In this blog, we’re comparing the top 6 cloud infrastructure management software solutions in terms of features, positives, and negatives, to enable you to make an informed choice.

1. OpenStack

OpenStack is one of the most popular free and open-source cloud infrastructure management software platforms for cloud computing. In most cases, it is deployed as an infrastructure as a service (IaaS). 

Below are some of the top features of OpenStack –

• Automates all the important processes such as application lifecycle, networking, workload provisioning, storage, and container infrastructure
• Integrates with legacy systems and works with many open source technologies, making it suitable for heterogeneous networks
• Multi-dimensional scalability for both vertically and horizontally-distributed storage
• Enables back up and archives large amounts of data with linear performance

Pros

• Free and open source
• Supports heterogeneous networks

Cons

• Complicated documentation

2. RackWare

RackWare’s RMM software solution is a well-known name that enables enterprises to easily and cost-effectively leverage private, public, or hybrid cloud environments without having to change their applications or operating systems. 

Among the main features of RackWare  –

• Delivers robust mobility across a variety of platforms and cloud stacks with automatic resource elasticity depending upon workload demand
• Enables users to scale cost-effectively across private and public clouds without the need for any application rewrites
• Helps enterprises seamlessly migrate to the cloud, protect their workloads through back up and disaster recovery, along with managing multiple physical, virtual, and cloud environments

Pros

• Automated cloud backup and recovery
• Cloud Cost optimization features like auto parking and auto-scaling
• Cloud migration capabilities

Cons

• The software can be challenging to customize
• The UI is a bit overwhelming

3. CloudFuze

CloudFuze is another widely-used cloud management platform that allows businesses to easily manage their files using any device. The platform also offers a robust cloud migration solution that enables customers to safely access, share, and migrate massive volumes of data. 

Below are some of the other features of CloudFuze –

• Offers end-to-end cloud file and user migrations for business users, including managed migrations for big enterprises
• Offers users seamless and hassle-free access to manage files saved across multiple cloud accounts
• Features a file-sharing tool that allows teams to easily collaborate with each other irrespective of their location

Pros

• Powerful reports and analytics
• Full-content search
• Seamless synchronization

Cons

• Migration can take a while if you are migrating huge amounts of storage

4. Apache CloudStack

Apache CloudStack is specifically designed to deploy and manage large networks of virtual machines. The highlight of this software is a turnkey Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud computing platform which includes network as a service, account management, compute orchestration, open API, and resource accounting. 

Among the other features of Apache CloudStack include –

• It is an open-sourced cloud computing company that creates, manages, and deploys infrastructure cloud services
• The software can be used both by organizations running their own private clouds and public cloud computing vendors
• Apache CloudStack is designed for use by enterprises that offer on-premise cloud or hybrid solutions
• Apache CloudStack’s API is fully compatible with AWS EC2 and S3, especially suitable for hybrid cloud deployment

Pros

• Free and open-source
• AWS E2 compatible

Cons

• Not entirely customizable 

5. Scalr

Scalr offers an excellent hybrid cloud management platform designed specifically for enterprises looking to build a robust cloud strategy that doesn’t compromise on security, efficiency, or cost. 

Below are some of the other features of Scalr –

• Offers a self-service approach to cloud management that allows enterprises to keep the costs down while achieving modular infrastructure with agility
• Ensures that everything is shortly run through a dashboard that aims to simplify the overall user experience, with a single user interface and API required for managing multiple cloud platforms
• One of the key objectives of Scalr is to avoid vendor lock-in by encouraging policies that drive integration with existing systems instead of buying proprietary software

Pros

• Standardization with the aim of reducing costs
• Simplified self-service

Cons

• Some issues with documentation

Related Read: Top 8 Cloud Security Best Practices

6. Cloudability

Cloudability is a powerful cloud management platform that focuses squarely on cost optimization. Boasting of a unique approach called FinOps, it seamlessly integrates finance into the DevOps mix. 

Among some of the other features of Cloudability are –

• An excellent cloud cost management solution that offers allocation reporting, RI planner, spend monitoring, EC2 usage, and AWS cost analytics
• Ideal for enterprises looking for a solution to track, manage, and optimize their cloud costs
• Features such as cost reporting based on tags, service, data transfer, etc. along with RI utilization reports

Pros

• Continuous improvement capabilities
• Regular alerts, application dashboard to provide a clear picture of the cloud services cost
• Visualization and allocation capabilities

Cons

• The overall cost is not suitable for small-scale businesses
• There are some issues with sharing personal data

Also Read: Best Practices in Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)