As more organizations operate fully or partially in the cloud, managing cloud infrastructure, resources, and services is becoming a critical priority. Cloud management involves controlling and overseeing public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. It covers both manual and automated tasks across the cloud lifecycle. The process includes setting up, deploying, monitoring, optimizing, and eventually shutting down services.

The need for cloud management stems from the growing complexity of cloud environments. Organizations want to boost performance while keeping costs under control. However, balancing both requires a well-rounded strategy across all areas of operation. 

Gartner predicts that global spending on public cloud services will jump 20.4% to $678.8 billion in 2024, up from $563.6 billion in 2023.

A robust cloud management strategy isn't only about saving money. It also aims to boost performance, ensure reliability, enhance security, and enable easy scaling in a constantly evolving cloud environment.

A well-structured cloud management plan helps IT teams better manage the challenges of dynamic and scalable cloud environments. This makes cloud operations smoother, more reliable, and better aligned with business goals.

Key Aspects of Cloud Management

While cloud management involves various aspects, its core principles can be distilled into three key fundamentals.

1. Cloud Operations

Effective cloud operations are essential for maintaining a reliable, scalable, and high-performing environment. This includes real-time monitoring, automating routine tasks, quick incident response, and ongoing optimization to adapt to changing needs. As cloud ecosystems grow more complex, integrated management platforms are key to simplifying operations.

2. Cloud Security

Security is crucial as more workloads shift to the cloud. Modern cloud security focuses on managing identities and access, encrypting data, detecting threats continuously, and complying with regulations. Advanced technologies like AI boost security by allowing proactive risk management through real-time monitoring and spotting unusual activities.

3. Cloud Cost Management

Cost optimization is central to cloud management, employing strategies like cost allocation, automated scaling, and FinOps practices. AI-powered tools further offer real-time insights to rightsize resources, reduce idle capacity, and maximize the ROI.

Why Are Cloud Management Platforms Important Today?

In 2024, cloud management platforms are more important than ever. As multi-cloud and hybrid environments become the norm, businesses face greater complexity in managing their cloud strategies. These platforms unify management across different providers, optimize costs, enforce security, and support sustainability goals. With the growth of industry-specific clouds and advanced tools, staying agile and efficient is not just a choice, it's essential.

Enhanced Platform Capabilities with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is revolutionizing cloud management platforms by making them smarter and more responsive to complex challenges. It's more than just automation; AI improves decision-making by analyzing large amounts of data in real time, predicting future needs, and optimizing resource use. This reduces the need for manual interventions and provides proactive solutions. It identifies security risks before they become problems and automatically scales resources to meet demand.

AI-driven cloud management turns reactive problem-solving into a strategic advantage. This allows businesses to stay ahead of issues and make the most of their cloud investments.

The potential of cloud management platforms is exciting, but choosing the right one can be challenging. With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To make it easier, start by defining your main goals. Are you looking to optimize costs, manage multiple clouds, or use AI for automation? Identify what you need to achieve and pick platforms that meet those needs. Look for solutions that integrate smoothly, have a track record of reliability, and can adapt as your business grows.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of leading cloud management platforms that can boost your cloud strategy.

13 Best Cloud Management Platforms in 2024

Check out the best cloud management platforms in 2024. Each one offers unique features to make your cloud management simpler and more effective.

1.Sedai

Overview
Sedai is a cutting-edge cloud management platform that uses AI and ML to automate operations, reduce costs, and enhance performance. It monitors and optimizes cloud environments in real time, helping organizations manage resources more efficiently.

USP
Sedai’s key feature is its AI-driven autonomous operations, which optimize workloads without manual intervention. It learns from application behavior and adjusts strategies for efficient resource use.

Features

• Manages resources across multiple cloud environments.
• Optimizes compute, storage, and data for better performance. 
• Lets users set service level objectives to meet performance goals.
• Detects potential issues before they affect performance, minimizing downtime.

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Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: User-friendly interface, effective automation features, good customer support.
• Cons: Can be a bit expensive for smaller teams.

Key Customers
Prominent users like Palo Alto Networks, Experian, HP, and KnowBe4 use Sedai to enhance cloud operations and optimize costs.

Pricing Structure
Sedai offers a free trial and a subscription-based pricing model that scales with workload volume. This makes it accessible to organizations of all sizes.

2. Morpheus

Overview
Morpheus offers easy self-service provisioning across private, hosted, and public clouds. It simplifies hybrid cloud management, ensuring security and compliance while making complex environments easier to handle.

USP
Morpheus excels in security with its zero-trust architecture. It features microsegmentation and integrates with VMware NSX-T and Unisys Stealth. This combination helps keep multi-cloud environments secure.

