Cloud Computing Services: A Plain-English Guide for 2026
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Most of the apps you use every day run on someone else’s computers. Your email, your photo backups, your streaming shows, and the AI chat tools that took off in the last few years all live in large data centers owned by a small group of companies. Cloud computing services let anyone rent that computing power, storage, and software over the internet and pay only for what they use.
This guide explains the cloud in plain English. It covers the official definition, what are the types of cloud computing services, the ways a cloud can be set up, the major providers, pricing, risks, security, and how a small business can get started.
A note on method: the provider details, free tier terms, and market figures here come from the providers’ own pages, the NIST definition, and Synergy Research Group, as checked in October 2026. We did not test these platforms ourselves. Offers and prices change often, so check each provider’s site before you sign up.
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What Is Cloud Computing?
The most widely used definition comes from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Its Special Publication 800-145, written by Peter Mell and Timothy Grance and published in September 2011, defines cloud computing as “a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources … that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction.”
In plain terms, you use computers, storage, and software that someone else owns and runs. You reach them over the internet. You can get more or less of them in minutes, and you pay for what you use.
The Five Essential Characteristics
NIST says a true cloud has five traits.
Characteristic What NIST Means Everyday Example On-demand self-service You set up servers and storage yourself, without talking to anyone at the provider Starting a new server from a web console in a few minutes Broad network access Services work over the network from many kinds of devices Opening the same files on a laptop, a phone, or a tablet Resource pooling The provider serves many customers from shared hardware and assigns resources as demand changes Your app and thousands of others run in the same data center Rapid elasticity Capacity grows or shrinks quickly and often seems unlimited An online store adds servers for a holiday sale, then drops them Measured service Use is metered, tracked, and reported A monthly bill that lists hours of compute and gigabytes stored If a service lacks these traits, it is closer to traditional hosting than to the cloud. A server you rent by the year and set up through a sales call, for example, does not fit the NIST model.
So the short answer to what is cloud computing is this: computing on demand, metered by use, reached over a network, and able to scale up or down at will.
What Are the Types of Cloud Computing Services?
NIST names three service models. The industry has added several more since 2011. The main difference between them is how much the provider manages and how much you manage.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS gives you the raw building blocks: virtual machines, storage, and networks. You install and manage the operating system and everything above it. The provider runs the physical hardware and the data center. Examples include Amazon EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, and Google Compute Engine.
Use IaaS when you need full control, such as when you move an existing server application to the cloud.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
PaaS gives you a ready platform for your own code. You upload the application, and the provider handles the servers, the operating system, and scaling. Examples include AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service, and Google App Engine. Managed databases often fall into this group too.
PaaS suits developers who want to focus on code, not servers.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
SaaS is a finished application that you use through a browser or an app. The provider manages everything. Gmail, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Zoom, and Dropbox are all SaaS. For most people and most small businesses, SaaS is the first and largest part of their cloud use.
Serverless and Functions as a Service (FaaS)
Serverless computing runs small pieces of code, called functions, only when an event triggers them. You do not manage any servers. You pay per request and per unit of run time, so when nothing runs, you usually pay little or nothing. Examples include AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Google Cloud Run, and Cloudflare Workers.
Serverless works well for tasks that come in bursts, such as resizing a photo after an upload or handling a web form.
Containers and Kubernetes
A container packages an app with everything it needs to run, so it behaves the same on a laptop and in the cloud. Kubernetes is the most common open-source tool for running many containers at once. Each major provider sells a managed version: Amazon EKS, Azure Kubernetes Service, and Google Kubernetes Engine.
Containers sit between IaaS and PaaS. They give you more control than PaaS and less work than managing whole virtual machines.
AI and Machine Learning Services
AI is now one of the fastest-growing parts of the cloud. These services come in three layers:
- Ready-made AI tools for tasks such as speech to text, translation, and image recognition
- Platforms for building and running AI models, such as Amazon Bedrock, Amazon SageMaker, Google Vertex AI, and Microsoft’s Azure AI services
- Rented GPUs and AI chips for training and running large models
The same rented GPUs power creative work too. Artists and studios use them to render 3D scenes far faster than a single desktop can, as this guide to Cloud Rendering in Blender explains. Some providers also offer early access to Quantum Computing hardware through the cloud, so researchers can run experiments without owning a quantum machine.
