Apache CloudStack Use Cases

A powerful and easy-to-use, manage and deploy IaaS management solution, which runs mission-critical workloads in diverse industries

cloudstack use cases

Apache CloudStack - Endless Possibilities

CloudStack can manage tens of thousands of physical servers installed in geographically distributed data centers. It is a powerful IaaS management solution, but it is still easy-to-use and implement with a small team of people. Powered by a vibrant open-source community, Apache CloudStack eliminates the dependencies and allows you to follow your own cloud development plan, and use the hardware and software of your choice and business requirements.

Cloud Service Providers

Cloud technology has become an indispensable asset for businesses of all sizes, from SMEs seeking agility and avoiding prohibitive CAPEX to enterprises and government departments. The early domination of hyperscalers in the IaaS space led many smaller service providers to pivot from offering their own IaaS solutions, opting instead for commercial models with these hyperscalers. However, the ever-growing demand for not just commodity cloud, but also specialized services such as hybrid, geo-spanned deployments, edge computing, and data sovereign environments, has prompted many service providers to reconsider their strategies.

Apache CloudStack seamlessly integrates with your existing infrastructure, significantly reducing the costs and time required to build a multi-tenant IaaS platform. One of CloudStack’s most notable advantages is its unparalleled simplicity and ease of use, even for large-scale and geo-distributed environments. With CloudStack, cloud providers can effortlessly orchestrate hosted public and private clouds, on-premise private clouds, and hybrid environments without the need for an extensive operations team to provide long-term support. Elevate your cloud strategy with the power and flexibility of Apache CloudStack, and unlock the full potential of your cloud infrastructure.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Managed Service Providers

In response to the increasing demand for specialized cloud services, including hybrid deployments and data sovereign environments, many MSPs are adopting Apache CloudStack to simplify their cloud management and ensure cost predictability. CloudStack seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure, minimizing costs and time associated with building multi-tenant IaaS platforms. Its notable advantages for MSPs are the ease of use and multi-tenancy, providing MSPs with the ability to optimize resource utilization and allocate services efficiently across different clients. This is crucial for providers aiming to meet the diverse needs of their client base without incurring unnecessary infrastructure overhead. Furthermore, CloudStack’s flexibility allows MSPs to support specialized services such as hybrid deployments, edge computing, and geo-spanned infrastructure. This adaptability ensures that service providers can tailor their offerings to specific client requirements, positioning CloudStack as a versatile solution for evolving market trends.

Apache CloudStack offers MSPs a robust, cost-effective, and flexible solution to elevate their cloud strategies and avoid vendor lock-in. What makes it an ideal platform for MSPs seeking to enhance their cloud offerings is the fact it is open-source and helps MSPs to stay competitive on the market.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Telecom Cloud Services Provisioning

Telecommunication companies can leverage the power of Apache CloudStack to deliver cutting-edge cloud-based services, including virtual network functions, infrastructure as a service, and advanced edge computing capabilities with Edge zones. This empowers telecom operators to expand their service offerings, unlock new revenue streams, and simplify network infrastructure management. Apache CloudStack serves as a versatile platform, enabling the delivery of innovative and tailored solutions to customers.

By embracing Edge zones, telecom companies can significantly enhance the user experience by reducing latency and ensuring high performance, even in remote locations. With Apache CloudStack, telecom providers can cater to customers across diverse geographic regions, transforming the way they connect and engage with the digital world.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Enterprise Private Cloud

Empower your organization with Apache CloudStack to manage your enterprise private cloud, delivering a tailor-made environment designed to meet your unique needs. Experience the unparalleled agility and scalability typically associated with cloud computing while maintaining control over your data and resources. Apache CloudStack revolutionizes virtualized infrastructure management, streamlines provisioning processes, and simplifies the deployment of cutting-edge applications and services.

