Which cloud platforms are most widely used by companies?

The most widely used public cloud platforms are:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
2. Microsoft Azure
3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

AWS and Azure are the closest competitors; Google Cloud is generally third. In Flexera’s 2025 survey, AWS and Azure were nearly tied when counting organizations using either for “some” or “significant” workloads, while Google Cloud held third place. (flexera.com)

By global cloud infrastructure spending, AWS led in Q4 2025 with 28% market share, followed by Azure at 21% and Google Cloud at 14%. (srgresearch.com)

Oracle Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Alibaba Cloud are also used, especially in particular industries or regions, but they’re less widely adopted overall. Many companies use more than one provider rather than choosing just one.

The three largest providers are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. Together they hold most of the market, though the exact shares vary by source.

Market share (infrastructure spending):

• AWS is the leader. One Synergy Research estimate puts it at 28 percent in the first quarter of 2026, ahead of Microsoft's Azure platform at 21 percent and Google Cloud at 14 percent. Other trackers put AWS closer to 30%, so the figure depends on the methodology.
• Microsoft Azure is second. Its share is about 20–25% depending on the source, and it is growing quickly. One source notes that Azure is at ~23-25% and growing fastest, driven by Microsoft 365 integration, an exclusive OpenAI partnership, and the most compliance certifications of any provider.
• Google Cloud is third, at roughly 11–15%. It has grown fastest in percentage terms, and it is strongest in data analytics, machine learning, and Kubernetes.

Combined, the big three account for roughly two-thirds of spending. One analysis says AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud together hold roughly 63 to 68 percent of the global market, per Synergy Research Group. Behind them, Alibaba Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and IBM Cloud make up the next tier.

Enterprise adoption: Market share measures spending, not how many companies use each platform. A Flexera survey of cloud decision makers found that AWS 53%, Microsoft Azure 46%, Google Cloud Platform 19% of respondents run significant workloads on each. That suggests AWS and Azure are the most common choices for business workloads, with Google Cloud well behind.

Which one fits best depends on the workload. AWS has the broadest set of services, Azure integrates closely with Microsoft 365 and enterprise Windows tools, and Google Cloud is often chosen for data analytics and AI.

As of 2026, the cloud infrastructure market is dominated by three major providers, often referred to as the "Big Three" hyperscalers. These platforms collectively account for approximately 63–68% of global enterprise cloud spending.

The Big Three Hyperscalers

These providers are the most widely used by companies of all sizes, from startups to large global enterprises.

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Remains the global market leader with approximately 28–30% market share. It is favored for its extensive catalog of over 240 managed services, deep maturity, and massive global reach. It is often considered the "default" choice for many organizations, particularly those needing complex migration solutions or specialized AI infrastructure.
• Microsoft Azure: Holds roughly 20–25% of the market and is recognized as one of the fastest-growing major platforms. It is the preferred choice for many traditional enterprises, largely due to its seamless integration with the existing Microsoft ecosystem (Windows Server, Office 365, etc.) and strong hybrid cloud capabilities.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Holds about 14% of the market. It is highly regarded for its strengths in data analytics, machine learning, and AI-powered workloads. Many organizations leverage Google Cloud specifically for its Kubernetes-driven orchestration and advanced AI/data tools.

Other Notable Providers

While the Big Three control the majority of the market, other providers serve significant niches:

• Oracle Cloud: Increasingly popular for businesses already heavily invested in Oracle databases and enterprise applications.
• IBM Cloud: Frequently chosen by large enterprises for specific industry-focused solutions and high-security requirements.
• Alibaba Cloud: Maintains a significant presence, particularly in Asian markets.
• Developer-Focused/Specialized Platforms: Providers like DigitalOcean are widely used by small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups that prioritize simplicity and predictable billing over the vast complexity of the larger hyperscalers.

Key Trends in 2026

• The AI Boom: Artificial intelligence is the primary driver of cloud growth. Companies are heavily prioritizing providers that offer the best "value per dollar" for AI infrastructure, including GPU/TPU availability and specialized AI-training tools.
• Multi-Cloud Strategy: Most enterprises today do not rely on a single platform. It is increasingly common for large organizations to use a multi-cloud strategy, utilizing two or more of the major providers to avoid vendor lock-in, manage costs, and take advantage of the specific strengths of each platform.

The most widely used company cloud platforms are:

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS) — used by 83% of respondents running some or significant cloud workloads in Flexera’s 2026 survey.
2. Microsoft Azure — close behind at 79%.
3. Google Cloud — third, at a notable distance behind AWS and Azure.
4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and IBM Cloud — used by smaller shares of companies.

The percentages reflect usage in a survey of cloud decision-makers, not each provider’s share of total cloud spending. ¹²

In short: AWS and Azure lead, with Google Cloud the next most common choice. Many companies use more than one provider: Flexera reported that 88% of surveyed organizations use a multi-cloud approach. ¹