The 4 Best Cloud Application Development Platforms

More than a third of all businesses across the globe now rely on cloud computing, and it's expected that the worldwide market will reach a valuation of $676 billion in 2024, according to Gartner. According to Deloitte, over 90% of companies consider the cloud critical for digital transformation.

There are so many cloud app development platforms that picking the right one can become tough. Because of that, we scoured the Internet to find the top four cloud application development platforms where app development is scalable and economical. In this post, we are going to take a look at these top picks as well as why they are so great.

1. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

The most popular platform for cloud app development is AWS. AWS consists of many services including AWS Management Services – a robust framework for deploying, managing and optimizing applications in the cloud. Although geared towards enterprise, AWS is so famous for scale, security, and flexibility that it has also become a great fit for small startups.

AWS Cloud9 is a cloud-based integrated development environment (IDE) in which developers can write, run, and debug code directly in the browser. It allows for easy cloud app development by integrating seamlessly with other AWS services offering pre configured environments and collaborative tools.

Key Features:

Broad service offerings (compute, storage, AI, databases)
Integration with AWS Management Services for better application support
Scalability and high availability

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2. Microsoft Azure

Another stand out choice for cloud app development is Microsoft Azure. Azure Development Services is a comprehensive suite of Azure Services available to enable developers to build and deploy applications using Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure. With its native support for Microsoft products like Visual Studio, GitHub and more it is rather an obvious choice for companies who use Microsoft products.

You will find flexibility with hybrid cloud capability in Azure, which allows businesses to connect their on-premises systems to the cloud. This hybrid approach is applicable specifically for organisations that intend to move to the cloud very gradually.

Key Features:

Hybrid cloud capabilities
Seamless integration with Azure Development Services and other Microsoft tools
Wide range of cloud services, including AI and machine learning

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

As a strong contender for the space of cloud app development, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is. GCP is known for its excellent machine learning and data analytics tools plus everything you need to build and manage applications in the cloud. Cloud Functions and App Engine from GCP make it easier to create scalable applications by the developers.

Thanks to its focus on containerization, using Kubernetes, one of the most popular open source container orchestration systems, it's really easy for developers to build highly reliable and scalable apps. This is a great feature for people who want the ability to build and manage applications that can take in unexpected traffic surges without a loss of consciousness.

Key Features:

Integrated machine learning and data analytics tools
Kubernetes support for containerized applications
Seamless integration with Google services like Gmail and Google Drive

4. DigitalOcean

If you’re a developer who wants simplicity, DigitalOcean is a fine choice for cloud app development. Because its price is predictable and easy to use, it’s especially popular with startups and small businesses. DigitalOcean offers simple, developer-friendly features to make the deployment and management of applications simple and straightforward.

DigitalOcean’s Droplets (virtual machines) and Kubernetes clusters help those of you with limited experience in cloud development, and make cloud development possible for everyone. Another reason that DigitalOcean is a popular choice for those who need to utilize the cloud is because of the platform’s community support as well as the comprehensive documentation.

Key Features:

Simple control panel and user interface
Developer-friendly tools like Droplets and Kubernetes
Predictable pricing

Choosing the Right Platform for Your Needs

Choosing the right cloud app development platform depends on the cost, time available and skills of your team as well as the requirements of your projects. Different types of projects require different features and capabilities powered by AWS, Azure, GCP and DigitalOcean respectively.

If that is the case, then AWS Management Services and Azure Development Services will be your best options. If you are a business seeking to embrace advanced machine learning and data analytics, Google Cloud Platform is your top choice. From a features usability perspective, DigitalOcean is a nice place to finally stop for those who are new to the cloud or just want a simple, inexpensive solution.

With these cloud solutions regardless of the platform you choose, it has become easier than ever before to create, deploy, and manage your applications concurrently. Thanks to these powerful cloud platforms, cloud app development is very accessible, scalable and reliable.