Embrace enterprise private cloud with Apache CloudStack to align your IT infrastructure with your specific business requirements and security concerns, driving efficiency and optimizing resource utilization. Leverage the benefits of cost reduction and repatriation, as you take control of your infrastructure expenses through resource optimization and reduced reliance on third-party cloud service providers. With Apache CloudStack, your business can harness the power of cloud computing while maintaining full control over your private cloud infrastructure, striking the perfect balance between cost-effectiveness and data sovereignty.

Apache CloudStack streamlines provisioning and deployment, empowering developers to innovate within a controlled and optimized private cloud infrastructure.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Software as a Service Solutions

Apache CloudStack stands out as a core technology for SaaS Companies, enabling them to deliver scalable, reliable and efficient cloud-based applications. With its robust IaaS management capabilities including support for Kubernetes applications, CloudStack provides a broad and flexible foundation for SaaS platforms, ensuring seamless scalability to handle fluctuating user demands and data growth.


For SaaS providers, Apache CloudStack provides a dynamic environment that supports rapid application deployment and scaling. By leveraging CloudStack’s efficient resource management, SaaS platforms can optimize operational costs while delivering high-performance services to their users.


CloudStack simplifies the complexities of deploying and scaling cloud resources, allowing developers to focus on innovation and enhance application functionality. CloudStack compatibility with multiple hypervisors other than Kubertes through CloudStack Kubernetes Service (CKS) and Cluster API CloudStack Provider (CAPC) and its open-source nature also gives developers the flexibility to customize solutions according to specific project requirements, simplifying the process of deploying and updating SaaS applications.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Financial Technology

For Fintech companies which operate in a highly regulated and security-conscious industry, Apache CloudStack offers a secure, compliant, and agile cloud infrastructure. It enables Fintech organizations to manage sensitive financial data while adhering to stringent regulatory standards, ensuring data protection and privacy. CloudStack equips Fintech companies with a robust platform that supports high-volume transactions and complex data analytics, essential for financial services. Its scalable architecture ensures that Fintech firms can handle peak loads efficiently, maintaining high availability and performance. Additionally, CloudStack’s security features and compliance capabilities make it an ideal choice for Fintech companies concerned with data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.


Developers in the Fintech sector can leverage Apache CloudStack to create secure and scalable financial applications. CloudStack’s environment supports rapid development and deployment of applications that require high levels of data encryption and security. The platform’s flexibility also allows for the integration of advanced financial analytics tools, enabling developers to build innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the finance industry.

on-premise cloud vs hyperscaler's

Discover More About CloudStack and How We Can Help You With It

cloudstack stories

Customer Stories

Apache CloudStack is deployed by major telcos, service providers and enterprises globally. Learn about some of our customer stories. 

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Bootcamp Training Course

A fast-paced training course which gives you the core skills needed to build and operate your Apache CloudStack® cloud internally.

Community

We are proud to be the largest code contributor to the Apache CloudStack Project since 2015. As part of our team, we have 18 Project Committers and 8 PMC members.

Use Cases

Apache CloudStack eliminates the dependencies and allows you to follow your own cloud development plan, and use the hardware and software of your choice and business requirements.

Edge Computing

pache CloudStack addresses the growing need for cost-effective solutions, robust data protection, and exceptional end-user services. As edge computing gains traction among cloud providers, CloudStack empowers operators to deploy lightweight Zones in edge locations, streamlining operations and reducing complexity with its efficient approach to infrastructure management.

Embrace the future of cloud and edge computing with Apache CloudStack, which introduces Edge Zones that can be easily integrated into your existing infrastructure. This groundbreaking solution enables organizations to manage both traditional Cloud (Core Zones) and Edge Zones from a single, unified platform. Experience the versatility of Apache CloudStack as it supports the broadest range of edge computing use cases, ensuring your organization stays ahead in today’s competitive landscape. Unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation with the power of Apache CloudStack’s lightweight edge computing solutions.

