maintain strict governance through role-based access and detailed analytics yet enable agile operations. The enterprise value of this platform grows through its integration with the Red Hat open-source environment especially for organizations that use existing Red Hat solutions.
Top Features:
- Hybrid cloud resource management
- Automated provisioning and retirement
- Policy enforcement and compliance
- Role-based access controls
- Integration with Ansible automation
Website: https://www.redhat.com/
Pricing: Subscription-based; contact Red Hat sales.
4. Cisco CloudCenter Suite
The Cisco CloudCenter Suite provides a system that simplifies cloud environment deployment management for applications across various infrastructures. Using its model-driven approach, Cisco CloudCenter enables users to design, deploy, and manage applications regardless of the underlying cloud platform. Built-in governance and cost control capabilities help enterprises maintain security and compliance while optimizing costs.
A standout feature is its ability to deploy complex applications using blueprints that function across any cloud setting, allowing teams to run applications effortlessly between environments. With advanced application monitoring tools combined with analytics and workload optimization features, this platform offers a powerful solution for companies managing extensive multi-cloud operations.
Top Features:
- Cloud-agnostic application blueprints
- Centralized governance and cost management
- Automated scaling and optimization
- Security policy enforcement
- Multi-cloud monitoring
Website: https://www.cisco.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing; available through Cisco sales.
5. Embotics Commander (now part of Snow Software)
Flexera is a well-established cloud management platform known for its ease of use and comprehensive feature set. It offers self-service provisioning, automation, governance, and cost optimization, making it ideal for mid-sized and large enterprises. Flexera is particularly praised for its intuitive interface and fast deployment capabilities.
A key benefit of the platform is its flexibility, supporting both on-premises and public cloud environments with equal ease. It provides deep insights into cloud costs and usage patterns and offers policy-based governance to maintain security and compliance. Its seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure makes it a smooth addition to enterprise cloud strategies.
Top Features:
- Intuitive self-service portal
- Cost tracking and optimization
- Automated provisioning and lifecycle management
- Policy-based governance
- Integration with ITSM tools
Website: https://www.snowsoftware.com/
Pricing: Subscription pricing; contact Snow Software sales.
6. Apptio Cloudability
Apptio Cloudability is a crucial tool for FinOps teams since it concentrates on financial governance and cloud cost management. The platform helps businesses match cloud investments with their objectives by offering detailed insight into cloud spending, usage patterns, and optimization options. All of the main cloud providers are supported by Cloudability, which also connects with numerous third-party solutions for further functionality.
Although Cloudability’s primary focus is cost management, it also provides resource optimization tools to save waste and boost cloud effectiveness. Finance and IT teams may work together more easily on cloud strategy because to its analytics and reporting features, which guarantee that cloud efforts yield the highest possible return on investment.
Top Features:
- Cloud cost transparency and optimization
- Budgeting and forecasting tools
- Resource utilization tracking
- Tagging and allocation management
- Integration with DevOps and ITSM tools
Website: https://www.apptio.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing; contact Apptio sales.
7. Platform9 Managed Kubernetes
Platform9 Managed Kubernetes offers a cloud-native management experience for Kubernetes clusters across any infrastructure—public cloud, private cloud, or on-premises. It provides a fully-managed Kubernetes service with enterprise-grade SLAs, enabling organizations to run Kubernetes at scale without the operational overhead.
Platform9’s simplicity and adaptability are what make it unique. The platform supports zero-touch upgrades, monitoring, and automated troubleshooting, making it easier to maintain Kubernetes clusters in production. It also offers multi-cluster management, RBAC, and policy enforcement, ensuring that cloud-native workloads remain secure and compliant.
Top Features:
- Fully-managed Kubernetes service
- Zero-touch upgrades and patching
- Multi-cluster management
- Integrated monitoring and alerts
- Role-based access control
Website: https://platform9.com
Pricing: Free community tier; paid plans with enterprise features (contact sales for details).
8. Turbonomic (an IBM Company)
The IBM division of Turbonomic delivers its application resource management platform through which continuous application demand analysis connects to automatic resource distribution throughout hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The optimization engine driven by AI ensures applications obtain proper resources to work optimally by avoiding both resource waste through over-provisioning and financial expense.
