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Cloud resource management software centralizes control over your cloud-based resources, simplifying management tasks. It offers the benefit of improved visibility and control over your cloud infrastructure.

However, finding the right cloud resource management software for your business can be challenging. After reviewing dozens of project management software, I can confidently guide you to the best options to help you discover the best fit for you and your team. 

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We’ve been testing and reviewing project management software since 2012. As digital project managers, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. 

We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different project management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our review methodology.

How to Choose Cloud Resource Management Software

As you work through your unique software selection process, remember the following points.

  • Scalability: Your chosen cloud resource management software should grow with your business. The ability to scale resources without significant downtime or cost is crucial for startups and expanding companies. 
  • Integration Capabilities: The software solution should also integrate well with existing systems. Businesses with a complex ecosystem of planning tools need software that can easily connect with other applications. 
  • Cost Efficiency: Before buying any software, evaluate its pricing structure. Organizations must consider the initial cost and long-term expenses associated with the software. 
  • Security Features: Companies handling sensitive data, such as healthcare institutions, require software that complies with industry regulations and protects patient information with advanced security protocols.
  • User-Friendly Interface: A user-friendly interface is essential for quick adoption and minimal training. For example, a non-profit with limited IT staff will need software that volunteers can easily navigate without extensive technical knowledge.

Best Cloud Resource Management Software Reviews

Each of the following reviews will cover the pros and cons, pricing, and features and integrations to help you choose the software that best fits your organizational needs and goals.

Best for unified monitoring

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $15/user/month (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.3/5

Datadog is a cloud-based monitoring service for scaling applications. Its observability platform makes it best for unified monitoring.

Why I picked Datadog:

Datadog provides scalable monitoring capabilities that cater to modern infrastructure needs. Its unified platform stands out by providing visibility across applications, networks, and infrastructure in one place. Datadog aggregates data from various sources, offering a single pane of glass for operational insights.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include infrastructure monitoring, network performance monitoring, container monitoring, and cloud cost management. Additionally, it offers log management, application performance monitoring, database monitoring, and security features like software composition analysis and cloud security management.

Integrations include Amazon Web Services, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, Red Hat OpenShift, Pivotal Platform, OpenAI, SAP, and OpenTelemetry.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly and accessible interface to view project timelines
  • Wide range of integrations with popular cloud services and platforms
  • Ability to monitor across applications, networks, and infrastructure

Cons:

  • Complex setup and configuration processes
  • Training may be necessary to fully leverage the platform's capabilities

Best for technology intelligence

  • Pricing upon request

Snow Software provides visibility and manageability across cloud resources, enabling organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure. Due to its approach to managing and optimizing IT assets, it stands out as the best for technology intelligence.

Why I picked Snow Software:

Snow Software’s technology intelligence capabilities differentiate it from other cloud resource management tools. Its ability to provide deep insights into IT operations makes it an invaluable asset for organizations seeking control over technology investments. Snow Software empowers businesses with the data needed to make informed decisions about their cloud environments and software assets.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated discovery of IT assets, optimization of cloud spend, and management of software licenses across various environments. Its platform gives IT leaders a clear view of their technology landscape.

Integrations include Microsoft Azure, AWS, VMware, Oracle, SAP, IBM, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Citrix, and Jira.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Effective governance and cost management capabilities
  • Automated IT asset discovery
  • In-depth visibility into cloud and software assets

Cons:

  • May be more suited for larger organizations with extensive IT assets
  • Potential complexity in deployment and integration

Best for scalable Kubernetes management

  • Pricing upon request

Spectro Cloud Palette is a Kubernetes management platform designed to handle Kubernetes clusters at scale. It provides scalable Kubernetes management across various environments, including data centers, the cloud, and at the edge.

Why I Picked Spectro Cloud Palette:

I chose Spectro Cloud Palette for its ability to manage Kubernetes clusters across diverse environments. Its decentralized architecture and lifecycle management features make it stand out from other Kubernetes management tools. Other standout features include declarative management, decentralized policy enforcement, and support for multiple environments.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include declarative management across the full Kubernetes stack, a decentralized architecture for scaling thousands of clusters, and complete lifecycle control with simplified patching, upgrades, and security scans. It also supports various deployment options and environments, such as bare metal, cloud IaaS, and edge computing.