Service Models Side by Side
Model You Manage The Provider Manages Examples IaaS Operating system, apps, and data Hardware, network, and data center Amazon EC2, Azure Virtual Machines, Compute Engine PaaS App code and data Servers, operating system, runtime, and scaling Elastic Beanstalk, Azure App Service, App Engine SaaS Your data and user settings Everything else Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce Serverless (FaaS) Function code Servers, scaling, and runtime AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, Cloudflare Workers Containers Container images and settings Cluster control and hardware Amazon EKS, AKS, GKE AI and ML Your data, prompts, and custom models Base models, chips, and platform Amazon Bedrock, Vertex AI, Azure AI services A simple way to picture it is pizza. IaaS is renting a kitchen and buying your own ingredients. PaaS is a take-and-bake pizza. SaaS is eating at the restaurant.
Cloud Deployment Models
Service models describe what you rent. Deployment models describe where the cloud runs and who shares it. NIST lists four. A fifth, multicloud, is now common.
Model What It Is Pros Cons Public cloud Shared infrastructure open to anyone, run by a provider Low start-up cost, fast to scale, huge choice of services Less control, costs can grow fast Private cloud Cloud infrastructure for one organization, on or off its premises More control and isolation Higher cost, you need staff to run it Hybrid cloud Two or more clouds, often public and private, linked so data and apps can move between them Keeps sensitive systems in-house while using public scale More complex to manage Community cloud Shared by a group of organizations with common needs, such as security or compliance rules Shared cost and shared standards Few options, harder to set up Multicloud Using services from two or more public providers Best tool for each job, less reliance on one vendor More skills, tools, and bills to manage Most large companies now use a mix. A bank might keep core records in a private cloud, run its website on a public cloud, and use SaaS for email and payroll. Many small businesses are fully public cloud and SaaS.
The Major Cloud Providers
The cloud market is led by three U.S. companies, followed by a group of smaller and more specialized providers. The picks below draw on each provider’s published materials and independent market research, not on hands-on testing.
Market Share in Q2 2026
According to Synergy Research Group, worldwide cloud infrastructure service revenues reached about $143.4 billion in the second quarter of 2026. That figure covers IaaS, PaaS, and hosted private cloud. Growth was 43 percent year on year, the highest rate in eight years. Synergy said generative AI has been the main driver of that growth.
Provider Worldwide Share, Q2 2026 Amazon (AWS) 28% Microsoft (Azure) 20% Google (Google Cloud) 15% Source: Synergy Research Group, published July 30, 2026.
Synergy also named CoreWeave, OpenAI, Oracle, Crusoe, Nebius, Anthropic, and Nscale as the tier two providers with the highest growth. Its release did not give share figures for them. Note that these numbers do not include SaaS apps, so revenue from products such as Microsoft 365 or Salesforce sits outside them.
Provider Comparison
Rank Provider Best For Main Strengths New-Customer Free Offer 1 Amazon Web Services (AWS) The widest range of services Largest market share and service catalog Up to $200 in credits on a free plan of up to 6 months 2 Microsoft Azure Businesses that run on Microsoft Links to Windows Server, Microsoft 365, and Entra ID $200 credit for 30 days, plus free services 3 Google Cloud Data analytics and AI BigQuery, Vertex AI, and Kubernetes $300 credit for 90 days, plus 20+ free products 4 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Oracle database users Autonomous Database and a broad Always Free tier US$300 credit for 30 days, plus Always Free services 5 IBM Cloud Regulated firms and hybrid setups Red Hat OpenShift and Lite plans USD 200 for 30 days on new pay-as-you-go accounts 6 Alibaba Cloud Business in China and Asia Strong presence in Asia Free trials for verified new users. Terms vary 7 DigitalOcean Developers and small teams Simple pricing and an easy interface Offers have changed. Check the site 8 Akamai Cloud (formerly Linode) Simple servers with wide network reach Simple pricing and Akamai’s global network $100 credit for 60 days 9 Cloudflare Websites, edge apps, and security Global network and generous free plans Workers free plan of 100,000 requests a day Free offers come from each provider’s own pages in October 2026.
