Top Cloud Management Platforms for Optimizing Cloud Resources

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Is your cloud budget spiraling out of control? You’re not alone. A staggering 30% of cloud spend goes to waste - not because teams don’t care, but because managing cloud resources without the right tools is like trying to stop a flood with a coffee cup. 

Untracked instances keep running, duplicate subscriptions pile up, and inefficient workloads drain resources in the background = silently burning through budgets.

But here’s the good news: the right cloud management platform can turn chaos into clarity. This article breaks down the top platforms designed to optimize cloud resources, helping you cut waste, improve efficiency, and regain control.

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TL;DR: Cloud Management Platforms

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What is a Cloud Management Platform? 

A Cloud Management Platform (CMP) is a software solution that helps organizations monitor, optimize, and automate their cloud infrastructure. It provides a centralized dashboard to manage cloud resources across multiple providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.

CMPs streamline cloud operations by offering tools for cost control, security, compliance, automation, and performance monitoring, ensuring businesses can manage cloud environments efficiently.

A CMP performs several critical functions to ensure cloud resources are used efficiently:

• Automation & Orchestration – Automates provisioning, scaling, and decommissioning of cloud resources.
• Monitoring & Analytics – Tracks cloud performance, identifies inefficiencies, and provides real-time insights.
• Cost Optimization – Identifies underutilized resources, predicts costs, and prevents budget overruns.
• Security & Compliance – Ensures adherence to industry regulations with encryption, identity management, and access controls.
• Governance & Policy Enforcement – Applies best practices to prevent misconfigurations and security risks.

A CMP simplifies cloud management, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency across all cloud environments.

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Key Features to Look for in Cloud Management Platforms

Not all CMPs are created equal. To truly optimize cloud resources, a CMP should have these must-have features:

1. Multi-Cloud Support

If your workloads run across AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure, a CMP should unify management across all environments. It should also support private and hybrid clouds to provide full visibility across cloud services.

2. Cost Optimization

A CMP should actively help reduce waste. Look for:

• Budget tracking to monitor cloud spend in real time
• Cost forecasting to predict and avoid budget overruns
• Rightsizing tools that identify underused or oversized cloud instances

3. Automation & Orchestration

Manually managing cloud resources is inefficient. A CMP should automate key processes, including:

• Auto-scaling to adjust resources based on demand
• Workflow automation for provisioning and deprovisioning
• Orchestration of cloud services for smooth deployment

4. Security & Compliance

Cloud security is non-negotiable. A good CMP should include:

• Identity and access management (IAM) to control permissions
• Data encryption to protect sensitive information
• Governance policies to ensure regulatory compliance (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, etc.)

5. Performance Monitoring & Analytics

Your CMP should track cloud health in real-time, offering:

• Live dashboards for performance insights
• Automated alerts for performance bottlenecks
• Predictive analytics to prevent failures before they happen

6. Integration Capabilities

A strong CMP should seamlessly connect with your existing DevOps and IT ecosystem. It should support:

• CI/CD pipelines for streamlined deployments
• Third-party integrations (like Slack, Teams etc.) with monitoring, security, and ITSM tools
• APIs & webhooks to automate workflows

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Top Cloud Management Platforms for Optimizing Cloud Resources

1. Google Cloud’s Anthos 

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Google Anthos is one of the cloud management platforms designed to streamline containerized application deployment and management across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Built on Kubernetes, it provides enterprises with security, automation, and centralized control, helping teams scale efficiently while maintaining compliance.

Key Features:

• Multi-cluster management – Centrally manage workloads across multiple Kubernetes clusters, reducing operational complexity.
• Security & compliance enforcement – Apply consistent security policies and governance controls across all environments.
• Integrated observability – Aggregate logs and metrics across clusters for real-time monitoring and faster issue resolution.

Pros:

• Unified management across on-prem and cloud environments.
• Strong security and compliance policies for enterprise workloads.
• Reduces time spent on platform operations with automation.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for teams unfamiliar with Kubernetes.
• Higher costs compared to some alternatives.
• Limited customization compared to self-managed Kubernetes solutions.