Integrations include AWS EKS, EC2, VMware, Azure AKS, Google GKE, KubeVirt, Jenkins, Prometheus, Grafana, and Istio.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive life cycle control
  • Decentralized architecture
  • Declarative management

Cons:

  • Requires Kubernetes expertise
  • Complex initial setup

Best for software and IoT solutions

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Flexera offers a cloud management platform for software and IoT solutions. It’s recognized for its capabilities in discovery, provisioning, orchestration, monitoring, governance, and cost optimization across various cloud environments.

Why I picked Flexera:

Flexera’s features cater to the complexities of managing software and IoT solutions in the cloud. Its ability to provide full visibility and control over cloud resources makes it stand out from other cloud resource management solutions. Flexera also offers an orchestration engine, customizable policies, and a focus on cost optimization and governance.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include software license optimization, vulnerability management, asset discovery, spend optimization, cloud cost management, SaaS management, hardware asset management, contract management, compliance management, and lifecycle management.

Integrations include AWS, Microsoft Azure, VMware, Oracle, SAP, IBM Cloud, Salesforce, ServiceNow, BMC, and Jira

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable policies for governance of costs, operations, security, and compliance
  • Powerful orchestration engine that automates actions across cloud servers and services
  • Comprehensive capabilities for managing software and IoT solutions in the cloud

Cons:

  • Limited mobile accessibility
  • Steeper than average learning curve

Best for infrastructure automation

  • Free plan available
  • From $0.00014/hour/resource

Terraform by HashiCorp is a tool that enables infrastructure as code for efficient cloud resource management. It allows users to define and provision infrastructure using a high-level configuration language.

Why I picked Terraform by HashiCorp:

Terraform’s infrastructure-as-code approach differentiates it from other cloud resource management software. It enables users to manage complex infrastructures with ease and precision. Terraform allows for consistent and reproducible infrastructure deployments across various cloud platforms.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include declarative configuration files for infrastructure management, execution plans that show what Terraform will do before any changes are made, and resource graph creation for understanding resource relationships. 

Integrations with AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Kubernetes, GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Advanced features for complex infrastructure management, such as state management and collaboration tools
  • Free tier available for small-scale use or individual learning
  • Multi-cloud support enables management across different cloud environments

Cons:

  • Some advanced features may require additional support or expertise to utilize fully
  • Performance issues with larger deployments and spreadsheets

Best for data security and cyber recovery

  • Pricing upon request.

Rubrik is a cloud data management platform that simplifies backup, recovery, and data governance across data centers and clouds. Rubrik stands out due to features designed to protect against ransomware and other threats.

Why I picked Rubrik:

Rubrik’s secure-by-design platform ensures that it cannot be altered once backup data is written, providing a solid defense against ransomware. It safeguards sensitive data and delivers rapid recovery and threat containment. Additionally, Its intuitive user interface simplifies the complex processes of data management, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include SLA automation, rapid recovery with near-zero RTOs, and API-first integration. It also provides anomaly detection and threat monitoring as part of its data threat analytics.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Rubrik Cloud Vault, Microsoft Sentinel, Atlassian, VMware, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and SAP HANA.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive data threat analytics
  • Rapid recovery capabilities
  • Secure-by-design platform

Cons:

  • Requires a personalized demo for detailed pricing and feature understanding
  • May be complex for small businesses

Best for community-driven cloud computing

  • Free plan available
  • Open source project and Available for free

Apache CloudStack is a versatile IaaS cloud computing platform that automates the deployment of cloud resources. It offers features that cater to various cloud environments and is supported by a proactive community.

Why I picked Apache CloudStack:

Apache CloudStack sets itself apart from other cloud resource management software with its features and support for diverse deployment scenarios. It provides a community-driven alternative to proprietary cloud solutions, granting organizations more control over their cloud infrastructure.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include compute orchestration, Network-as-a-Service, and user and account management. It offers a user-friendly web interface, RESTful API, and CLI for simplified management. The platform's hypervisor-agnostic nature supports VMware, KVM, XenServer, and XCP-ng.

