Cloud computing stocks offer exposure to companies that provide internet-based computing services, infrastructure, platforms, or software. These companies enable businesses and individuals to store, process, and access data and applications remotely rather than on local servers or personal computers.
Cloud Computing
Although cloud computing boomed during the 2010s, this next-gen IT industry is still in the early innings. For years, organizations around the globe have been migrating their operations to the cloud -- digital data and services stored within a remote data center and accessed via the internet.
However, the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the trend. Now, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has kicked off the next wave of cloud expansion.
Business research provider Grand View Research projects that spending on global cloud computing (including data center infrastructure and edge computing) will increase at a 21.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from an estimated $752.4 billion in 2024 to $2.4 trillion in 2030.
Cloud computing is also closely tied to other tech developments such as mobile 5G networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI). Clearly, cloud computing stocks are a top investment theme for 2025 and the decade to follow.
Artificial Intelligence
Investing in the best cloud computing stocks of 2026
To get started, the best cloud stocks to invest in are the five largest public cloud giants:
- Amazon (AMZN -1.93%) Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft (MSFT -2.21%) Azure
- Alphabet's (GOOGL +0.69%) (GOOG +0.48%) Google Cloud
- Oracle (ORCL +0.41%) Cloud
- IBM (IBM -1.59%) Cloud
Although these companies aren't pure plays in the cloud industry, all five provide infrastructure and services for organizations undertaking a digital transformation (a phrase that encompasses the migration to cloud-based operations). They have the most complete ecosystems of software and partnerships with third-party software-as-a-service (SaaS) providers.
Beyond those big five, here are seven more focused companies that provide portfolio exposure to the development of the cloud:
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) | $237.6 billion | 0.66% | Software |
| Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) | $139.5 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW) | $74.2 billion | 0.00% | IT Services |
| Zoom Communications (NASDAQ:ZM) | $24.7 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) | $153.1 billion | 0.00% | Software |
| The Trade Desk (NASDAQ:TTD) | $18.2 billion | 0.00% | Media |
| DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN) | $4.5 billion | 0.00% | IT Services |
1. Salesforce
When talking about cloud computing, Salesforce (CRM -4.26%) needs to be part of the conversation. The customer relationship management (CRM) specialist was a pioneer of software that used cloud technology, which started in the late 1990s. Salesforce has since branched out to other areas of enterprise software via organic growth and a steady stream of acquisitions.
NYSE: CRM
Key Data Points
Salesforce's takeover of remote work and collaboration tool Slack put it on a collision course with Microsoft's Teams collaboration suite. Today, Salesforce offers a complete suite of software aimed at helping business teams manage data and get work done efficiently.
Due to its success in becoming a full-blown tech platform for businesses of all types and sizes, Salesforce is also a top way to play smaller cloud upstarts. It regularly invests in or acquires stakes in smaller cloud peers.
For instance, it invested in Snowflake (SNOW -1.19%) before its initial public offering (IPO) in 2020 (and sold it for a profit in 2021). It also acquired a stake in hot IPO Monday.com (MNDY -2.81%).
Salesforce fell on hard times in 2022 and faced activist investor pressure to boost profit margins. Founder and CEO Marc Benioff and the top team have made progress, though, and hope to become the world's largest and most profitable enterprise software company within the next few years.
It seems to be on the right track. Salesforce reported diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.21 for fiscal 2023 but booked diluted EPS of $6.36 in fiscal 2025. In the company's third-quarter fiscal 2026 financial results presentation, management projected strong fiscal 2026 profitability growth with EPS of $7.22 to $7.24.
2. Adobe
Software company Adobe (ADBE -4.77%) got its start in an IT era that predates both the cloud and the internet. But it has transformed itself into a leader in cloud services by adapting its large and expanding platform to the cloud era. Adobe's core competencies in providing creativity software and document editing have made it a staple of digital transformation.
NASDAQ: ADBE
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Although it isn't a serial acquirer like Salesforce, Adobe has made some big moves to round out its software suite. In 2018, it acquired small firms Marketo and Magento to bolster its position as a partner for e-commerce companies. In late 2020, it purchased Workfront to add workflow and project management solutions to its arsenal.
As a creative software specialist, Adobe is also well suited to tackle the new generative AI era. Its work with top chip designer Nvidia (NVDA +1.14%) helped it quickly release its Firefly suite of apps aimed at helping creatives increase their image and video creation and expand editing capabilities.
Paired with the organic growth that Adobe's legacy offerings still generate, this firm is a top free-cash-flow generator in the cloud industry. For fiscal years 2020 to 2024, Adobe averaged a free-cash-flow margin (free cash flow divided by revenue) of 39.8%.
3. Snowflake
The cloud increases a company's flexibility, often unlocks cost savings, and helps it get more done with the data it has on its operations and customers. However, with the adoption of the cloud comes an explosion of digital data and new security risk considerations. Managing that data is a complex task. That's where Snowflake comes in.
NYSE: SNOW
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NASDAQ: ZM
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NYSE: NOW
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ServiceNow helps about 8,400 companies around the world find chokepoints in their digital customer experiences, employee workflow management, or software development operations. Once these pain points are found, ServiceNow can help suggest and automate fixes.
In a new era of AI, ServiceNow could be a big winner, building on its recent success. After growing subscription revenue by 23% from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024, ServiceNow forecasted a year-over-year increase in subscription revenue of about 20% for fiscal 2025 when the company reported its third-quarter 2025 financial results.
NASDAQ: TTD
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NYSE: DOCN
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Types of cloud computing
Just as a variety of clouds drift over our heads, various sorts of clouds exist in the world of computing. A public cloud, for example, exists when third-party providers provide cloud computing services over the public internet, making them available to anyone who wants to use or purchase them.
On the other hand, a private cloud is a cloud infrastructure operated solely for a single organization. Private clouds may be managed internally or by a third party, and they may be hosted either on-premises or externally. A hybrid cloud infrastructure provides a unified, interconnected system in which data and applications can move between environments.
Cloud computing is a long-term growth trend
Cloud computing picked up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained an enduring growth story throughout the ensuing years for the following reasons:
- More efficient than legacy IT, it enhances technology such as AI, machine learning, and gaming.
- Organizations and their employees gain more flexibility with important functions such as remote work.
- Adopting cloud computing solutions is more cost-effective than developing more expensive hardware.
- It provides more sophisticated safety measures, helping users to protect their data against cyberattacks.
As is the case with all high-growth stocks, though, investing in cloud companies will have bumps in the road. Investors should stay focused on the long-term potential, not just stock price performance over the course of a year or two.
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How to invest in cloud computing stocks
If you think you're ready to start investing in adtech stocks, there are a few basic steps you must take.
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
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