Rising Cloud Costs: A Growing Concern
The cost of cloud has risen substantially in recent years, affecting a majority of organisations. According to a survey of over 500 industry professionals cited in the report, 59% of organisations experienced an increase in cloud spending over the past year. These increases ranged from modest to substantial:
- 31% saw cost or cloud increases of up to 10%.
- 32% reported increases between 11-25%.
- 37% experienced a surge of over 25% in cloud-related expenses.
This trend has made the cost of cloud management a critical concern, especially with major cloud providers, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), dominating the market. These “Big 3” cloud hyperscalers have been cited as contributing to the rising cost of cloud, with some organisations reporting challenges in predicting expenses due to complex pricing models.
Hidden Fees and Vendor Lock-In
While cloud services initially promise lower costs and flexibility, many businesses face unexpected fees that complicate financial planning. The report highlights several common hidden costs, including charges for IP addresses, data transfer, and additional services like security and monitoring. These hidden expenses make it difficult for businesses to effectively predict and manage their cloud cost budgets .
Moreover, the dominance of the Big 3 hyperscalers has resulted in concerns over vendor lock-in, where switching providers becomes challenging due to technical dependencies and contractual agreements. 77.4% of surveyed professionals use one of the Big 3, yet many are exploring alternative providers due to issues related to cost of cloud transparency and flexibility .
Strategies for Managing the Cost of Cloud
Businesses are increasingly adopting a range of strategies to address rising cost of cloud. According to the report, 53% of organisations have implemented measures to manage or reduce their cloud spending, using a combination of software tools, internal processes, and consulting services . Below are some recommended practices for optimising cloud expenses:
- Rightsizing and Optimisation: Regularly reviewing and adjusting cloud instances to ensure they match workload requirements can prevent over-provisioning and wastage.
- Reserved Instances and Savings Plans: Committing to longer-term plans with cloud providers can yield substantial savings. These discounts are ideal for workloads with predictable needs.
- Multi-Cloud Strategies: Using multiple cloud providers enables businesses to balance performance, cost, and risk. A multi-cloud approach can also help avoid vendor lock-in .
- Automation: Tools like Kubernetes and OpenCost can automate resource scaling, helping businesses avoid unnecessary expenses by adjusting resources dynamically based on demand .
The Rise of Alternative Cloud Providers
As businesses seek more transparent and cost-effective solutions, alternative cloud providers like Civo are gaining traction. The report notes that 47% of organisations believe traditional cloud services are too expensive, and many are considering alternatives that offer simpler pricing models and avoid hidden fees .
For example, Civo’s Kubernetes offering has demonstrated cost savings of up to 66% compared to AWS, Azure, and GCP . These alternatives are particularly attractive to businesses that require scalable solutions without the high costs associated with traditional hyperscalers.
Future Trends: AI, GPUs, and Sustainability
The cloud landscape continues to evolve, particularly with the increasing demand for AI and machine learning (ML) applications. The report points out that the cost of GPU-powered cloud services is rising as AI workloads become more prominent. Hyperscalers often charge significantly more for GPU instances than alternatives like Civo, making cost-effective access to AI and ML resources a critical issue for many organisations .
Sustainability is another growing concern in cloud computing. Data centres, which power cloud services, are major energy consumers, and their environmental impact is becoming more apparent. The International Energy Agency predicts that data centre energy use could increase six-fold by 2030 . Businesses are now looking for cloud providers that not only offer cost-efficiency but also prioritise environmental responsibility.
The Future of Cloud Computing
The cost of cloud computing industry is at a crossroads. As businesses are coming to terms with rising costs, hidden fees, and vendor lock-in, the need for transparent and cost-effective solutions has never been greater. Providers like Civo are offering tempting alternatives that align with the original promise of cloud computing—scalable, flexible, and affordable. For businesses looking to optimise their cloud investments, strategies such as rightsizing, automation, and multi-cloud approaches can make a significant difference.
As the industry evolves, businesses must remain agile, continuously evaluating their cost of cloud infrastructure to ensure it meets both their operational needs and financial goals.
For further guidance on cloud solutions, including multi-cloud strategies and cost optimisation, explore Akita’s cloud services.