Integrations include VMware vSphere, Oracle VM, KVM, XenServer, Xen Cloud Platform (XCP), oVirt, Nuage Networks VSP, F5 BigIP, Palo Alto Networks Firewall, SolidFire, and NexentaStor.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Rich API and integration capabilities
  • Broad hypervisor and infrastructure support
  • Open-source with no vendor lock-in

Cons:

  • Variable community support responsiveness
  • Technical expertise needed for deployment

Best for automated cloud cost optimization

  • From $57/user/month (billed annually)

Harness Cloud Cost Management is a tool designed to automate cloud cost optimization. According to the company, it helps organizations save up to 70% on cloud bills through intelligent automation and detailed cost visibility.

Why I Picked Harness Cloud Cost Management:

I chose Harness Cloud Cost Management for its automation capabilities. The tool's ability to dynamically manage idle resources and provide granular cost visibility makes it a top choice. Harness Cloud Cost Management stands out because it offers features like dynamic idle resource detection and remediation. For example, it can automatically shut down idle cloud resources and bring them back when needed.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated cost optimization, granular cost reporting, and governance-as-code for managing cloud assets. 

Integrations include AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Kubernetes, Datadog, Splunk, New Relic, PagerDuty, Slack, and Jira.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Governance-as-code
  • Granular cost visibility
  • Automated cost optimization

Cons:

  • Limited to supported cloud providers
  • May require initial setup time

Best for hybrid cloud operations

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

Morpheus Data offers hybrid cloud operations by providing a unified management console that simplifies the complexities of running applications across multiple clouds.

Why I picked Morpheus Data:

Morpheus Data distinguishes itself through its agility and control across various cloud environments. It delivers a single platform that simplifies the management of diverse cloud landscapes, ensuring control at an enterprise level. Its capabilities in automation, self-service provisioning, and cost optimization make it a standout choice for organizations looking to manage their cloud resources while driving down operational costs.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a self-service engine, orchestration capabilities, and centralized control over private and public clouds. It has over 100 integrations, enabling rapid application deployment and management.

Integrations include VMware, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Kubernetes, ServiceNow, Ansible, Chef, Puppet, Git, and Jenkins.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Closes security gaps efficiently
  • Speeds up provisioning times
  • Reduces cloud costs significantly

Cons:

  • May require technical expertise for deployment and management
  • Geared towards larger enterprises

Best for cloud management and governance

  • Free trial available
  • From $99/user/month (billed annually)

CloudCheckr is a cloud management system that provides visibility, analytics, and automation for cloud governance.

Why I picked CloudCheckr:

CloudCheckr’s features cater to large enterprises and managed service providers. Its ability to manage and reduce cloud costs, optimize resource management processes, and ensure governance makes it stand out. CloudCheckr’s visibility across cloud environments and automation of best practices help companies improve security and compliance.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include cost reporting, cost intelligence, and cloud billing. It also provides continuous security and compliance tools. 

Integrations include AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, VMware, Oracle Cloud, IBM Cloud, Docker, Kubernetes, and Chef.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Cost optimization and reporting features
  • Continuous security and compliance monitoring
  • Comprehensive cloud management and governance capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited customization options for reports and dashboards
  • Complex user interface

Best Cloud Resource Management Software Summary

We’ve investigated the pricing and availability of free trials and demo versions so you can make a much simpler side-by-side comparison.

Tools Price
Datadog From $15/user/month (billed annually)
Snow Software Pricing upon request
Spectro Cloud Palette Pricing upon request
Flexera Pricing upon request
Terraform by HashiCorp From $0.00014/hour/resource
Rubrik Pricing upon request.
Apache CloudStack Open source project and Available for free
Harness Cloud Cost Management From $57/user/month (billed annually)
Morpheus Data Pricing upon request
CloudCheckr From $99/user/month (billed annually)
Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

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Other Cloud Resource Management Software

Below is a list of additional cloud resource management software that I shortlisted. While they didn’t make the top 10, they’re still valuable and worth further research.

If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related project management tools we've tested and evaluated.

Cloud Resource Management Software Selection Criteria

The criteria for choosing a cloud resource management software should address buyer needs and common pain points, ensuring the software effectively serves its intended purpose.

As an expert who has personally tried and researched these tools, I use the following requirements when evaluating software.