The core strength of Turbonomic rests in its capacity to link application execution with infrastructure resources and deliver operational actions along with automated capabilities. The tool operates across various cloud platforms and connects with monitoring systems and IT service management tools to provide diverse performance capabilities.
Top Features:
- AI-powered resource optimization
- Continuous performance analysis
- Integration with cloud and on-prem platforms
- Cost and performance dashboards
- Automated remediation
Website: https://www.ibm.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing; contact IBM sales.
9. Microsoft Azure Arc
Through Microsoft Azure Arc organizations can use Azure’s management function across their in-house infrastructure in addition to multi-cloud systems and edge installations. Azure Arc gives users a hybrid and multi-cloud management platform to control external Azure resources while delivering unified infrastructure management capabilities.
Azure Arc enables organizations to implement compliance validation and configuration management and service deployment of Azure SQL Database and Azure Kubernetes Service across their different environments to enhance IT operational efficiency.
The major asset of Azure Arc stems from its perfect connection to Azure Resource Manager which provides uniform operational control. Enterprises can achieve uniform security management and automated monitoring through their complete infrastructure base. Through Azure Arc enterprises can achieve uniform control and management of their virtual machines Kubernetes clusters and databases thus establishing its essential role in hybrid cloud implementations.
Top Features:
- Centralized multi-cloud management
- Policy enforcement and compliance
- Integration with Azure Security Center
- Kubernetes cluster management
- Hybrid data services deployment
Website: https://azure.microsoft.com/
Pricing: Pay-as-you-go model; pricing varies based on the type of resource (e.g., Kubernetes, SQL Server) and region.
10. VMware vRealize Suite (Aria Suite)
VMware vRealize Suite, now rebranded as Aria Suite, is a comprehensive cloud management platform built to deliver automated operations, governance, and compliance for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It has strong capabilities in areas like automated provisioning, cost optimization, and performance monitoring, giving IT teams the flexibility they require while maintaining high security and control levels.
Because of its close integration with VMware’s networking and virtualization products, the suite is particularly beneficial for businesses that are already well-established in VMware ecosystems. It is appropriate for a range of operational needs because it supports both private and public cloud management. Aria Suite gives companies the ability to effectively manage complicated cloud environments by automating infrastructure provisioning and monitoring workload health.
Top Features:
- Advanced automation and orchestration
- Performance analytics and optimization
- Unified policy-based governance
- Integrated cost management
- Multi-cloud visibility
Website: https://www.vmware.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing based on the modules and infrastructure; contact VMware sales.
11. IBM Cloud Pak for Multicloud Management
IBM Cloud Pak for Multicloud Management is designed for enterprise-scale cloud operations, enabling businesses to manage applications and infrastructure consistently across multiple clouds. The platform is built on Kubernetes and provides robust capabilities for monitoring, governance, and security. With integrated AI-powered insights, Cloud Pak helps organizations optimize performance and detect anomalies early.
A standout feature is its ability to provide visibility and control over complex multicloud environments, regardless of the cloud provider. It also supports multi-cluster management, policy-driven governance, and secure app deployments. Enterprises looking to implement cloud-native technologies at scale will find IBM Cloud Pak a reliable choice, especially for regulated industries requiring stringent compliance.
Top Features:
- AI-driven monitoring and insights
- Centralized multi-cloud governance
- Kubernetes-native management
- Automation and policy enforcement
- Application topology visualization
Website: https://www.ibm.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing based on use case and deployment size; contact IBM sales.
12. BMC Helix Cloud Management
Users can find complete cloud management functionality in BMC Helix Cloud Management through its unified service management platform and its operations capability alongside cloud optimization features.
The platform delivers specific tools which enable users to provision assets while monitoring costs and performance and implementing governance and service allocation functions across hybrid and multi-cloud deployments. This platform uses AI alongside machine learning capabilities which boost decision quality through automated operation of normal workload functions.
Helix Cloud Management establishes itself through robust governance and compliance features which enables IT staff to exercise firm control over spending and resource usage. Business entities that wish to scale across different cloud environments can benefit from Helix Cloud Management because it provides seamless cloud provider integrations during initial deployment procedures.