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS): Best Overall Range
AWS holds the largest share of the market and offers the broadest catalog of services.
Why it stands out:
- Services for almost every need, from basic servers to satellite ground stations
- A huge base of users, partners, tutorials, and trained staff
- Strong AI options, including Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker
- A free plan with up to $200 in credits: $100 at sign-up and up to $100 more as you try core services
- More than 30 services with always-free usage up to set limits
Weak points:
- The number of services and pricing options can overwhelm beginners.
- Bills can be hard to predict.
- The free plan lasts up to 6 months or until credits run out. After that, you must upgrade, or AWS suspends the account and keeps your data for 90 days before deleting it.
Best for: Teams that want the most choice and the largest pool of skilled help.
2. Microsoft Azure: Best for Microsoft-Based Businesses
Azure is number two by share. It fits naturally into companies that already use Windows, Microsoft 365, and Microsoft’s identity tools.
Why it stands out:
- Close links to Microsoft 365, Windows Server, SQL Server, and Entra ID
- Strong hybrid tools for linking on-premises servers to the cloud
- Access to OpenAI models through Microsoft’s AI services
- A $200 credit to use within 30 days, 20+ popular services free for 12 months for new customers, and 65+ always-free services
Weak points:
- Licensing and pricing can be complex.
- Product names change often, which makes older guides confusing.
- The trial credit expires after only 30 days.
Best for: Organizations already built on Microsoft software.
3. Google Cloud: Best for Data and AI
Google Cloud is the third-largest provider. It is known for analytics, AI, and container tools. Google created Kubernetes.
Why it stands out:
- BigQuery, a widely used data warehouse
- Vertex AI and Google’s own AI chips
- Strong Kubernetes support through Google Kubernetes Engine
- A $300 credit for 90 days, plus a Free Tier of 20+ products with no end date
Weak points:
- Smaller market share than AWS and Azure
- The free trial blocks GPUs and quota increases.
- Some Free Tier offers apply only in three U.S. regions.
Best for: Data-heavy projects, analytics teams, and AI work.
4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI): Best for Oracle Workloads
Oracle is a natural home for companies that run Oracle databases and business apps. Synergy lists it among the fastest-growing tier two providers.
Why it stands out:
- Autonomous Database, which handles many routine database tasks
- Oracle database services also offered inside other major clouds
- A US$300 credit for up to 30 days
- Always Free services with no time limit, including Arm-based Ampere A1 compute, AMD compute, block and object storage, and Autonomous Database
Weak points:
- A smaller range of services and partners than the top three
- Most useful if you already use Oracle software
Best for: Oracle customers and anyone who wants a strong always-free tier for learning.
5. IBM Cloud: Best for Regulated and Hybrid Setups
IBM focuses on large enterprises, regulated industries, and hybrid cloud through its Red Hat software.
Why it stands out:
- Red Hat OpenShift for running containers across clouds and data centers
- The watsonx AI platform
- USD 200 of free use for 30 days on first-time pay-as-you-go accounts
- More than 40 Lite plans that never expire and cannot be charged
Weak points:
- A credit card is required up front.
- Lite instances are deleted after 30 days without activity.
- A smaller catalog than the top three
Best for: Banks, insurers, and other enterprises with strict rules or hybrid needs.
6. Alibaba Cloud: Best for China and Asia
Alibaba Cloud is a China-based provider with a strong presence across Asia.
Why it stands out:
- Local infrastructure and support for doing business in China
- A full range of compute, storage, database, and AI services, including its Qwen AI models
- Free trial benefits for new users
Weak points:
- Free trials require real-name verification.
- Some organizations face rules or policies that limit using a China-based provider.
Best for: Companies selling into China or across Asia.
7. DigitalOcean: Best for Simplicity
DigitalOcean aims at developers, startups, and small teams. It now calls itself an AI-native cloud.
Why it stands out:
- A clean interface that is easy to learn
- Simple, predictable monthly pricing for virtual servers, called Droplets
- Managed databases, Kubernetes, and storage without the complexity of larger clouds
Weak points:
- A much smaller range of services than the big three
- Its trial offers have changed over time. A third-party price tracker listed basic Droplets from $4 a month in March 2026, but confirm current prices on DigitalOcean’s site.