Pricing:
Pricing varies based on usage and configurations. Contact Google Cloud for details.

2. Microsoft Azure Stack 

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Azure Stack is one of the hybrid cloud management platforms that extends Microsoft Azure’s capabilities to on-premises environments. It enables businesses to build, deploy, and manage cloud applications consistently across private, public, and edge environments while maintaining regulatory compliance and security.

Key Features:

• Hybrid cloud capabilities – Seamlessly integrates on-premises infrastructure with Azure services for consistent application deployment.
• Scalability and flexibility – Allows businesses to scale resources up or down based on demand while maintaining control over sensitive data.
• Built-in security and compliance – Provides advanced security features, identity management, and regulatory compliance support.

Pros:

• Ensures data sovereignty by keeping sensitive workloads on-premises.
• Reduces latency for applications requiring real-time processing.
• Supports multi-cloud and edge computing use cases.

Cons:

• High upfront and operational costs, making it less ideal for small businesses.
• Requires in-depth expertise in both Azure and on-premises infrastructure.
• Some Azure services may not be fully available on Azure Stack.

Pricing:
Pay-as-you-use pricing with enterprise agreements and fixed-fee annual subscription options. Contact Microsoft for a detailed quote.

3. AWS Outposts 

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AWS Outposts extends AWS cloud services to on-premises environments, allowing businesses to run AWS infrastructure, services, and APIs locally while seamlessly integrating with AWS regions. It is one of the most well-known cloud management platforms that provides a consistent hybrid cloud experience with the same AWS management tools, security, and services.

Key Features:

• Hybrid cloud integration – Run AWS services on-premises while maintaining seamless connectivity with AWS regions.
• Fully managed infrastructure – AWS handles updates, patches, and maintenance, reducing operational overhead.
• Scalability and flexibility – Deploy and scale workloads across on-premises and cloud environments based on business needs.

Pros:

• Enables low-latency applications by keeping workloads on-premises.
• Simplifies cloud migration with a consistent AWS experience.
• Provides full integration with AWS services and security tools.

Cons:

• High upfront and ongoing costs, making it less accessible for small businesses.
• Requires a long-term commitment with a minimum three-year term.
• Limited customization options compared to traditional on-premise solutions.

Pricing:

AWS Outposts requires a three-year commitment, with All Upfront, Partial Upfront, and No Upfront payment options. Pricing varies based on configuration and region. Contact AWS for a detailed quote.

4. VMware Cloud Foundation

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VMware Cloud Foundation is one of the hybrid cloud management platforms that integrates computing, storage, networking, and management into a unified solution. It enables organizations to deploy private and multi-cloud environments with security, scalability, and automation, reducing operational complexity and improving efficiency.

Key Features:

• Integrated infrastructure stack – Combines vSphere, vSAN, and NSX for seamless computing, storage, and networking.
• Automated lifecycle management – Simplifies upgrades, patches, and deployments with SDDC Manager.
• Multi-cloud compatibility – Supports hybrid cloud operations across private, public, and edge environments.

Pros:

• Centralized management for improved visibility and control.
• Reduces total cost of ownership (TCO) with automation and efficiency.
• Enhanced security with policy-driven compliance and encryption.

Cons:

• High pricing compared to public cloud alternatives.
• Complex setup and steep learning curve.
• Lifecycle management for large-scale deployments can be time-consuming.

Pricing:
VMware Cloud Foundation follows a subscription-based pricing model, varying based on deployment size and cloud integrations. Contact VMware for a custom quote.

5. Red Hat OpenShift 

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Red Hat OpenShift is an enterprise-grade Kubernetes platform for building, deploying, and managing containerized applications across on-premise, private, and public cloud environments. It is one of the cloud management platforms that simplifies container orchestration, enhances security, and supports DevOps workflows for modern application development.

Key Features:

• Enterprise Kubernetes platform – Provides a robust, scalable Kubernetes environment with advanced security and automation.
• Integrated DevOps tools – Supports CI/CD pipelines, monitoring, logging, and automation for seamless deployments.
• Multi-cloud and hybrid support – Runs across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and on-premise infrastructure.

