18 Best Cloud Development Platforms Reviewed for 2025
Best Cloud Development Platforms Shortlist
Here are my top picks of the best cloud development platforms for deploying your cloud-based apps, with additional options below:
With so many different cloud development platforms available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know your cloud development projects can become complex to manage, but need to figure out which tool is best to help you out. I've got you! In this post I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different cloud development platforms with large teams and projects, with my picks of the best cloud development platforms.
Whether you're building a web app, a mobile app, or a backend service, cloud development platforms help get your applications up and running quickly. Here, I'll explain each platform's unique benefits so you can select the one that works best for you.
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Best Cloud Development Platform Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top cloud development platform selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for simplicity and affordability | $200 credit 60-day free trial | Starts from $12/month while the Database plan starts from $15/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best platforms for developers | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for machine learning and AI | Free version available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 4 | Best for database management | 30-day free trial | Pay-as-you-go pricing model | Website | |
| 5 | Best for building custom business applications | Free plan available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for developing and deploying enterprise-scale applications | Free plan available | Pay-as-you-go model | Website | |
| 7 | Best for high availability with a global infrastructure | Free trial available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best scalable, open-source option | Free plan available | Pricing upon request. | Website | |
| 9 | Best for scaling web applications | Free demo | From $0.005/hour | Website | |
| 10 | Best for building and deploying cloud applications | Free plan available | Pay-as-you-go model. | Website |
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Best Cloud Development Platform Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best cloud development platform that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider focused on simplicity and developer-friendly features. It offers scalable virtual machines (Droplets), managed Kubernetes, and other services suitable for developers and small to medium-sized businesses.
Why I picked DigitalOcean: I selected DigitalOcean for its simple and intuitive user interface, which makes it easy for developers to navigate and manage their cloud resources. The user-friendly experience of DigitalOcean enables developers to quickly deploy and configure their applications without the need for extensive technical expertise, streamlining the development process.
DigitalOcean Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a scalable infrastructure with pre-configured application templates, making it effortless to deploy popular software stacks, databases, and development frameworks. With just a few clicks, I can quickly set up and start working with the tools and environments I need for my projects.
Integrations include integrations with various developer tools and frameworks, including popular content management systems (CMS), databases, and CI/CD platforms through Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalability and solid performance
- One-click application deployment
- User-friendly interface and straightforward pricing
Cons:
- Visit WebsiteOpens new window
- Relatively minor ecosystem compared to larger cloud providers
- Limited enterprise-grade features and services
Red Hat OpenShift is a container application platform best suited for developers. Built on Kubernetes for orchestration, OpenShift gives developers an effective platform to build and deploy applications with an agile DevOps approach.
Why I picked Red Hat: I picked Red Hat because it is an open-source Kubernetes-based platform for containerization applications, and offers a consistent approach for public clouds, on-prem servers, and hybrid environments. I appreciated how this could simplify the software development lifecycle and enable continuous integration and deployment.
Red Hat Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include containerization capabilities that allow me to deploy web apps quickly, as well as automation, integration solutions, and support services. These features make Red Hat a compelling choice for businesses seeking a customizable and scalable private cloud environment.
Integrations include extensive integrations within the Kubernetes ecosystem, encompassing container orchestration, monitoring, logging, and various other functionalities. These integrations are native to the Red Hat OpenShift platform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Extensive DevOps tools
- Container-based platform
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Complex to manage for users new to containerization and DevOps.
- Limited customization options
Azure gives you everything you need to create robust and secure applications without worrying about infrastructure management. Azure's offerings include a comprehensive suite of cloud services, advanced AI capabilities, global scalability, robust security measures, and integration options. It's a game-changer in cloud computing, and developers can't get enough of it.
Why I picked Microsoft Azure: I chose Microsoft Azure because it offers a broad selection of pre-designed templates, powerful machine-learning capabilities, and ready-to-use AI models. These features significantly accelerate the development process by providing efficient tools and resources to build and deploy applications with advanced functionalities.
Azure Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout Features include its advanced AI and machine learning capabilities, robust security measures, and compliance certifications. Furthermore, I discovered you could integrate with on-site environments through hybrid cloud capabilities.
Integrations include native support for other Microsoft services such as Office 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform. It also includes pre-built integrations with third-party tools like GitHub, Splunk, and Tableau.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Hybrid cloud capabilities.
- Extensive compliance certifications
- Robust AI and machine learning capabilities
Cons:
- Some services can be costly.
- It can be complex for beginners
Oracle Cloud is a comprehensive cloud platform that offers a range of services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). It provides a robust and secure environment for building and deploying applications.
Why I picked Oracle: I picked this platform because Oracle offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services from SaaS to PaaS and IaaS. Its easy integration with existing Oracle services makes it the best database management and app deployment choice.
