What is multi-cloud?

Multi-cloud is a cloud computing model that describes the simultaneous use of IT services from various independent public cloud providers (such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud) within one IT environment. It is used to select the most specialized solution for different workloads, optimize costs, or minimize dependency on a single provider (vendor lock-in).

Strategy and concepts: Multi-cloud vs. hybrid multi-cloud

A multi-cloud strategy is a company’s deliberate approach to distributing its digital resources across multiple cloud platforms. The goal is to increase resilience through redundancy or maximize flexibility when choosing software features.

This model is often expanded into hybrid multi-cloud:

Definition: In this approach, a company combines the services of multiple public cloud providers with its own on-premises infrastructure (private cloud).
Function: Sensitive data often remains in the private cloud, while scalable compute capacity is sourced flexibly from various public cloud providers.

Reasons for the model? Current market data

According to the Bitkom Cloud Report 2025, this approach has become the standard in the German economy:

The main reasons for this trend are avoiding downtime and access to “best-of-breed” technologies from different providers.

Multi-cloud governance as a success factor

A frequently underestimated aspect is the complexity of administration. Experts recommend investing early in cloud management platforms (CMP). Without centralized control of security protocols and cost management across all providers, companies risk so-called “shadow IT” structures and skyrocketing spending.