  • Business Solution
    Embrace Apache CloudStack’s groundbreaking Edge Zones, seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure to manage both traditional Cloud and Edge Zones from a unified platform, unlocking new growth opportunities and ensuring competitive advantage in today’s market.

  • Developers Solution
    Apache CloudStack empowers developers to deploy lightweight Zones in edge locations, streamlining operations and fostering innovation with its versatile and efficient approach to infrastructure management for a wide range of edge computing use cases.

Test and Dev Environments

Revolutionize your development and testing processes with Apache CloudStack, an outstanding solution for optimizing your work environments. Experience unparalleled agility and flexibility as CloudStack’s cloud-based infrastructure allows your organization to rapidly provision and scale resources on-demand, streamlining workflows, reducing time-to-market, and lowering latency-related costs.

Boost your team’s collaboration and efficiency with CloudStack’s seamless, unified platform. Its robust capabilities simplify deploying, monitoring, and managing resources, empowering your team to focus on delivering exceptional applications and services. By reducing latency, CloudStack helps minimize associated costs, ensuring optimal performance at a competitive price. Stay ahead in today’s fast-paced landscape and drive innovation with Apache CloudStack, the dependable choice for managing and enhancing your development and testing workflows in the cloud.

  • Business Solution
    Boost collaboration and efficiency with Apache CloudStack’s unified platform, streamlining development and testing processes, reducing time-to-market, and optimizing cost-performance. Its agility, flexibility, and robust capabilities position your organization for innovation and success in today’s competitive landscape.

  • Developers Solution
    Apache CloudStack empowers developers with a seamless cloud-based infrastructure that simplifies deploying, monitoring, and managing resources, allowing rapid provisioning and scaling, and focusing on delivering exceptional applications and services with reduced latency.

High-Performance Computing

Discover the power of Apache CloudStack, a robust and versatile platform expertly designed for managing various workload environments, including High-Performance Computing (HPC). By delegating large-scale data processing and complex simulations to the underlying hypervisor, CloudStack enables organizations to harness the benefits of cloud-based infrastructure for research, engineering, and analytics, employing tailored hardware and software solutions to meet their unique needs.

Experience unparalleled flexibility with Apache CloudStack, allowing organizations to scale their HPC resources effortlessly in response to evolving demands. Boasting built-in support for scaling in and out, as well as dynamically scaling up and down infrastructure resources, CloudStack delivers an adaptive environment for optimized resource allocation. The platform’s hot-plug capabilities facilitate the seamless addition or removal of resources like CPU and memory, without interrupting ongoing workloads. This level of adaptability ensures organizations can maintain efficient and cost-effective high-performance computing environments, empowering them to stay ahead in the competitive landscape and remain focused on delivering innovative solutions.

  • Business Solution
    Utilize Apache CloudStack’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities to maintain efficient and adaptable computing environments, enhancing your organization’s competitive edge through optimized resource allocation and innovative solutions.

  • Developers Solution
    Leverage Apache CloudStack’s robust platform for High-Performance Computing (HPC) to scale and manage workloads with ease, enabling developers to focus on creativity, innovation, and the seamless delivery of complex simulations and analytics.

Hypervisor Migration

The hypervisor market continues to evolve, and enterprises are seeking flexible, cost-effective alternatives to established solutions like VMware. In response to this growing demand, innovative open-source hypervisors have emerged as competitive options, empowering businesses to adapt and thrive in a dynamic environment. These open-source solutions provide substantial benefits, including reduced licensing costs, increased vendor independence, and the flexibility to tailor virtualization platforms to specific enterprise needs.

Apache CloudStack is a versatile IaaS Orchestration Platform that seamlessly integrates with a wide range of hypervisors, delivering a unified, vendor-neutral abstraction layer. By adopting CloudStack, enterprises can manage mixed hypervisor environments with ease, fostering agility, and mitigating the risks of vendor lock-in. This transformative solution unlocks unparalleled flexibility, streamlines the migration journey, and harnesses the power of cutting-edge virtualization technology to drive business success while maximizing cost savings and fostering innovation.