Oracle Cloud Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include enterprise-grade scalability and an integrated suite of services, including computing, storage, networking, databases, AI/ML, analytics, and more. I found this offers good support for developers to build end-to-end solutions within a single platform.
Integrations include native integrations with Oracle products and services, including Oracle Database, Oracle Applications, and Oracle Integration Cloud.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Integration with Oracle technologies
- Strong security and compliance features
- A comprehensive suite of cloud-based services
Cons:
- High learning curve for developers unfamiliar with Oracle technologies
- It may be costly compared to some other cloud-based solutions
Salesforce is an exceptional cloud-based platform for customer relationship management that provides a wide range of services and tools for sales, marketing, service, and collaboration. Its highly customizable and scalable environment makes it the perfect choice for building customer-centric applications.
Why I picked Salesforce: I chose Salesforce because of its low-code development capabilities for building customer-centric applications, which enables faster application development and empowers non-technical users to contribute to the development process. Additionally, Salesforce's extensive ecosystem and pre-built functionalities provide a robust foundation for creating scalable and customizable solutions tailored to specific business needs.
Salesforce Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include its CRM capabilities, offering features for lead management, sales automation, customer support, and more. I like that it also provides a vast marketplace of pre-built cloud apps and integrations, allowing developers to extend the platform's functionality.
Integrations include integration through Zapier with numerous pre-built applications available on the Salesforce AppExchange marketplace, including popular productivity tools, marketing automation platforms, and data integration tools.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Low-code development capabilities
- Extensive app marketplace for customization
- Powerful CRM functionality
Cons:
- Limited flexibility outside the CRM domain
- Costs can escalate with additional features and users
Best for developing and deploying enterprise-scale applications
SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is a cloud-based platform best suited for developing and deploying enterprise applications. It offers services and tools that enable developers to quickly build and deploy complex applications, including analytics, integration, and extensibility capabilities.
Why I picked SAP BTP: I chose this platform because of its comprehensive end-to-end development lifecycle management and integration with SAP enterprise software solutions. Developers can benefit from the robust cloud infrastructure, and industry-specific capabilities to develop applications addressing unique requirements in a particular industry.
SAP BTP Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include streamlined development processes, a scalable cloud infrastructure, advanced analytics and machine learning, and access to an app store and marketplace. I found great support for developing applications and monetizing them in a thriving ecosystem.
Integrations include integrations with various SAP applications, including SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Customer Experience, and more. These integrations are native to SAP BTP.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports a range of programming languages
- Great extensibility capabilities
- Robust analytics and integrations
Cons:
- Limited flexibility outside the SAP ecosystem
- Some services might be costly
Google Cloud is a comprehensive cloud computing platform offered by Google that provides a wide range of services and solutions. It encompasses various technology areas including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), application development, data analytics, databases, and security.
Why I picked Google Cloud: Google Cloud stands out as a premier cloud development platform due to its extensive range of features and benefits tailored for developers. One of the most significant advantages of Google Cloud is its strong global infrastructure, which includes 28 regions and 85 zones worldwide. This extensive network ensures high availability and low latency, providing a seamless user experience.
Google Cloud Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI solutions and machine learning, compute services, client libraries, command-line interface, high-end security, and scalable storage.
Integrations include AlloyDB, BigQuery, Google Analytics, Gmail, Google Calendar, Search Ads 360, Active Directory, and Amazon S3.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Frequent data backups
- Strong security
- Quick collaboration
Cons:
- Potential vendor lock-in
- Limited support options
Cloud Foundry is an open-source platform as a service (PaaS) solution that provides developers with a streamlined and scalable environment for deploying and managing applications across multiple clouds.
Why I picked Cloud Foundry: I chose Cloud Foundry due to its highly scalable and resilient architecture, which enables applications to handle varying workloads and maintain high availability effortlessly. With Cloud Foundry's robust infrastructure, you can quickly scale applications up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance and resource utilization.
Cloud Foundry Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include its multi-cloud support, allowing my applications to be deployed across different cloud providers, and its container-based architecture that simplifies application packaging. With these features, developers can achieve portability, scalability, and flexibility in deploying their applications in cloud environments.
Integrations include native integrations with various cloud providers, like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. It also integrates with popular CI/CD tools and container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automation of application lifecycle
- Streamlined workflow and developer productivity
- Multi-cloud support and avoidance of vendor lock-in
Cons:
- It may have a steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires infrastructure resources and expertise
If you need to scale your web applications, Heroku is the perfect cloud-based platform. It's easy to use, flexible, and offers a variety of features that make it popular among small businesses and startups. With Heroku, you can quickly deploy, manage, and scale your web applications hassle-free.
Why I picked Heroku: I chose Heroku because of its user-friendly and straightforward deployment process that allows for the easy scalability of web applications. I also appreciated the on-demand flexibility to add or remove components like dynos and data storage.