Features

• Automates cloud management tasks to cut manual work.
• Supports GitOps for managing infrastructure and applications with version control.
• Provides role-based access controls for better governance and compliance.

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Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Strong multi-cloud management capabilities, good reporting features, flexible deployment options.
• Cons: Steeper learning curve, some users report performance issues.

Key Customers
Organizations like EUMETSAT, Exponential-e, and various media streaming companies use Morpheus to manage multi-cloud infrastructures.

Pricing Structure
Morpheus uses a custom pricing model based on managed nodes and environments. This allows you to scale according to your unique needs.

3. CloudHealth by VMware

Overview
CloudHealth offers a unified platform to analyze, optimize, and govern multi-cloud operations. It provides visibility into spending and performance across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform from one interface.

USP
CloudHealth’s standout feature is its financial management and cost optimization. It provides recommendations to help identify savings and manage expenditures.

Features

• Uses policies to manage cloud usage and spending, ensuring compliance.
• Tracks and manages cloud resources for better control.
• Gives automatic recommendations to adjust resources based on usage, reducing waste.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Comprehensive cost management tools, excellent analytics, strong integration with AWS and Azure.
• Cons: Complexity in setup, can be costly for smaller organizations.

Key Customers
Organizations like VMware, Dell Technologies, Centrica, and the University of California use CloudHealth to improve operational efficiency.

Pricing Structure
CloudHealth provides a subscription-based pricing model that scales with your needs, so you pay only for what you use.

4. Flexera One

Overview
Flexera's Cloud Management Platform (CMP) offers a complete solution for managing public and private cloud resources. It provides unified visibility and control to manage costs, optimize licenses, and ensure compliance across complex environments.

USP
Flexera One’s standout feature is its license optimization and compliance. It gives detailed insights into software usage and licensing to help maintain compliance and cost efficiency.

Additional Features

• Provides a unified view of resources across public and private clouds.
• Generates customizable reports on usage, costs, and compliance.
• Supports governance policies to ensure compliance.

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Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Robust software asset management, strong compliance features, good customer support.
• Cons: User interface can be confusing, high pricing for advanced features.

Key Customers
Organizations like Cisco, SAP, GE, and Accenture use Flexera One to improve cloud management, optimize software licenses, and ensure compliance.

Pricing Structure
Flexera One offers a tiered pricing model based on managed assets and licensing needs. This allows you to customize your subscriptions and scale as needed.

5. IBM Cloud Pak for Multicloud Management

Overview
IBM Cloud Pak for Multicloud Management offers visibility and control over cloud resources with advanced management for multi-cloud environments. It uses AI to automate tasks, streamline operations, and boost security across various cloud infrastructures.

USP
IBM Cloud Pak’s standout feature is its integrated governance and AI-driven workload management. It enforces policies and optimizes workloads using real-time data.

Additional Features

• Provides real-time monitoring and analysis of applications and infrastructure.
• Allows for defining and enforcing governance policies to ensure compliance.
• Automates compliance processes to reduce manual work.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Strong integration capabilities, good for large enterprises, comprehensive management features.
• Cons: High cost, complex setup and management.

Key Customers
Organizations like Coca-Cola, American Airlines, Kraft Heinz, and the University of California use IBM Cloud Pak to streamline cloud operations.

Pricing Structure
IBM Cloud Pak uses a license-based pricing model that adapts to your deployment scale and services. It lets you customize according to your needs.

6. CloudZero

Overview
CloudZero is a cloud cost management platform that offers real-time insights into spending and its impact on business operations. It helps engineering teams understand and optimize cloud costs more effectively.

Unique Feature
CloudZero’s standout features are its real-time cost monitoring and detailed analytics. They help track expenses efficiently and assess the financial impact of engineering decisions.

Additional Features

• Integrates with security tools for cost and security management.
• Detects unusual spending patterns in real time using machine learning.
• Allocates costs by team to encourage accountability and responsible spending.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Excellent cost management and visibility, easy to use, good customer support.
• Cons: Limited features compared to larger platforms, may not scale well for very large organizations.

Key Customers
CloudZero is used by organizations like Upstart, Malwarebytes and Remitly to achieve savings on their cloud costs.

Pricing Structure
CloudZero charges based on the amount of cloud spend managed. This lets you adjust costs according to your actual usage.

7. nOps

Overview
nOps is a cloud management tool for AWS that combines cost optimization with continuous compliance monitoring. It helps manage AWS resources, optimize spending, and maintain compliance with best practices.

USP
nOps’ standout feature is real-time compliance and security tracking with automated remediation. It ensures continuous monitoring and automatic resolution of security issues in AWS environments.