Best for: Small sites, side projects, and developers who value simplicity.
8. Akamai Cloud (Formerly Linode): Best for Simple Servers With Wide Reach
Linode is now part of Akamai, one of the largest content delivery networks.
Why it stands out:
- Simple virtual servers and storage
- Access to Akamai’s global network
- A $100 credit for new customers, valid for 60 days
- Business customers can apply for up to $5,000 in credits
Weak points:
- Trial credit excludes GPU plans.
- A payment method is required.
- A narrower service range than the major clouds
Best for: Developers who want simple pricing and global delivery.
9. Cloudflare: Best for Websites and Edge Apps
Cloudflare began as a security and content delivery network and now offers a developer platform that runs code close to users.
Why it stands out:
- Cloudflare Workers, a serverless platform that runs in its global network
- A Workers free plan with 100,000 requests a day
- A paid Workers plan that starts at $5 a month and includes 10 million requests
- Strong DDoS protection and website security tools
Weak points:
- Not a full replacement for a general-purpose cloud
- The free plan allows only 10 milliseconds of CPU time per request, which limits heavy tasks.
Best for: Websites, APIs, and light apps that need speed and security.
Common Cloud Services by Category
Each provider uses its own names for similar products. This table maps the main categories across the big three.
Category What It Does AWS Microsoft Azure Google Cloud Compute Virtual servers EC2 Virtual Machines Compute Engine Serverless Runs code on demand Lambda Azure Functions Cloud Run Containers Runs Kubernetes clusters EKS AKS GKE Object storage Stores files and backups S3 Blob Storage Cloud Storage Relational databases SQL databases RDS, Aurora Azure SQL Database Cloud SQL, Spanner NoSQL databases Flexible, fast data stores DynamoDB Cosmos DB Firestore, Bigtable Networking Private networks and content delivery VPC, CloudFront Virtual Network, Front Door VPC, Cloud CDN AI Models and AI building tools Bedrock, SageMaker Azure AI services Vertex AI Analytics Data warehouses and queries Redshift, Athena Microsoft Fabric BigQuery Security and identity Access control and threat detection IAM, GuardDuty Entra ID, Defender for Cloud Cloud IAM, Security Command Center A few terms in plain English:
- Compute is processing power. You rent virtual machines, containers, or functions.
- Object storage holds files of any kind, from photos to backups, and is very cheap per gigabyte. Block storage acts like a hard drive attached to a server. File storage acts like a shared network drive.
- Databases store structured data. Managed databases handle backups, patches, and failover for you.
- Networking connects your resources, keeps them private, and speeds up delivery to users through content delivery networks.
- Analytics tools let you query large amounts of data without running your own servers.
- Security tools control who can access what and watch for threats.
How Cloud Pricing Works
Most cloud computing services charge by use. But there are several ways to pay, and the choice can change your bill a great deal.
Pricing Model How It Works Best For Watch Out For Pay as you go Pay per second, hour, request, or gigabyte, with no commitment New projects and uneven workloads The highest unit price Reserved instances, savings plans, or committed use Commit to a set amount of use, often for one or three years, for a discount Steady, predictable workloads You pay even if you stop using it Spot or preemptible capacity Spare capacity at a deep discount that the provider can reclaim at short notice Batch jobs, testing, and tasks that can restart Sudden interruptions Free tiers and credits Limited free use or trial credit Learning and prototypes Charges once limits or credits run out Fixed monthly plans A flat price per server or plan Small sites and simple apps Less flexibility Free Tiers at a Glance
These details come from each provider’s own pages in October 2026.
Provider Trial Credit Always-Free or Long-Term Offer Key Conditions AWS Up to $200 30+ services with always-free usage up to limits Free plan lasts up to 6 months or until credits run out Microsoft Azure $200 for 30 days 20+ services free for 12 months, 65+ always-free services Move to pay as you go to keep the account Google Cloud $300 for 90 days 20+ products, including one e2-micro VM a month in three U.S. regions, 5 GB-months of Cloud Storage, and 1 TiB of BigQuery queries a month No GPUs during the trial Oracle Cloud US$300 for 30 days Always Free compute, storage, and Autonomous Database Always Free has no time limit IBM Cloud USD 200 for 30 days 40+ Lite plans that never expire First-time pay-as-you-go accounts only Akamai Cloud $100 for 60 days None stated New customers only, GPUs excluded Cloudflare None Workers: 100,000 requests a day Paid Workers plan from $5 a month Alibaba Cloud and DigitalOcean also run new-user offers, but we could not confirm current amounts from their own pages. Check before you sign up.
