Top 7 Cloud Development Platforms to Consider for Your Project in 2024

The cloud's dominance is undeniable. According to theDeloitte Future of Cloud Survey, over 90% of companies globally consider cloud computing essential for business growth, digital transformation, and staying competitive.

This trend undoubtedly extends to application development. However, with a vast array of cloud development platforms available, selecting the right one for your project can be challenging.

Therefore, we’ve come up with this post to simplify the process of choosing the best cloud-based platform for you.

Here, we’ll discuss the top 7 cloud-based development platforms that are not only popular in the market but also have impressive capabilities.

So, whether you’re building a web app, a mobile app, or something else entirely, these cloud app development platforms can help you get your applications up and running swiftly.

On that note, let’s get into this and explore what these top cloud platforms are.

What is a Cloud-Based Development Platform?

A cloud development platform (CDP) is a cloud-based service that assists app developers in creating, deploying, and managing cloud applications.

Cloud development platforms offer several powerful tools to speed up the app development process, offering features such as automated deployment, cloud storage, scaling on demand, and more.

With their improved agility, scalability, and affordability, these platforms are becoming increasingly popular among IT teams.

Businesses using a cloud platform can remotely access a wide range of pay-per-use computing services, including databases, servers, analytics, storage, intelligence, networking, and software.

They don’t have to develop and own computing infrastructure or data centers. They only pay for the services they use.

Let’s understand more about how cloud application development platforms help businesses in app development in the next section.

Role of a Cloud Development Platform in App Development

The cloud development platform allows businesses to create and test applications, as well as store, retrieve, analyze, and back up data.

These platforms offer a variety of features that empower app developers to build apps faster and more efficiently.

Here’s a closer look at why a cloud-based platform is essential for app development projects:

Visual Development Tools: Cloud development platforms often come with drag-and-drop interfaces and a library of pre-built components, which means developers don’t need to hand-code everything.

This enables developers to assemble apps and significantly reduce coding requirements visually.

Integration Capabilities: CDPs integrate seamlessly with various data sources and services, this means developers can easily connect their applications to existing databases, application programming interfaces (APIs), and other tools and save a lot of time and effort.

Scalability and Elasticity: Using a cloud platform app development, you won’t have to worry about application crashes during peak usage. CDPs leverage the power of the cloud and offer automatic resource scaling.

When your application experiences a surge in demand, the platform automatically scales up to meet those needs. On the other hand, during low-traffic periods, it scales back to ensure optimal resource utilization and cost-efficiency.

Deployment Automation: CDPs streamline the deployment process by offering automated deployment tools.

Developers can get their applications from development to production much faster and focus on building innovative features rather than worrying about deployment complexities.

Recommended Read: The Complete Guide to Cloud Application Development in 2024

7 Best Cloud Development Platforms for 2024

When you start searching for CDPs you’ll find that there are plenty of cloud platforms in the market.

The services offered by these platforms range from complete app development frameworks to computing services, such as virtual desktops, servers, and storage.

However, below we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best cloud development platforms that are most promising in 2024:

1. AWS Cloud9

As a leader in cloud services today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) continues to dominate the market with its vast infrastructure, extensive suite of offerings, constant innovation, and diverse services.

AWS Cloud9 is a native integrated development environment (IDE), that allows developers to write and test code right in their browser. It’s extremely popular because of its impressive collaboration capabilities.

Many choose this cloud platform because of its ease of collaboration and ability to work with teams from anywhere.

Multiple developers can work on the same codebase simultaneously, making it an ideal platform for team-based cloud app development projects.

The standout features of the AWS cloud platform include:

• Cloud-based IDE

• Pre-configured development environments

• Code editing and debugging

• Integrated terminal

• Collaboration features

• Customization

• Integration with AWS services

You Might Also Like: Top 5 Cloud Services for Database as a Service

2. Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure has made its position as one of the most preferred cloud development platforms for many businesses.

Azure’s seamless integration with Microsoft’s software stack and strong focus on business needs, such as hybrid cloud capabilities, make it a compelling option for a wide array of enterprises.

The platform provides app developers with everything they need to create robust and secure cloud applications without worrying about infrastructure management.

Azure's offerings include a comprehensive suite of cloud services, advanced AI capabilities, global scalability, integration options, and robust security measures.

Key Features:

• Computer Services

• Storage Services 

• Networking Services

• Management Services

• Database Services 

• Analytics Services 

• Integration Services

3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) stands out as one of the best cloud-based development platforms with its data analytics and machine learning services, capitalizing on Google’s leadership in AI.

The platform’s strength in containerization and open-source technologies appeals to developers looking for a highly scalable and reliable cloud platform.

GCP’s ecosystem includes a 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.

Key Features:

• Compute Engine

• Cloud Storage 

• Cloud Functions 

• Cloud SQL 

• BigQuery

• Cloud AI Platform 

• Kubernetes Engine

4. DigitalOcean

Another top cloud app development platform, DigitalOcean is a developer-friendly cloud platform popular for its simplicity and ease of use.

The platform mainly caters to developers, startups, and small to medium-sized businesses, providing comprehensive cloud services, including Droplets (virtual machines), Kubernetes clusters, and managed databases.

Aside from its user-friendly interface, DigitalOcean is known for its predictable pricing and focus on simplicity. This makes it an attractive option for those new to cloud computing.

The focus on community support and comprehensive documentation further enhances its appeal, allowing app developers to deploy and manage applications quickly without the usual complexities of larger cloud providers.

Key Features:

• Simple Control Panel

• Droplets (Virtual Machines)

• Block Storage

• Cloud Firewalls

• Developer-Friendly Features

• Multiple Datacenters

• Competitive Pricing

Read the Latest: What Describes The Relationship Between Edge Computing and Cloud Computing?