Core Functionality: 25% of Total Weighting Score

  • Centralized dashboard for monitoring available resources
  • Automated scaling of resources based on demand
  • Integration capabilities with other cloud services
  • Robust security features to protect best resources
  • Detailed metrics reporting and analytics for forecasting and resource usage

Additional Standout Features: 25% of Total Weighting Score

  • Innovative resource optimization recommendations
  • Advanced predictive analytics for cost management
  • Unique collaboration tools for team resource capacity planning
  • Integration with emerging technologies like AI and machine learning
  • Exceptional disaster recovery and backup options

Usability: 10% of Total Weighting Score

  • Intuitive navigation and user interface
  • Clear visual representation of resources and their statuses
  • A balance between comprehensive features and user-friendly design
  • Responsive design for cross-device compatibility

Onboarding: 10% of Total Weighting Score

  • Knowledge base and learning resources
  • Interactive tutorials and product tours
  • Availability of customizable templates
  • Efficient data migration tools

Customer Support: 10% of Total Weighting Score

  • 24/7 availability through multiple channels
  • Proactive support with a focus on problem prevention
  • Dedicated account management for enterprise clients
  • Community forums for peer-to-peer assistance

Value For Money: 10% of Total Weighting Score

  • Transparent pricing models without hidden costs
  • Flexible plans that scale with business needs
  • Free trials or demos to evaluate the platform
  • Competitive features-to-price ratio

Customer Reviews: 10% of Total Weighting Score

  • Consistently high ratings across multiple review platforms
  • Positive feedback on specific features relevant to cloud resource management
  • Testimonials highlighting the software's impact on business efficiency
  • Constructive criticism and how the company addresses it

Focusing on these criteria ensures the chosen solution meets essential needs while providing additional value. This approach helps identify the best platform for your organization’s goals.

Cloud resource management software continues to grow and change, driven by cloud environments' increasing complexity and scale.

Here are some trends I noticed while reviewing cloud resource management software.

  • Increased Emphasis on Cost Management: Software is becoming more adept at controlling costs, and real-time analytics can help businesses monitor and adjust resources to manage expenses. This trend helps maximize cloud investment returns.
  • Integration with Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence is being integrated into management tools as AI algorithms predict demand and automate resource allocation. This integration is essential for improving efficiency and reducing manual oversight.
  • Enhanced Security Features: Security within cloud management software is getting stronger. Advanced threat detection and automated compliance checks are becoming standard. This trend is vital for protecting data in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.
  • Sustainability Through Resource Optimization: Sustainability is a growing focus, and most software now includes features that minimize energy use and carbon footprint. This is important for businesses aiming to be environmentally responsible.
  • Shift Towards Multi-Cloud Strategies: Tools now adapt to manage multiple cloud environments simultaneously, allowing for greater flexibility and risk mitigation. The web-based shift is significant for businesses looking to avoid vendor lock-in.

By embracing these developments, companies can expect to improve operational efficiency and drive innovation and growth in the coming years.

What Is Cloud Resource Management Software?

Cloud resource management software is a digital platform designed to manage, allocate, and utilize cloud computing resources. IT professionals and organizations use it to monitor and control cloud services. This ensures the efficient use of computing power, storage, and networking capabilities for businesses and stakeholders. 

The software balances resource demand and availability, preventing over-provisioning and underutilization, common challenges in cloud environments.

Features Of Cloud Resource Management Software

When selecting cloud resource management software, it's essential to consider the features that will support and enhance the management of your cloud resources.

Here are some key features to look for.

  • Centralized Dashboard: This feature allows for easy monitoring and management of resources from a single location, ensuring quick access to critical information. It also helps further team collaboration.
  • Cost Tracking and Optimization: This helps maintain budget control and prevents overspending by providing insights into where and how resources are consumed.
  • Automation: Automation reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and saves time, allowing teams to focus on more strategic work.
  • Scalability: This feature ensures software can handle growth and fluctuating workloads without performance degradation and burnout.
  • Security and Compliance: It’s essential for maintaining the integrity of cloud resources and ensuring that operations comply with industry standards.
  • Performance Analytics: This feature helps identify potential bottlenecks and areas for improvement, leading to better resource forecasting and management.
  • Disaster Recovery: This feature helps maintain service availability and protect critical data by facilitating quick recovery from outages.
  • Integration Capabilities: This feature allows the software to work in with existing systems, creating a cohesive technology environment.
  • Customizable Alerts: These alerts inform teams of changes or issues, enabling prompt action when necessary.
  • Self-Service Provisioning: By allowing users to provision their resources within predefined limits, this feature promotes efficiency and responsiveness.