Heroku Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout Features include its capability to help me deploy and adjust web applications quickly. Heroku also supports various programming languages. Furthermore, it has built-in add-ons for common services, such as databases and caching.
Integrations include native integration with Salesforce for application development and data synchronization while also offering a wide range of pre-built add-ons for services such as databases, monitoring, and logging.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of programming languages.
- Scalable
- Easy to use
Cons:
- It can quickly become costly
- Limited customization options
Google Cloud Platform is a comprehensive cloud computing platform globally recognized for its scalable and reliable infrastructure. GCP’s ecosystem includes a wide variety of tools, including Google Cloud Functions, Google App Engine, Kubernetes Engine, and Cloud Firestore – all geared toward helping developers create and manage cloud-based applications.
Why I picked Google Cloud Platform: I selected Google Cloud Platform (GCP) because it excels in providing a highly scalable infrastructure that effortlessly handles varying workloads, ensuring optimal performance and flexibility for building cloud applications.
Google Cloud Platform Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features that I appreciated in Google Cloud Platform (GCP) were its remarkable scalability and flexibility. Automatic scaling based on demand ensures optimal performance and cost efficiency. I also found that GCP's integration with the Google Cloud AI offered powerful machine learning capabilities for tasks like image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics.
Integrations: Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides integrations with Cloud Build for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), Cloud Functions for serverless function execution, and Cloud Storage for data storage and retrieval, all native to the platform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- High-performance computing.
- Extensive machine learning capabilities
- Scalable and flexible
Cons:
- Some services can be costly.
- It can be complex for beginners
Other Cloud Development Platform
Here are some additional cloud development platform options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- OpenStack
For building and managing private and public clouds
- Amazon Web Services Cloud9
For collaboration
- IBM Cloud
For blockchain and AI
- Mendix
For making enterprise-grades apps quickly
- Platform.sh
For building web apps with a high level of automation
- Virtuozzo
For managing applications in a multi-cloud environment
- TensorFlow
For building and deploying AI models
- Firebase
For mobile app development
Cloud Development Platform Selection Criteria
When selecting the best cloud development platform to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like integration challenges and security concerns. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Code collaboration
- Version control
- Integrated development environment
- Deployment automation
- Security management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven code suggestions
- Multi-cloud environment support
- Real-time analytics
- Customizable workflows
- Advanced access controls
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Ease of navigation
- Customizable dashboards
- Accessibility features
- User feedback mechanisms
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Onboarding templates
- Access to webinars
- Supportive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 customer service
- Availability of live chat
- Comprehensive knowledge base
- Response time effectiveness
- Dedicated account managers
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible subscription plans
- Free trial availability
- Feature-to-cost ratio
- Discounts for annual payments
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Frequency of updates and improvements
- Feedback on customer support
- Performance reliability
- User community engagement
How to Choose Cloud Development Platform
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Can the platform grow with your team? Look for solutions that support increasing workloads without degrading performance. Consider future growth plans. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your existing tools? Check for compatibility with your software stack to avoid siloed operations. |
| Customizability | How much can you tailor the platform? Ensure it allows for workflow adjustments to match your team’s processes. |
| Ease of use | Is the interface user-friendly? Evaluate how intuitive the platform is for both tech-savvy and non-tech team members. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get up and running? Assess the time and resources needed for setup and training. Look for support in the form of guides or tutorials. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing structures and watch for hidden fees. Consider both short-term and long-term costs. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and operations protected? Evaluate the security measures and compliance with industry standards. |
| Support availability | What kind of help can you expect? Check if there’s 24/7 support, and what channels are available like chat, email, or phone. |
Trends in Cloud Development Platforms
In 2025, the landscape of cloud development platforms is rapidly evolving, bringing innovation to the efficiency, scalability, and security of building and managing applications in the cloud. By reviewing product updates, press releases, and release logs from leading DevOps platforms, we can discern key trends that reflect the changing demands and technological advancements in cloud development.
These trends not only highlight the features that are gaining prominence but also those that are becoming less critical as the market and technology mature. Here's a breakdown of the most notable trends and features in cloud development platforms for 2025:
Emerging Trends in Cloud Development Platforms
- Enhanced DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Tools: The emphasis on DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines is growing, with platforms offering more sophisticated tools for automation, testing, and deployment. This reflects the ongoing need for faster development cycles and more reliable software delivery methods.
- Expansion of Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Support: As businesses seek to avoid vendor lock-in and optimize their cloud strategies, platforms are increasingly supporting multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments. This flexibility allows developers to deploy applications across different cloud services, catering to a variety of operational and regulatory requirements.
- More Built-In Security and Compliance Features: With cyber threats on the rise, cloud platforms are bolstering their security offerings. Features like automated compliance checks, advanced encryption, and identity management are becoming standard, highlighting the critical importance of protecting data and applications in the cloud.