Features

• Automates security tasks to reduce manual effort.
• Provides detailed insights into AWS usage for cost optimization.
• Optimizes AWS resource performance for efficient and cost-effective application running.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Strong AWS optimization features, good for cost management, user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Limited support for non-AWS environments, some users report bugs.

Key Customers
nOps is used by organizations like Camlin, Cargo Chief, and Mode2 that are heavily invested in AWS.

Pricing Structure
nOps charges a subscription fee based on a percentage of cloud spend. It lets you adjust costs according to your AWS usage.

8. Turbonomic by IBM

Overview
IBM Turbonomic is an AI-driven platform that optimizes performance, cost, and compliance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It helps manage IT infrastructure efficiently, ensuring resources meet application needs while controlling costs.

USP
Turbonomic’s standout feature is real-time, application-aware workload optimization. It adjusts resources dynamically for both cloud-native and traditional apps, ensuring peak performance and cost efficiency.

Additional Features

• Balances workloads continuously and adjusts resources automatically.
• Automates cost-saving strategies like rightsizing and optimizing allocation.
• Includes risk management to ensure compliance and mitigate allocation risks.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Effective resource optimization, good for hybrid cloud environments, strong analytics.
• Cons: Can be complex to implement, high cost.

Key Customers
Turbonomic is used by organizations with complex IT infrastructures that require efficient resource management like J.B. Hunt, Komatsu, and Providence.

Pricing Structure
Turbonomic offers tiered pricing based on managed resources and optimization needs. This enables you to customize your investment.

9. Spot by NetApp

Overview
Spot by NetApp is a cloud cost optimization platform that automates resource management to enhance savings. It uses advanced analytics and machine learning to fine-tune cloud infrastructure, balancing performance, availability, and cost efficiency.

USP
Spot’s standout feature is its automated scaling and spot instance management. It integrates with DevOps pipelines to use cost-effective instances while keeping applications reliable and available.

Features

• Automatically adjusts compute resources based on real-time usage for cost-effectiveness.
• Integrates with CI/CD tools for automated optimization during deployments.
• Offers real-time insights into cloud spending to identify cost drivers and optimization opportunities.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Excellent for managing cloud costs, strong automation features, user-friendly.
• Cons: Limited support for on-premises environments, some users find it lacking in advanced features.

Key Customers
Spot by NetApp is widely used by organizations focused on optimizing costs like Porter, Pivotree, and Finova.

Pricing Structure
Spot charges based on the savings it provides, so you only pay for the cost reductions it achieves.

10. Terraform/OpenTofu

Overview
Terraform is a popular infrastructure-as-code tool that automates provisioning across multiple clouds. With the rise of OpenTofu, a fork of Terraform, attention has shifted due to Terraform's new licensing. OpenTofu offers an open-source alternative, continuing community-driven development principles.

Emergence of OpenTofu
OpenTofu was created after HashiCorp changed Terraform’s license to Business Source License (BSL), sparking concerns. It aims to keep infrastructure management open-source and is backed by the OpenTF initiative. Forked from Terraform version 1.5.6, OpenTofu maintains feature parity and incorporates community enhancements under the Mozilla Public License.

USP
OpenTofu’s key feature is its declarative configuration language and state management. It allows users to manage multi-cloud deployments in a consistent and predictable way.

Additional Features

• Manages resources across various cloud providers, similar to Terraform.
• Supports reusable modules for sharing and promoting best practices.
• Works with existing Terraform workflows and tools via Terraform Cloud.

Review Highlights from Miscellaneous Sources

• Pros: Open-source flexibility, strong community support, good for developers.
• Cons: Limited enterprise features, may require more technical expertise.

Key Customers
OpenTofu is still gaining traction as a community-driven alternative to Terraform. Meanwhile, companies like Spacelift, Gruntwork, Harness, Env0, and Scalr are key supporters and contributors.

Pricing Structure
OpenTofu is free and open-source. For advanced features and support, Terraform Cloud offers a freemium model with an enterprise option for larger organizations.

11. Harness

Overview
Harness is a Continuous Delivery as a Service platform that automates cloud deployments and streamlines software delivery. It integrates advanced monitoring and cost management to help teams deploy applications efficiently while managing costs and compliance.

Modules of Harness

• Continuous Delivery (CD): Automates application and infrastructure deployments.
• Continuous Integration (CI): Manages code building, testing, and integration.
• Cloud Cost Management (CCM): Provides insights and optimizes cloud spending.
• Feature Flags: Allows enabling or disabling features without new deployments.
• Security Testing Orchestration: Integrates security tests into the CI/CD pipeline.
• Chaos Engineering: Simulates failures to test application resilience.

