Best Cloud Resource Management Software Shortlist
Here’s my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
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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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.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for capacity-driven project teams | 30-day free trial + free demo available | From $9/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 2 | Best for unified monitoring | Free 14-day trial + free plan available | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 3 | Best for community-driven cloud computing | Free plan available | Open source project and Available for free | Website | |
| 4 | Best for software and IoT solutions | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 5 | Best for infrastructure automation | Free plan available | From $0.00014/hour/resource | Website | |
| 6 | Best for data security and cyber recovery | Free demo available | Pricing upon request. | Website | |
| 7 | Best for automated cloud cost optimization | Not available | From $57/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 8 | Best for hybrid cloud operations | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 9 | Best for cloud ROI optimization | Free plan available | From $708.33/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for technology intelligence | Not available | Pricing upon request | Website |
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Zoho Projects
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Accelo
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monday.com
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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.
You’re looking for a resource-management solution, and if your team juggles multiple projects, shifting workloads, and the need to deploy the right people at the right time, then Smartsheet might be a fit. It’s a cloud-based work execution platform that appeals to mid-sized through enterprise organizations, especially project-driven companies (consulting, services, agencies) who have to manage capacity, skills, and availability.
Why I Picked Smartsheet
I picked Smartsheet because it offers a strong foundation in resource planning tied directly to project portfolios — you can assign resources by skill or role, view capacity across teams, and forecast demand using live dashboards. Its resource allocation and capacity-planning tools let your team avoid over-booking or under-utilizing key people, while its placeholders and forecasting features let you plan roles before specific names are assigned. These features address the everyday challenge of matching staffing to workload across shifting project timelines.
Smartsheet Key Features
Aside from the core capacity and allocation tools, you’ll find these additional features that support resource-management use cases:
- Workload view: Enables you to visualize resource utilization across your team or organization so you can balance assignments and prevent overload.
- Skill-based resource library: Lets you tag people (or contractors) by skills, role, location or bill rate so you can match the right resource to the right task.
- Placeholder assignments: Lets you allocate roles or “TBD” resources ahead of actual people, giving you flexibility in staffing and forecasting.
- Interactive dashboards: Provide visualizations of utilization, current assignments, open capacity and project pipeline so you can monitor in one place.
Smartsheet Integrations
Integrations include SAP, Adobe, AWS, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Slack, and Tableau.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time dashboards that give you a consolidated view across projects and teams.
- Ability to assign resources by skill, role or placeholder ahead of specific names.
- Visual and detailed monitoring of team capacity and resource utilization.
Cons:
- Resource management is considered a premium feature and is only available in higher-tier or add-on plans.
- The spreadsheet-style interface may feel complex or dated compared to more visual tools.
New Product Updates from Smartsheet
Smartsheet Adds Provisional Member Settings for User and Budget Control
Smartsheet has launched new Provisional Member settings in the Admin Center, giving organizations more control over user management and budget predictability. Admins can now automatically downgrade or upgrade trial users based on company preferences. For more information, visit Smartsheet's official site.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
CloudBolt is a cloud resource management platform that simplifies hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It’s recognized for optimizing cloud ROI by reducing manual financial processes and automating cloud activities.
Why I picked CloudBolt:
CloudBolt’s approach to cloud management includes augmented FinOps and cloud financial management. Its ability to unify the cloud estate and provide a modern experience for IT consumers makes it stand out from other cloud management platforms. CloudBolt offers next-generation FinOps capabilities and intelligent automation, which are essential for maximizing cloud value and reducing waste.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include financial traceability, ensuring precise cost tracking and allocation, and advanced assisted intelligence that leverages AI for in-depth analysis. It also incorporates guardrails into every cloud action to promote cost-effective, value-centric actions.
Integrations include AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Red Hat, and VMware.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Recognized as a market leader in the GigaOm Radar Report for FinOps
- Offers a unified control plane for all cloud resources
- Reduces manual financial processes significantly
Cons:
- Specific integrations and features may vary based on the cloud environment
- May require more in-depth skill sets to manage features
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
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.