Together, these features contribute to a solid cloud resource management strategy. They provide the tools to manage cloud resources effectively, ensuring that businesses can leverage the full potential of cloud computing.

Benefits Of Cloud Resource Management Software

Cloud resource management software offers a range of advantages that can significantly improve operational efficiency and resource utilization.

Here are some of the benefits that users and organizations can expect.

  • Centralized Control: This allows users to manage their entire cloud infrastructure from one location.
  • Cost Efficiency: Cloud resource management software helps businesses avoid overprovisioning and underutilization by providing insights into resource usage and costs.
  • Improved Security: The software offers tools and features that help monitor and secure cloud environments.
  • Scalability: Cloud resource management software enables organizations to scale their cloud resources up or down as needed.
  • Performance Monitoring: Users can ensure that their cloud resources perform optimally and can quickly address any issues.

Cloud resource management software can be a game-changer for businesses looking to leverage the power of cloud computing. Through better resource management, these platforms can help organizations achieve greater agility, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Costs And Pricing Of Cloud Resource Management Software

For software buyers with little to no experience using cloud resource management software, understanding the different plan options and pricing is crucial to making an informed decision.

Below is a table summarizing the plan options and their pricing for cloud resource management software based on the research conducted.

Plan Comparison Table for Cloud Resource Management Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free$0Basic resource scheduling, limited projects, and basic reporting
Basic$10-$20/user/monthEnhanced scheduling, time tracking, and basic analytics
Professional$20-$40/user/monthAdvanced resource planning, real-time collaboration, and full project management suite
EnterpriseCustom PricingCustom integrations, advanced security features, and personalized onboarding and support
A breakdown of plan types, costs, and features of cloud resource management software.

Cloud Resource Management Software FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions I receive about cloud resource management software.

Is the cloud resource management software easy to use?

The ease of use of cloud resource management software is a key consideration. It’s important to evaluate how tasks are performed within the tool and the number of steps required for critical operations. The design of the user interface, interactive features, and the availability of training from the vendor can all influence the usability of the software. Choose a tool that is intuitive and allows your team to adopt it with a minimal learning curve.

Is the cloud resource management software intuitive and collaborative?

Cloud resource management software should be intuitive to reduce learning time and facilitate quick adaptation by your team. Additionally, collaboration features are crucial for enabling team members in different locations to work together effectively. Look for software that provides a centralized online space for data sharing and decision-making.

Does the cloud resource management software allow different permission levels?

Software that offers various permission levels can be beneficial for different roles within an organization. By setting different permissions, project managers, team members, and clients can access the information and functionalities that are relevant to them. This can improve transparency and engagement with the tool.

Is it possible to do reporting with the cloud resource management software?

Reporting is an essential feature of resource management software. Check for the availability of standard reports and the ability to customize them to meet your needs. Some tools, such as eResource Scheduler, offer graphical reporting features and comprehensive dashboards, which are important for monitoring and decision-making.

Can the cloud resource management software manage end-to-end project lifecycle?

Cloud resource management software should support the entire project lifecycle, from project planning to delivery. It should enable risk management, resource availability and allocation, time tracking, and other essential project management functions. Make sure the tool you choose can handle all aspects of your projects effectively.

Will the cloud resource management software support the way your business operates?

The software should be compatible with your business operations and support your existing structures. It should also be adaptable to accommodate future improvements and updates. When selecting a tool, consider how well it integrates with your business processes and whether the vendor offers customization assistance.

Does the vendor offer post-implementation support for the cloud resource management software?

After implementing new software, post-implementation support is essential for a smooth transition. Inquire about the vendor’s support services, including training for new users and troubleshooting assistance. Check if support costs are included in the annual license fee and if the support team is available in your time zone or offers 24/7 assistance.

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Hermann Fink
By Hermann Fink

Hermann Fink is a technology enthusiast and the co-founder of Rünna Advertising, a multinational digital agency that has been active for over a decade and served clients like Ford, AstraZeneca, Disney, and Didi. In addition to being a business owner, Hermann gathered corporate experience in project management during his time at Hewlett Packard in the mid-2010s.