USP
Harness’s standout feature is its automated deployment pipelines with integrated cloud cost management. This lets organizations deploy applications while monitoring and managing costs in real time.

Additional Features

• Provides governance controls with role-based access and policy enforcement.
• Optimizes CI/CD pipelines with automated rollback and deployment strategies.
• Integrates with monitoring tools for insights into deployment performance and application health.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Strong CI/CD capabilities, user-friendly interface, good for DevOps teams.
• Cons: Can be pricey, some users report integration issues.

Key Customers
Harness is used by Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, NVIDIA, ServiceNow, and others to enhance their software delivery processes and operational efficiency.

Pricing Structure
Harness offers a subscription-based pricing model that scales with deployment needs. This allows you to select a plan that fits your specific requirements and growth.

12. Anodot

Overview
Anodot is an AI-powered cloud cost management platform that focuses on real-time monitoring and anomaly detection. It uses advanced machine learning to provide visibility into cloud spending, helping organizations optimize costs and manage them proactively.

USP
Anodot’s standout feature is its real-time anomaly detection for cloud costs, spotting deviations as they happen to prevent cost overruns.

Additional Features

• Uses machine learning to forecast future costs based on historical data.
• Offers customizable dashboards for specific needs like cost allocation by team or project.
• Supports multiple cloud providers for managing costs across various environments.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Excellent anomaly detection, good for real-time analytics, user-friendly dashboard.
• Cons: Limited integrations, can be expensive for small teams.

Key Customers
Anodot is used by organizations like Payoneer, Trax, and Aqua for real-time cost optimization.

Pricing Structure
Anodot charges based on the amount of cloud spending it monitors. This means costs align with actual usage and can scale as your needs grow.

13. Virtana 

Overview
Virtana is a cloud cost optimization and performance management platform for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It helps organizations manage costs, optimize performance, and ensure compliance, making cloud operations more efficient.

USP
Virtana’s standout feature is its predictive analytics for cloud cost optimization, including capacity planning. It forecasts future resource needs and spending by analyzing past data, allowing for proactive resource management.

Features

• Monitors application performance to identify and resolve issues quickly.
• Recommends rightsizing opportunities based on usage patterns.
• Implements governance policies to ensure compliance.

Review Highlights from G2

• Pros: Strong performance monitoring, good for hybrid cloud environments, comprehensive reporting.
• Cons: High cost, can be complex to set up.

Key Customers
Virtana is widely used by organizations like Grange Insurance, Presidio, Software Solutions Integrated (SSI) and particularly those managing complex hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

Pricing Structure
Virtana uses a subscription-based pricing model designed for hybrid cloud environments. It scales with your needs and cloud strategies.

These 13 cloud management platforms are well-suited for a variety of use cases. To choose the best one, match each platform’s features to your specific needs.

Emerging Trends in Cloud Management

The cloud management landscape in 2024 is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting business needs. Key trends include:

1. Automation and AI Integration

Gartner predicts that by 2026, 50% of organizations will use AI and automation to optimize cloud workloads in real-time. This is a significant increase from 20% in 2022. Automation and AI are becoming more and more important in cloud management. Here’s why: 

• AI forecasts resource needs and optimizes performance while managing costs.
• It spots unusual spending or performance issues in real time, lowering risks. 
• Automating tasks lets IT teams focus on strategy, reducing errors.

2. Expansion of Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Strategies

Driven by the need for more flexibility and cost savings, businesses are

• Combining on-premises infrastructure with public cloud services to use the best features of each.
• Choosing multiple cloud providers to increase resilience and avoid being tied to one vendor. 
• Strategically placing workloads based on performance and cost.

3. Increased Focus on Security

With the rise of cyber threats, cloud security is a top priority. Businesses are focusing on

• AI and automation to improve identity management, threat detection, and compliance monitoring.
• AI-driven tools to predict and reduce risks by analyzing past data and applying security policies.

Wrapping Up

As cloud management trends evolve, choosing the right platform is crucial for aligning with business goals. Whether your priority is AI-driven optimization, multi-cloud agility, or fortified security, understanding your unique needs is key. If your priority is AI-driven optimization, select platforms with strong AI features. For flexibility, consider multi-cloud strategies to avoid being locked into a single vendor.

Looking ahead, cloud management will focus on smarter automation, integrated multi-cloud ecosystems, and better security solutions. As businesses rely more on hybrid and edge computing, platforms must offer seamless interoperability. AI and edge technologies will help predict and prevent issues, leading to improved operations.

In this rapidly shifting landscape, the real challenge is staying agile. If you’re looking for a flexible, future-proof solution in 2024 and beyond, explore Sedai today.