Hidden Costs to Watch
- Data transfer out. Moving data out of a cloud to the internet usually costs money, while moving it in is often free.
- Idle resources. Servers, disks, and IP addresses you forgot to delete keep billing.
- Snapshots and backups. Old copies pile up.
- Logs and monitoring. Large log volumes can cost more than the app itself.
- Premium support. Fast help usually costs extra.
- AI usage. AI models often charge per token or per request, and heavy use adds up fast.
Benefits of the Cloud
The main appeal of cloud computing services is that you trade large upfront costs for a monthly bill that tracks your use.
- Low start-up cost. No hardware to buy.
- Speed. New servers or apps take minutes, not weeks.
- Scale. Add capacity for busy periods and remove it after.
- Reach. Run apps in data centers around the world.
- Reliability tools. Backups, multiple zones, and disaster recovery are built in.
- Access to new technology. AI models, analytics, and security tools that would be costly to build yourself.
- Remote work. Staff can reach files and apps from anywhere.
Health care, retail, and finance are just a few of the fields Benefiting From Modern Cloud Tech, from shared patient records to online stores that scale for holiday traffic.
Risks and Drawbacks
The cloud is not right for every task, and it brings its own problems.
Cost Overruns
Pay as you go cuts both ways. A test server left running, a bug that loops, or a sudden traffic spike can produce a surprise bill. Set budgets and alerts on day one. AWS, for example, lets paid-plan customers set an optional monthly spend limit.
Vendor Lock-In
The more you use one provider’s special services, the harder it is to leave. Moving large amounts of data out costs money, and code written for one platform’s tools may need rework. Open standards, such as containers and Kubernetes, reduce this risk.
Outages
Large providers are very reliable, but not perfect. When a major region has problems, thousands of sites and apps can fail at once. Spread important systems across more than one zone or region, keep backups somewhere else, and know what you will do if your main provider goes down.
Data Sovereignty
Laws in many countries control where personal data may be stored and who can access it. The European Union’s GDPR is the best-known example. Choose regions that match your legal needs, and read where your provider may move or copy data.
The Shared Responsibility Model
Providers secure the cloud itself. You secure what you put in it. Many breaches come from customer mistakes, such as a storage bucket left open to the public.
Responsibility IaaS PaaS SaaS Physical data centers and hardware Provider Provider Provider Operating system and patches You Provider Provider Application code You You Provider Data You You You User accounts and access You You You Settings and configuration You You You The pattern is simple. The more the provider manages, the less you patch. But your data, your users, and your settings are always yours to protect.
Security and Compliance Basics
You do not need to be a security expert to cover the basics.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication for every account, especially the main admin account.
- Give each person only the access they need.
- Do not use the root or owner account for daily work.
- Encrypt data at rest and in transit. Most providers make this easy or turn it on by default.
- Turn on logging and review alerts.
- Keep backups, and test that you can restore them.
- Check for public storage buckets and open ports.
- Set budget alerts, since a surprise bill can also signal a hacked account.
Large providers hold many compliance certifications. These cover their part of the stack, not your setup.
Standard What It Covers SOC 2 Controls for security, availability, and privacy at service companies ISO/IEC 27001 An international standard for information security management PCI DSS Rules for handling payment card data HIPAA U.S. rules for protecting health information FedRAMP U.S. federal government security requirements for cloud services GDPR EU rules for personal data If your business falls under one of these, ask the provider for its compliance reports and check which services are covered.
How to Choose a Provider
There is no single best cloud. The right one depends on what you already use and what you need to build.