- CloudCheckr
For cloud management and governance
- Spectro Cloud Palette
For scalable Kubernetes management
- Nutanix
For simplistic cloud resource management
- CloudHealth by VMware
For cloud cost optimization
- Google Cloud Platform
For data analytics and machine learning
- IBM Turbonomic
For application resource management
- Azure Management Tools
For AI and cloud-scale analytics
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Management
For data-driven teams
- ServiceNow Cloud Management
For intelligent automation and workflows
- AWS Management Console
For broad service offerings and flexibility
Cloud Resource Management Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best cloud resource management software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like cost optimization and compliance tracking. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage cloud resources
- Optimize costs
- Ensure compliance
- Automate provisioning
- Monitor performance
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Customizable dashboards
- Advanced analytics
- AI-driven insights
- Multi-cloud support
- Real-time alerts
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Clear layout
- User-friendly design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates
- Live webinars
- Responsive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple support channels
- Quick response times
- Knowledgeable staff
- Comprehensive help center
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Feature-to-price ratio
- Flexible pricing plans
- Transparent billing
- Cost-saving potential
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Positive feedback
- Common complaints
- User testimonials
- Success stories
- Feature satisfaction
How to Choose Cloud Resource Management Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the software grow with your business? Consider if it can handle increased workloads and additional users without performance issues. |
| Integrations | Does it connect with your existing tools? Check for compatibility with your current systems to avoid disruptions. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor it to your needs? Evaluate how easily you can adjust settings and workflows to match your team's processes. |
| Ease of use | Is it intuitive for your team? Look for a straightforward interface that requires minimal training to ensure quick adoption. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How long will setup take? Assess the resources and time needed to get the software up and running, including training and data migration. |
| Cost | Does it fit your budget? Compare pricing structures, hidden fees, and value for money to ensure it aligns with your financial constraints. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and operations protected? Check for encryption, compliance with industry standards, and regular security updates. |
| Support availability | Is help accessible when needed? Consider the availability and responsiveness of customer support, including after-hours and multi-channel options. |
Trends in Cloud Resource Management Software
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
When selecting cloud resource management software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Cost optimization: Helps track and manage cloud expenses, ensuring resources are used efficiently and budgets are maintained.
- Security assessments: Provides insights into vulnerabilities and compliance with industry standards, keeping your cloud environment secure.
- Automated provisioning: Allows for quick deployment of resources, reducing manual intervention and speeding up project timelines.
- Compliance tracking: Ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, minimizing the risk of non-compliance penalties.
- Multi-cloud support: Manages resources across different cloud providers, offering flexibility and reducing vendor lock-in.
- Customizable dashboards: Offers tailored views of key metrics, helping users focus on the most critical information.
- Real-time alerts: Notifies users of changes or issues in the cloud environment, enabling quick responses to potential problems.
- Lifecycle management: Automates updates and patches, ensuring resources are always up to date and functioning optimally.
Benefits
Implementing cloud resource management software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Cost savings: By optimizing resource usage and tracking expenses, you can reduce unnecessary spending and stay within budget.
- Improved security: Regular security assessments and compliance tracking help protect your data and ensure adherence to industry standards.
- Increased efficiency: Automated provisioning and lifecycle management speed up deployment processes, allowing your team to focus on other tasks.
- Flexibility: Multi-cloud support offers the ability to manage resources across various platforms, reducing dependency on a single provider.
- Better decision-making: Customizable dashboards and real-time alerts provide insights and timely information, helping you make informed decisions.
- Regulatory compliance: Compliance tracking ensures your operations meet legal and industry requirements, minimizing the risk of penalties.
- Resource optimization: By monitoring performance and usage, you can allocate resources effectively, enhancing overall productivity.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting cloud resource management software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in cloud resource management software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Cloud Resource Management Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0/user/month | Basic monitoring, limited support, and community access. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Cost tracking, basic analytics, and email support. |
| Business Plan | $30-$50/user/month | Advanced analytics, multi-cloud support, and phone support. |
| Enterprise Plan | $60-$100/user/month | Customizable dashboards, dedicated account manager, and 24/7 support. |
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.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching cloud resource management software, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