5. Oracle Cloud

Oracle Cloud is another one of the most used cloud development platforms. The platform offers a range of services, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).

This cloud application development service provides a robust and secure environment for building and deploying applications.

Apart from its comprehensive suite of services, its easy integration with existing Oracle services also makes it the best database management and app deployment choice for businesses.

Key Features:

• Enterprise-grade scalability

• Computing

• Storage

• Networking

• Databases

• AI/ML

• Container Engine 

• Identity and Security 

• Cloud Management

6. IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud, acquired by IBM in 2013 is a robust and versatile cloud-based development platform.

The cloud computing platform sets itself apart for its industry-focused approach, offering specialized solutions such as blockchain, edge computing, and quantum computing.

With a solid focus on security, hybrid cloud, and AI-driven automation tools, IBM caters to businesses with intricate needs.

The commitment to fulfilling specific industry needs and stringent compliance measures make IBM Cloud an appealing choice for developers.

Also, its global network of data centers and focus on sustainability initiatives solidify its position as a reliable cloud service provider for businesses looking for tailored cloud solutions.

Key Features:

• Bare Metal Servers

• Virtual Servers

• Containers 

• Cloud Databases 

• Cloud Storage

• Networking

• AI & Machine Learning

• Blockchain Services

• Internet of Things (IoT)

• Security Services

7. SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP)

The last stop in the list of best cloud development platforms, SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) is a cloud-based platform best suited for developers who want to develop and deploy enterprise applications.

The platform offers cloud development services and tools that allow professionals to quickly build and deploy complex mobile applications, including analytics, integration, and extensibility capabilities.

Many choose SAP BTP because of its comprehensive end-to-end development lifecycle management and integration with SAP enterprise software solutions.

App developers can benefit from the robust cloud infrastructure, and industry-specific capabilities to develop applications addressing unique requirements in a particular industry.

Key Features:

• Data and Analytics

• Integration Services

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Application Development and Deployment

• Cloud-Native Architecture

• Extension of SAP Applications

• Business Process Automation

• Industry-Specific Solutions (Bonus)

Must Read: A Complete Guide on How to Develop a Secure and Feature-Rich UPI Payment App in 2024

What Should You Consider When Selecting a Cloud Development Platform

Well, now that we’ve covered some of the best cloud development platforms, you might be wondering which one is best for you or how you can choose the best the one that best suits your app development project.

Selecting the most suitable CDP is crucial for successful app development.

While there’s no single platform for all needs, you can choose the ideal platform for your project considering some key factors. Which include:

Project Requirements

In order to choose the right cloud app development platform, the first thing you need to consider is to analyze the complexity of your app and any specific functionalities and features it needs.

For example, for simple workflow automation or data visualization tools, a low-code platform with drag-and-drop functionalities might be good.

In contrast, complex enterprise applications with robust features might require a pro code cloud platform offering more development flexibility.

Team Skills

Different cloud platforms require different skill sets. While some platforms offer user-friendly interfaces and low-code options, others require deep technical expertise.

Evaluating your team's existing skills and their ability to learn new ones is crucial. Choosing a platform that aligns with your team's skillset ensures smoother development and avoids delays due to a learning curve.

Budget

Cost is a crucial consideration for businesses when evaluating cloud services. Cloud development platforms have different models and understanding these pricing plans and how they align with your budget is important.

Some platforms offer pay-as-you-go models, where you can pay only for the resources you use. Others may have fixed pricing plans based on the level of service capacity.

It’s best you carefully compare the pricing of the best cloud app development platforms and ensure the chosen platform aligns with your project budget.

Support

Reliable cloud platform support is crucial for smooth mobile app development.

Look for services that offer adequate support resources, including documentation, tutorials, and readily available customer service to help your team in case of any issues during development or deployment.

A large active community usually implies better support, resources, and third-party integrations.

Integration

Integration is another crucial aspect that you need to look at when searching for the right cloud platform service.

The platform should integrate seamlessly with your existing cloud infrastructure and services.

This will ensure efficient deployment of cloud applications and avoids data silos.

Many cloud development platforms offer pre-built connectors for popular cloud services like databases, storage solutions, and analytics platforms.

Evaluate the integration capabilities of each platform to ensure compatibility with your existing systems and applications.

So, there you have it, 7 top cloud app development platforms, and how you can select one that will suit your requirements. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Arramton Infotech.

Our cloud experts can help you not only answer your questions but also help you find the best cloud solutions for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which cloud computing platform is best?

Ans. There's no single "best" platform - it depends on your needs! Consider factors like project requirements, cost, and team skills.

Q. What are the 3 biggest cloud provider platforms?

Ans. The big three are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). They offer a wide range of cloud services.

Q. Who is AWS's biggest competitor?

Ans. Microsoft Azure is AWS's main competitor, followed by Google Cloud Platform.

Q. Which cloud is best for a startup?

Ans. Many startups favor cloud options with flexible pricing and scalability, like AWS or DigitalOcean. Consider your budget and project needs.

Q. Why is AWS better than Azure?

Ans. Both AWS and Azure are excellent platforms. AWS might be better for specific needs like storage, while Azure might excel in areas like developer tools.

Q. Does Netflix use AWS?

Ans. Yes, Netflix is a major user of AWS cloud services for streaming content globally.

Q. Which cloud platform is the most used?

Ans. Currently, AWS holds the largest market share in cloud computing.

Q. Which cloud computing model is best?

Ans. The best model depends on your needs. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) offers flexibility, while Platform as a Service (PaaS) simplifies development. Software as a Service (SaaS) provides readily available applications.