Pros:

• Simplifies container management with built-in automation and security.
• Scales seamlessly across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Strong support and integration with Red Hat’s ecosystem.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for beginners.
• Higher cost compared to some other Kubernetes solutions.
• Initial setup and migration can be complex.

Pricing:
Reserved instances start at $0.076/hour (based on 4 vCPUs, 3-year contract). Pricing varies by deployment model and cloud provider.

6. SUSE Cloud Observability  

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SUSE Cloud Observability is a cloud-native SaaS platform designed to monitor Rancher-managed Kubernetes clusters and multi-cloud environments. It integrates OpenTelemetry, automates service dependency discovery, and includes 40+ pre-configured observability policies for real-time insights and rapid issue resolution.

Key Features:

• Kubernetes monitoring – Provides deep insights into Rancher-managed Kubernetes clusters and multi-cloud applications.
• Automated dependency mapping – Detects service dependencies and performance issues in real-time.
• Seamless integrations – Supports Slack, PagerDuty, OpsGenie, and OpenTelemetry for quick incident response.

Pros:

• Easy to set up with minimal configuration.
• Strong customer support and rapid issue resolution.
• Pay-as-you-go pricing model for flexible scaling.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to competitors.
• Can have a learning curve for full application-layer integration.
• Pricing may be high for organizations with extensive cloud infrastructure.

Pricing:
Free trial available. Paid plans start at $749/year for a 1-year subscription with 12x5 support, scaling up to $5,396 for a 5-year subscription with 24x7 priority support.

7. Cisco CloudCenter Suite 

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Cisco Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) is a powerful, scalable contact center solution supporting up to 36,000 agents. It provides intelligent call routing, omnichannel integration, and advanced customer segmentation, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

Key Features:

• Intelligent call routing – Automatically directs calls to the most suitable agents or departments for faster resolution.
• Omnichannel integration – Connects voice, chat, email, and social media channels for a unified customer experience.
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics – Provides real-time and historical insights for better decision-making.

Pros:

• Highly customizable to meet complex business needs.
• Scalable solution suitable for large enterprises.
• Advanced reporting and analytics enhance performance tracking.

Cons:

• Complex licensing structure can be challenging to navigate.
• High implementation and maintenance costs.
• Steep learning curve for administrators and users.

Pricing:
Pricing information is not publicly available. Interested users need to contact Cisco directly for a quote tailored to their specific needs and requirements.

8. Flexera 

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Flexera One is a SaaS-based IT management solution and one of the widely used cloud management platforms designed for complex hybrid environments. It provides comprehensive visibility and control over software, hardware, SaaS, and cloud assets, enabling data-driven decisions and optimized IT spend management.

Key Features:

• IT Visibility and Asset Management – Provides a complete view of your IT estate, including software, hardware, SaaS, and cloud resources.
• Cloud Cost Optimization – Monitors cloud usage and costs with detailed analytics, ensuring cost efficiency across multiple cloud environments.
• SaaS Management and License Optimization – Identifies shadow SaaS, eliminates redundancy, and optimizes subscriptions based on actual usage.

Pros:

• Comprehensive visibility across on-premise, SaaS, and cloud assets.
• Advanced cost optimization for cloud environments.
• Seamless integration with existing ITSM and cloud management tools.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for new users.
• SaaS management features need further enhancement.
• High cost for enterprise-level deployments.

Pricing:
Pricing is not publicly available. Interested users must contact the Flexera sales team for a customized quote.

9. ServiceNow

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ServiceNow Cloud Management streamlines cloud operations by automating cloud resource management and optimizing cloud costs. It offers end-to-end visibility and control over hybrid cloud environments, enhancing agility while minimizing risks and costs.

Key Features:

• Cloud Cost Management Workspace – Centralizes cloud spending, enabling cost tracking across SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS environments.
• Cloud Spend Analytics – Provides detailed reports on cloud spending trends and forecasts, facilitating proactive cost optimization.
• Asset Management Dashboard – Offers a unified view of software, hardware, and cloud assets, supporting informed decision-making.