Top Features:
- Cloud service orchestration
- Governance and policy management
- Cost transparency and optimization
- AI-driven operational intelligence
- Automated provisioning
Website: https://www.bmc.com/
Pricing: Custom pricing based on features and deployment; contact BMC sales.
13. Morpheus Data
A flexible hybrid cloud management platform, Morpheus Data provides uniform cost, governance, and orchestration across many cloud environments. Morpheus, a tool for DevOps and IT teams, allows self-service provisioning with centralized management. Its modular architecture allows users to integrate existing ITSM, CMDB, and CI/CD pipelines effortlessly.
One of Morpheus’s standout aspects is its strong support for a wide range of clouds, hypervisors, and container platforms. It provides everything from infrastructure automation to application lifecycle management, making it ideal for enterprises aiming to accelerate digital transformation initiatives without compromising on governance and security.
Top Features:
- Multi-cloud orchestration
- Integrated DevOps tools
- Role-based access and policy management
- Cost and usage tracking
- Container and Kubernetes support
Website: https://morpheusdata.com
Pricing: Tiered subscription pricing; free trial available.
14. Virtana
The hybrid and multi-cloud environment monitoring company Virtana provides organizations with deep visibility into their complete cloud infrastructure operations. People generally recognize Virtana for enhancing enterprise cloud performance while reducing expenses and bolstering operational efficiency.
The core strength of Virtana comes from its AI-powered analytics that enables businesses to assess bottlenecks in performance as well as control workloads while making strategic cloud resource decisions. The platform delivers detailed real-time monitoring capabilities that enable IT staff to detect problems swiftly.
The cloud migration planning capabilities of Virtana enhance business transitions between on-site deployments and cloud services or different cloud hosting services. The platform features both capacity planning and cost management capabilities to help users manage resources properly and avoid wasteful use of funds. The compliance tracking system and detailed reporting features of Virtana make it perfectly suitable for organizations under strict regulatory oversight needing precise IT environment monitoring.
Top Features:
- AI-powered performance monitoring and analytics
- Multi-cloud cost optimization and forecasting
- Cloud migration planning and workload assessment
- Real-time issue detection and alerting
- Compliance tracking and detailed reporting
Website: https://www.virtana.com
Pricing: Customized pricing based on organization size and needs (contact sales for details).
15. CloudBolt
CloudBolt is a hybrid cloud management platform that focuses on simplicity and extensibility. It enables IT teams to provision, manage, and optimize resources across public, private, and hybrid clouds efficiently. The platform supports integrations with major cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, as well as with on-premises infrastructure like VMware.
What sets CloudBolt apart is its plugin-based architecture, which allows extensive customization and integration. It also features intelligent automation, enabling self-service IT while maintaining governance and control. For organizations looking for a balance between ease of use and advanced capabilities, CloudBolt is a strong contender.
Top Features:
- Unified cloud management dashboard
- Self-service provisioning
- Multi-cloud cost tracking and optimization
- Customizable workflows and plugins
- Policy and compliance enforcement
Website: https://www.cloudbolt.io
Pricing: Tiered subscription model; free trial available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a crucial first step for any company looking to maximize its cloud investments is selecting the appropriate cloud management platform. Everything from configuring cloud resources to maintaining their security and functionality is made simpler by these platforms.
Having a strong cloud management solution may help you keep organized, save time, and cut expenses, regardless of how many cloud providers your firm employs. A strong cloud management platform will undoubtedly make your cloud journey much more effective and stress-free, regardless of the option you select.
FAQs
1. Can small businesses use cloud management platforms?
Yes, many cloud management platforms offer flexible pricing and features that work well for small businesses. They help small teams manage their cloud setup more easily and avoid overspending.
2. Are cloud management platforms only for public cloud services?
No, many cloud management tools also support private clouds and on-premises data centers. This makes it easier for businesses to manage all their IT resources in one place, even if they’re using a mix of cloud and in-house systems.
3. How do cloud management platforms help with cost savings?
These platforms provide clear insights into how your cloud resources are being used, helping you spot waste or unnecessary spending. They also offer automation to shut down unused resources, which helps keep cloud costs under control.
