Cloud has impacted every services-based solution in the technology industry. Startups, currently, are just hopping on the bandwagon of a cloud solution, trying to replace the legacy infrastructure with cloud solutions. This is causing revenue and infrastructure problems. One type of cloud that is on top of everyone’s radar is a public cloud, which represents a massive hyperscale vendor offering a multitude of services.

Special-purpose cloud or single-purpose cloud specializes in just 1 service or a set of closely related services. It serves as an alternative for large multi-purpose or general-purpose clouds, such as AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, which offer a holistic set of IT services. Each single and multiple purpose cloud can be differentiated on 4 different points that include cost price, features, reliability and availability, and longevity.   

Cost price– Multiple/general-purpose cloud solution providers offer more competitive pricing as they offer many of the services just under one name. IT teams are even able to minimize the data egress fees and are able to achieve a lower overall cloud computing bill.  Single-purpose providers offer a higher rate, but it might differ based on region and service.

Features– Single purpose cloud solution providers offer much better features and options for the business in a specific domain they target. The service level is comparatively higher because they don’t focus on other domains of technology. They just keep the revenue flowing.

Reliability and availability– Multiple purpose and single-purpose, both cloud providers are at par with a certain level, in terms of reliability and availability. Geo-replication is a feature in cloud that offers data replication so that a business can store the same data across different locations around the globe.

Longevity– Most of the general-purpose cloud providers are currently big enough that they can fundamentally operate on their own. When you consider a single purpose vendor, even if it is acquired, it rarely offers any type of service change.

Businesses need both single and multiple purpose cloud service providers for the development of their service or products. Still, choices will be different based on the usage and actionability of the provider and services.