Pros:

• Comprehensive cost visibility and management for hybrid cloud environments.
• Seamless integration with other ServiceNow products.
• Scalable solution suitable for enterprises with complex cloud infrastructures.

Cons:

• Steep learning curve for advanced customization and configurations.
• High cost, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller businesses.
• Complex setup process, requiring specialized knowledge for implementation.

Pricing:
Pricing is not available on the official site. Interested users must contact the ServiceNow sales team for a customized quote.

10. Morpheus Data 

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Morpheus Data is one of the enterprise cloud management platforms that empowers IT leaders with unified visibility, automation, and governance for hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It enables one-click provisioning, cost optimization, and DevOps integration while eliminating cloud sprawl and shadow IT.

Key Features:

• One-Click Provisioning – Rapidly deploy applications across any cloud environment with pre-built blueprints and templates.
• Cost Optimization & Analytics – Gain insights into cloud spending, automate cost control, and optimize resource allocation.
• Multi-Cloud Integration – Seamlessly manage multiple cloud providers, including AWS, Azure, GCP, and private clouds from a single platform.

Pros:

• Comprehensive multi-cloud management with centralized visibility and control.
• Strong DevOps integration with support for CI/CD pipelines and automation tools.
• Flexible and scalable platform suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.

Cons:

• Complex setup and configuration, requiring skilled resources for implementation.
• High learning curve for advanced customizations and integrations.
• Interface could be more intuitive, especially for new users without technical backgrounds.

Pricing:
Morpheus Data uses workload-based pricing. Pricing is based on the number of concurrent workload elements managed, with custom quotes available upon request.

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Beyond Cloud Management: Optimize SaaS Spend with CloudEagle 

Managing cloud infrastructure is only part of the equation. While cloud management platforms help control compute and storage costs, SaaS spending is an entirely different beast - one that often flies under the radar until the budget is stretched too thin.

Companies sign up for SaaS tools faster than they can track them. Duplicate apps, unused licenses, and auto-renewals pile up, leading to unnecessary expenses. Without visibility into SaaS usage, businesses end up paying for tools they no longer need or over-provisioning licenses for users who barely use them.

That’s where CloudEagle enters as a helpful solution. Unlike traditional cloud management platforms that focus on infrastructure, CloudEagle is designed to track, optimize, and reduce SaaS expenses, ensuring businesses only pay for what they actually use.

Key Features of CloudEagle

a) Automated SaaS discovery: Most businesses don’t realize just how many SaaS tools are being used across different teams. Employees often purchase software independently, leading to shadow IT - untracked applications with potential security risks and redundant costs.

CloudEagle automatically identifies all SaaS applications within an organization, whether they were IT-approved or not. 

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By consolidating this data in a single dashboard, businesses gain full visibility into their SaaS ecosystem, making it easier to detect and eliminate redundant subscriptions.

b) Usage insights and license optimization: Unused and underutilized licenses are some of the biggest culprits of SaaS overspending. Companies often purchase more seats than needed, thinking they’ll be used in the future; but instead, they sit idle, silently draining budgets.

CloudEagle analyzes usage patterns and identifies inactive or underutilized licenses, helping teams make data-driven decisions.

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It suggests rightsizing plans - whether that means reallocating licenses to active users, downgrading to a lower-tier plan, or even canceling unneeded subscriptions altogether.

c) Automated renewal alerts: Many SaaS renewals happen on autopilot. Companies forget about upcoming renewal dates, leading to last-minute approvals without negotiation or, worse, accidental renewals for tools they no longer use.

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CloudEagle tracks contract end dates and sends timely renewal alerts, ensuring finance and procurement teams have enough time to assess usage and renegotiate terms. No more unwanted surprises; just better financial control.

d) Cost-saving recommendations: Without a clear strategy, cutting SaaS costs often means blindly slashing budgets without considering actual business needs. But cost-cutting doesn’t have to mean losing essential tools.

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CloudEagle.ai provides data-backed cost-saving recommendations, pinpointing opportunities for license consolidation, vendor negotiations, or switching to cost-effective alternatives. These insights help businesses reduce spend strategically - without disrupting daily operations.

e) Vendor management & contract negotiation: SaaS contracts are often complex, with hidden fees, auto-renewal clauses, and pricing structures that favor vendors over customers. Without benchmarking data, companies struggle to negotiate the best deals.

