Cloud computing stocks give investors exposure to the companies that power how data, software, and digital services run today. These businesses provide the infrastructure and platforms that let organizations store information, run applications, and scale operations over the internet -- a foundation that’s becoming more critical every year.
After gaining traction in the 2010s, cloud adoption accelerated during the shift to remote work and is now entering a new growth phase driven by generative AI, 5G, and connected devices.
For investors, cloud computing stocks offer exposure to long-term digital transformation, access to leading tech innovators, and participation in some of the fastest-growing areas of the technology sector, making cloud a compelling investment theme for 2026 and beyond.
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Current price | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce (NYSE:CRM) | $159.5 billion | $174.10 | Software |
| Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) | $97.1 billion | $240.36 | Software |
| Snowflake (NYSE:SNOW) | $46.4 billion | $136.62 | IT Services |
| Zoom Communications (NASDAQ:ZM) | $24.4 billion | $82.64 | Software |
| ServiceNow (NYSE:NOW) | $93.2 billion | $89.72 | Software |
| The Trade Desk (NASDAQ:TTD) | $10.1 billion | $21.46 | Media |
| DigitalOcean (NYSE:DOCN) | $7.3 billion | $74.70 | IT Services |
NYSE: CRM
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Offering a complete suite of software to help business teams manage data and get work done efficiently, Salesforce has become a full-blown tech platform for businesses of all types and sizes. Plus, it's a top way to play smaller cloud upstarts, as it often invests in or acquires stakes in its peers.
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 grew diluted earnings per share (EPS) in fiscal 2026 to $7.80 from $6.36 in fiscal 2025, and management projects diluted EPS of $7.85 to $7.93.
NASDAQ: ADBE
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NYSE: SNOW
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NASDAQ: ZM
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NYSE: NOW
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ServiceNow helps about 8,800 companies worldwide identify 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 artificial intelligence (AI), ServiceNow could be a big winner, building on its recent success. After growing subscription revenue 21% year over year to $12.9 billion in fiscal 2025, management projects subscription revenue will grow another 21% this year and total about $15.6 billion in fiscal 2026.
NASDAQ: TTD
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NYSE: DOCN
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Besides offering cloud infrastructure for small businesses to test and host web-based services and apps, it also offers services for the non-tech-savvy outfit. It acquired Cloudways, a company that offers website building and hosting.
Despite its tiny size, DigitalOcean operates efficiently. It generates healthy, growing free cash flow, and net income. The company reported 2025 diluted earnings per share of $2.52.
Projecting year-over-year sales growth of approximately 21% in fiscal year 2026 and 30% in 2027, DigitalOcean could be a quality small- to mid-cap stock worth investing in for the long haul.
How to buy cloud computing stocks
If you think you're ready to start investing in cloud computing 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. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
- 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.
Benefits and risks of investing in cloud computing stocks
Investing in cloud computing stocks may be a compelling opportunity for some, but investors must examine both the benefits and risks before proceeding.
Benefits
- Global cloud spending is expected to grow considerably, the industry is projected to grow from about $752 billion in 2024 to $2.4 trillion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
- More efficient than legacy IT, cloud computing enhances technology such as AI, machine learning, and gaming.
- Cloud computing stocks can help investors diversify their portfolios.
Risks
- There's intense competition, and smaller cloud computing stocks may struggle if larger players become too dominant.
- Leading cloud computing stocks may suffer if companies fail to innovate.
- Many cloud computing stocks trade at high valuations, and if the companies fail to deliver on the lofty expectations baked into their prices, the market may punish them.
Should you invest in cloud computing stocks?
Cloud computing picked up steam during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained an enduring growth story since.
As with all high-growth stocks, though, investing in cloud companies will have its bumps in the road. Investors should stay focused on the long-term potential, not just on stock price performance over a year or two.
Related investing topics
FAQ
Investing in Cloud Computing Stocks FAQ
About the Author
Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Alphabet, Amazon, DigitalOcean, International Business Machines, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Monday.com, Netflix, Nvidia, Oracle, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snowflake, The Trade Desk, and Zoom Communications. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $330 calls on Adobe and short January 2028 $340 calls on Adobe. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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