If You… Consider Want the widest choice and the biggest talent pool AWS Run Microsoft 365, Windows Server, or SQL Server Microsoft Azure Focus on data analytics, AI, or Kubernetes Google Cloud Run Oracle databases or want a strong always-free tier Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Work in a regulated industry with hybrid needs IBM Cloud Sell mainly into China or Asia Alibaba Cloud Want simple servers and easy pricing DigitalOcean or Akamai Cloud Need fast, secure websites and edge apps Cloudflare Ask these questions before you commit:
- Which services do you need? Make a short list, and confirm each provider offers them in your region.
- What skills does your team have? Training costs money and time.
- Where must your data live? Check region options against your legal needs.
- What will it cost? Use each provider’s pricing calculator with real estimates, including data transfer.
- What support do you get? Compare support plans and response times.
- Which compliance reports do you need? Ask for them early.
- How would you leave? Plan an exit, even if you never use it.
How a Small Business Can Get Started
Small firms rarely need every option. Start with the cloud computing services that solve a clear problem, then grow from there.
- List your needs. Email, file sharing, accounting, a website, backups, or a custom app.
- Start with SaaS. Tools such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace cover email, documents, and storage with no servers to run.
- Pick one main platform. If you already use Microsoft tools, Azure is a natural fit. If you use Google Workspace, Google Cloud may be. For a simple website or app, DigitalOcean, Akamai Cloud, or Cloudflare may be enough.
- Use the free tier to learn. Build a small test project with trial credits before you spend real money.
- Secure the account first. Turn on multi-factor authentication and create separate user accounts before you build anything.
- Set a budget alert. Pick a monthly limit and get an email when you approach it.
- Back up your data. Keep at least one copy outside your main provider.
- Review costs every month. Delete what you do not use, and look at reserved pricing once your use is steady.
If you lack in-house skills, a managed service provider or a certified partner can set things up for a fee. Ask for clear pricing and make sure you keep the admin access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cloud computing in simple terms? It means renting computing power, storage, and software over the internet instead of owning it, and paying for what you use.
What are the types of cloud computing services? The three main types are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Serverless functions, managed containers, and AI services are now common types too.
Which cloud provider is the biggest? AWS. Synergy Research Group put its worldwide share at 28 percent in Q2 2026, ahead of Microsoft at 20 percent and Google at 15 percent.
Is the cloud cheaper than owning servers? Often for small or changing workloads. For large, steady workloads, owned hardware or reserved pricing can cost less. Compare real numbers.
Is the cloud safe? Major providers invest heavily in security, but you are still responsible for your data, users, and settings. Most problems come from setup mistakes.
What is the difference between public and private cloud? A public cloud is shared by many customers and run by a provider. A private cloud serves one organization only.
What is multicloud? Using two or more public cloud providers, often to pick the best service for each job or to reduce reliance on one vendor.
Can I use the cloud for free? Yes, within limits. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, IBM, and Cloudflare all offer free tiers or trial credits.
What is serverless computing? A way to run code without managing servers. The provider runs your code only when needed and charges by use.
What happens if my provider has an outage? Your apps may stop working in the affected region. Spreading systems across zones or regions and keeping outside backups reduces the impact.
Final Thoughts
Cloud computing services have changed how almost every business runs. Instead of buying servers, you rent what you need, scale it up or down, and pay by use. IaaS gives you control, PaaS and serverless save you work, and SaaS gives you finished tools. AWS, Microsoft, and Google lead the market, while Oracle, IBM, Alibaba, and smaller players such as DigitalOcean, Akamai Cloud, and Cloudflare serve specific needs.
The cloud also brings real risks: surprise bills, lock-in, outages, and data rules. Start small, use free tiers to learn, secure your accounts from day one, and set budget alerts. Choose the provider that fits the tools and skills you already have, and review your costs each month.
Key Takeaways
- Cloud computing services let you rent computing power, storage, and software over the internet and pay only for what you use.
- NIST defines the cloud by five traits: on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service.
- The main service models are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with serverless, containers, and AI services now widely used.
- Deployment models include public, private, hybrid, community, and multicloud.
- In Q2 2026, Synergy Research Group put AWS at 28 percent of the market, Microsoft at 20 percent, and Google at 15 percent.
- Pricing options include pay as you go, reserved or committed use, spot capacity, and free tiers, and offers change often.
- Under the shared responsibility model, you always protect your own data, users, and settings.