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CloudEagle centralizes vendor contracts, providing negotiation insights based on real-time usage data and industry benchmarks. This ensures businesses aren’t overpaying and helps them secure better pricing and terms with vendors.

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How to Choose the Right Cloud Management Software? 

Picking the right cloud management software isn’t just about features; it’s about finding a tool that aligns with your business goals, budget, and security needs. The wrong choice could mean wasted resources, integration headaches, or compliance risks.

Here’s how to evaluate the best fit for your organization:

1. Business Needs & Scalability

Not all cloud management platforms are built for the same purpose. Some focus on infrastructure cost control, while others specialize in multi-cloud orchestration or SaaS spend optimization. The first step is identifying what you need to manage and compute resources, SaaS licenses, security policies, or all of the above.

Scalability is just as critical. If your business is growing, you need a platform that can handle an increasing number of workloads and cloud environments without requiring constant manual intervention. A tool that works for a small IT team today might not be enough when managing thousands of cloud resources across multiple providers in the future.

2. Budget & Cost-Efficiency

Cloud management should save you money, not add to your expenses. The right tool will provide real-time cost tracking, forecasting, and actionable recommendations to eliminate waste.

Look for features like:

• Automated budget tracking to prevent overspending
• Rightsizing recommendations to optimize resource allocation
• Multi-cloud cost analysis to compare spending across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud

For SaaS-heavy businesses, platforms like CloudEagle help identify duplicate software, unused licenses, and cost-saving opportunities - giving finance and procurement teams full visibility into where their budget is going.

3. Security & Compliance

Cloud security isn’t just about preventing breaches; it’s about ensuring compliance, managing access controls, and enforcing governance policies. One of the top cloud management platforms helps you:

• Monitor user access and prevent unauthorized changes
• Automate security policies to ensure compliance with industry regulations (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, etc.)
• Provide encryption and identity management to secure sensitive data

Without built-in security monitoring, businesses risk misconfigured settings, exposed data, and compliance violations issues that could lead to hefty fines and reputational damage.

4. Integration with existing infrastructure

A cloud management platform shouldn’t create more work; it should streamline your current processes. That’s only possible if it integrates with your existing DevOps tools, CI/CD pipelines, SaaS applications, and third-party security solutions.

Look for platforms that:

• Support APIs and webhooks for easy automation
• Work with tools like Terraform, Kubernetes, and Ansible
• Provide connectors for billing, security, and ITSM platforms

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Optimize Cloud Spend and Efficiency with CloudEagle 

Cloud management platforms are crucial for controlling cloud infrastructure costs and maximizing efficiency. However, managing SaaS spends requires a different strategy altogether. By choosing the right cloud management tool, you can reduce waste, enhance productivity, and maintain control over your cloud ecosystem. Here are the key takeaways from this article:

• Multi-cloud support ensures seamless management across public, private, and hybrid clouds.
• Cost optimization tools help monitor usage, avoid budget overruns, and rightsize cloud resources.
• Automation and orchestration simplify provisioning, scaling, and decommissioning of cloud assets.
• Security and compliance features safeguard sensitive data while maintaining regulatory standards.
• Integration capabilities enhance workflow automation and streamline DevOps processes.

Choosing the right cloud management platforms is the first step, but optimizing SaaS spend is equally important. CloudEagle takes it further by providing full visibility into your SaaS ecosystem, helping you eliminate redundant subscriptions, optimize license usage, and avoid costly auto-renewals. With CloudEagle, you gain complete control over SaaS expenses, ensuring your organization only pays for what it truly needs.

Read next: 

• CloudEagle.ai Is a Key Cloud SaaS Management Solution In IDC Market Glance: FinOps Cloud Transparency, 2024

      → See why CloudEagle.ai stands out in IDC’s latest FinOps report for cloud cost transparency and SaaS management.

• Managing SaaS Contracts using Cloud Management Software

    → Learn how cloud management tools streamline SaaS contract tracking, renewals, and cost optimization.

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