  • Business Solution
    Unleash the potential of your virtualization strategy with Apache CloudStack, facilitating seamless hypervisor migration and fostering business agility. Embrace cost-effective, flexible solutions tailored to meet enterprise demands, steering clear of vendor lock-in.

  • Developers Solution
    Utilize Apache CloudStack’s IaaS Orchestration Platform to integrate a diverse range of hypervisors, streamlining your development process. Experience unprecedented flexibility, reduced licensing costs, and the empowerment of open-source solutions to innovate and adapt in a dynamic technological landscape.

Big Data Analysis

Apache CloudStack is a flexible solution for managing big data workloads, allowing organizations to proficiently process, analyze, and store massive amounts of data. By harnessing the native capabilities of various storage solutions supported by the underlying hypervisor, CloudStack streamlines the deployment of a cloud-based infrastructure tailored for data-intensive tasks, guaranteeing seamless integration of your big data application.

As a versatile platform, Apache CloudStack equips organizations to manage the escalating volume, variety, and velocity of data generation. Its scalable architecture ensures the effective allocation of resources, facilitating seamless scaling to accommodate future data growth demands. By choosing CloudStack, organizations can maintain an efficient and cost-effective big data environment, fostering innovation and securing a competitive edge in today’s data-driven landscape.

  • Business Solution
    Leverage Apache CloudStack’s streamlined architecture for managing big data workloads, allowing your organization to harness, process, and analyze massive volumes of data. Unlock efficiency and cost-effectiveness in your data-driven strategies, ensuring scalable solutions that foster innovation.

  • Developers Solution
    With Apache CloudStack, take control of your big data challenges, utilizing a versatile platform that integrates seamlessly with various storage solutions. Experience the ease of deployment and scaling, empowering your development teams to focus on creating innovative solutions in today’s competitive, data-intensive environment.

Global High Availability Cloud

Apache CloudStack is an advanced and adaptable solution for building a highly available global cloud, tailored to meet the demands of modern organizations. Its robust architecture incorporates software-defined networking (SDN) and software-defined storage (SDS), ensuring that your applications and services remain accessible and perform optimally, even when faced with unexpected challenges or disruptions. SDN enables sophisticated features such as cross-zone redundancy, automated failover, and continuous load balancing, while SDS empowers organizations to deploy geographically diverse infrastructure and implement efficient disaster recovery strategies.

Together, these technologies help minimize the risks associated with localized failures or outages, ultimately providing a truly resilient and highly available cloud environment. Experience the assurance of knowing that your critical applications and services are supported by a robust and reliable cloud infrastructure, specifically designed to drive your organization’s growth and success. Apache CloudStack’s integration of advanced technologies unlocks the full potential of a global high-availability cloud, allowing you to stay ahead in today’s dynamic digital landscape.

  • Business Solution
    Utilize Apache CloudStack to create a resilient, global high-availability cloud that ensures uninterrupted access to critical applications and services. Its sophisticated integration of SDN and SDS technologies guarantees optimal performance, reducing risks and driving success in the competitive digital landscape.

  • Developers Solution
    Leverage Apache CloudStack’s robust architecture for building a highly available global cloud. Experience unparalleled flexibility with features like cross-zone redundancy and automated failover, enabling your development team to focus on innovation and growth, backed by a reliable and resilient cloud infrastructure.

Get an Advisory Session with a Cloud Architect

Interested to learn more about Apache CloudStack and how to use it for delivering or managing a cloud? Get in touch with our CloudStack engineers and benefit from an initial advisory session from a cloud architect!

ShapeBlue

Download a step-by-step guide to migrate your existing vSphere environment to a robust IaaS cloud environment based on Apache CloudStack and the KVM Hypervisor, ensuring a smooth, low-friction migration journey.