Multi-cloud uses multiple public cloud services, increasing flexibility and reducing vendor lock-in. Hybrid cloud combines public clouds with private clouds or on-premise infrastructure, balancing scalability with control over sensitive data. Multi-cloud is ideal for reliability and cost-efficiency, while hybrid cloud suits companies needing security and compliance for critical operations.
Two key strategies, multi-cloud and hybrid cloud, have gained prominence, each offering unique benefits and purposes.
Although they overlap, they serve different requirements depending on a company’s infrastructure and needs.
What is Multi-Cloud?
Multi-cloud refers to the use of multiple public cloud services from different providers. This strategy allows businesses to spread workloads across different cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure.
For example, a company may use one cloud service for hosting databases, another for Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and yet another for user authentication.
This approach provides flexibility, reduces the risk of vendor lock-in, and enables companies to leverage the unique strengths of each cloud provider.
The primary advantage of a multi-cloud strategy is increased reliability and resilience. If one cloud platform faces a failure, other clouds can pick up the slack, reducing downtime.
This method, known as cloud bursting, is particularly useful for businesses experiencing fluctuating traffic or needing additional resources during peak times.
Additionally, deploying multiple public clouds can optimise costs, as businesses can choose the best pricing options for each specific service.
What is Hybrid Cloud?
In contrast, hybrid cloud combines public cloud computing with private cloud infrastructure or on-premise data centres. Here, the key difference lies in integrating different types of clouds.
This blend enables businesses to maintain some operations on internal servers while leveraging the scalability and convenience of public clouds.
A hybrid cloud strategy is ideal for companies that need to keep sensitive data in a private cloud or on-premise for compliance or security reasons.
For instance, banks or healthcare organisations with stringent regulations might opt for this strategy to ensure that sensitive customer information is stored securely while still utilising public clouds for non-critical applications.
However, a hybrid cloud environment requires advanced management to maintain seamless communication and data integration between private and public systems.
Multi-Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud: Which is Better?
Both strategies offer different advantages depending on a business’s needs. If cost and scalability are a company’s primary concerns, a multi-cloud deployment might be more effective. However, if data security and compliance are critical, a hybrid cloud strategy may be the best choice.
Security remains a key factor when comparing both strategies. While private clouds offer more direct control over data, public cloud providers often have greater resources to keep their systems patched and secure.
It’s a trade-off that organisations must evaluate based on their own budgets, security needs, and compliance requirements.
Why Businesses Choose Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Strategies
There are several reasons why companies opt for hybrid and multi-cloud strategies. Multi-cloud deployments help avoid dependency on a single cloud provider and reduce vendor lock-in.
By spreading services across multiple public clouds, businesses can ensure they are not tied to one vendor’s limitations or pricing changes.
Hybrid clouds, on the other hand, are often chosen by businesses that face challenges with fully migrating their existing infrastructure. A complete cloud migration can be resource-intensive and disruptive.
Instead, hybrid clouds provide a more flexible transition, enabling businesses to continue using their existing on-premise systems alongside the advantages of public clouds.
Another major factor is performance. Public clouds, with their globally distributed infrastructure, provide edge computing benefits that significantly reduce latency.
When applications are hosted closer to end-users, the overall performance and response times improve drastically.
The Overlap Between Hybrid and Multi-Cloud
Interestingly, hybrid cloud deployments can sometimes also be multi-cloud if they incorporate multiple public clouds alongside private ones. This overlap is why the terms are sometimes used interchangeably.
However, it’s essential to remember that the defining difference lies in the type of infrastructure involved: multi-cloud is all about using several public clouds, while hybrid cloud mixes public and private infrastructure.
Cloudflare’s Role in Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Deployments
Companies like Cloudflare play a crucial role in supporting both multi-cloud and hybrid cloud deployments. By providing solutions such as web application firewalls, SSL certificates, DNS services, and load balancing, Cloudflare ensures that businesses can secure and optimise their web applications regardless of the infrastructure used.
This versatility reduces reliance on individual cloud vendors, enhancing performance, security, and reliability.