Features Rapidly Evolving
- Microservices and Containerization: These technologies are rapidly advancing, with platforms offering more robust tools for managing containerized applications and microservices architectures. This evolution points to the growing complexity of cloud applications and the need for scalable, manageable solutions.
Novel and Unusual Functionality
- Blockchain Integration: Some SaaS integration platforms are beginning to offer blockchain as a service (BaaS), providing developers with the tools to incorporate blockchain technologies into their applications. This novel feature addresses demands for increased security and transparency in transactions and data management.
Most Important and In Demand Features
- Comprehensive API Management: As applications become more interconnected, effective API management tools are essential for creating, deploying, and securing APIs. This functionality facilitates smoother integration between services and enhances application functionality.
Features Becoming Less Important
- Traditional VM-Based Hosting Solutions: With the rise of containerization and serverless computing, traditional VM-based solutions are becoming less popular. Developers are favoring more flexible, scalable, and cost-effective hosting options that these newer technologies offer.
The current trends and features in cloud development platforms reflect a broader shift towards more agile, secure, and efficient cloud computing solutions. As developers continue to seek platforms that offer advanced capabilities while minimizing overhead, these trends are likely to shape the future of cloud application development.
What Is a Cloud Development Platform?
A cloud development platform provides tools to streamline the process of building and managing applications in a cloud-based environment. These platforms let you work on your applications from anywhere, collaborate with other developers, and quickly deploy your code to the cloud.
Features such as pre-built assets and low-code capabilities can help you build and deploy cloud applications swiftly and at scale, and some platforms offer easy integrations with next-level technologies like AI and blockchains.
Features
When selecting cloud development platform, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Code collaboration: Facilitates teamwork by allowing multiple developers to work on the same codebase simultaneously.
- Version control: Tracks changes to code, making it easier to revert to previous versions and manage project history.
- Deployment automation: Automates the process of deploying applications, reducing manual errors and saving time.
- Integrated development environment: Provides a suite of tools for coding, debugging, and testing within a single interface.
- Security management: Ensures data and applications are protected with robust security measures and compliance with standards.
- Customizable workflows: Allows teams to tailor project processes to fit their specific needs and improve efficiency.
- Real-time analytics: Offers insights into performance and usage, helping teams make informed decisions.
- Multi-cloud support: Enables the use of multiple cloud providers, offering flexibility and redundancy.
- Access controls: Manages who can view and edit projects, enhancing security and collaboration.
- Training resources: Includes guides, videos, and tutorials to help users get up to speed quickly.
Benefits
Implementing cloud development platform provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved collaboration: Real-time code collaboration features allow team members to work together efficiently, regardless of location.
- Enhanced security: Built-in security management ensures your data and applications are well-protected and compliant with industry standards.
- Cost efficiency: Multi-cloud support and deployment automation help reduce operational costs by optimizing resource usage and minimizing manual tasks.
- Flexibility: Customizable workflows let teams adapt processes to better fit their unique needs and preferences.
- Increased productivity: Integrated development environments and version control streamline development tasks, allowing teams to focus on innovation.
- Scalability: The platform's ability to grow with your business supports future expansion without major overhauls.
- Informed decision-making: Real-time analytics provide valuable insights into project performance and resource allocation.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting cloud development platform requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in cloud development platform solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Cloud Development Platform
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic code collaboration, limited storage, and community support. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Enhanced version control, additional storage, and basic analytics. |
| Business Plan | $30-$100/user/month | Advanced security features, custom workflows, and priority support. |
| Enterprise Plan | $100-$300/user/month | Comprehensive integration options, dedicated account manager, and full analytics. |
Cloud Development Platform FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about cloud development platform:
What is the difference between cloud development and traditional development?
Cloud development relies on cloud-based resources for building and deploying applications, while traditional development uses on-premises infrastructure. With cloud development, you can scale resources quickly and collaborate with team members globally. Traditional development often requires more upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure.
How does vendor lock-in impact cloud development platforms?
Vendor lock-in in cloud development platforms occurs when developers become overly dependent on a specific provider’s services and technologies, making it difficult to switch to another platform. This can impact technology choices, portability, costs, innovation, and data management.
To mitigate vendor lock-in, prioritize standards and openness, consider interoperability and portability, explore multi-cloud or hybrid solutions, and ensure control over data management and export capabilities.
What are the security considerations when using a cloud development platform?
When using a cloud development platform, it is essential to consider various security considerations. These include implementing data encryption, strong access controls, and authentication mechanisms. These are sometimes offered in a different cloud security product in same suite.
You should evaluate data backup and disaster recovery mechanisms and prioritize vulnerability management. Auditing and logging, secure development practices, and physical security measures are also essential.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching cloud development platform, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.