5 Best Cloud Computing Stocks for 2022

AMZN, MSFT, GOOG, CRM, and CRWD are the best cloud computing stocks to buy after the pandemic accelerated the adoption of cloud-based computing.

Companies from all sectors were forced to establish or increase their online presence.

However, companies that were once hesitant to digitize recognize the countless benefits of shifting their operations to the cloud.

This article will highlight the best cloud computing companies that are facilitating this change. 

Best Cloud Computing Stocks: Background 

Cloud computing is the delivery of on-demand computing services — from applications to storage and processing power — typically over the internet and on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Before cloud computing, companies had to own or maintain their own centralized IT infrastructure, which was extremely expensive and complex.

By migrating to “the cloud”, firms only pay for what they use and when they use it, which allows them to save money and scale their operations rapidly.

The services that cloud companies provide generally fall into one of three main categories, including:

Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) – this is the fundamental building blocks of computing, entailing access to computing resources such as servers, storage, and networking.

• Examples: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure

Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) – this provides users with a cloud environment in which they can develop, manage, and deliver their applications by using a suite of prebuilt tools offered by the provider.

• Examples: AWS Lambda and the Google App Engine

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) – this offering provides users with access to a vendor’s cloud-based software and applications via a subscription model.

• Examples: Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, and DocuSign

As you can see, several of these companies, like Amazon and Microsoft, compete in each one of these service domains. But without further ado, let’s look at the best cloud computing stocks.

Best Cloud Computing Stocks

Here are the best cloud computing stocks for 2022:

• Amazon (AMZN)
• Microsoft (MSFT)
• Google (GOOG)
• Salesforce (CRM)
• CrowdStrike (CRWD)

Now let’s review each of them in more detail. 

#1. Amazon (AMZN)

The clear leader of the pack.

Amazon seemingly has its hands in everything, from grocery stores to healthcare to space travel. These endeavors are made possible by Amazon Web Services (AWS), its profitable cloud platform.

Amazon takes its enormous profits from AWS, which were responsible for 63% of the company’s operating profits in 2020, and essentially subsidizes its other pursuits, allowing them to operate in the red until the Amazonian recipe gets its footing and its game over for another industry.

So, just how successful is AWS? Some call it the best business globally — as of Q2 2021, AWS’ market share in the worldwide cloud infrastructure market amounted to 32 percent.

That’s more than the combined market share of its two largest competitors, Microsoft and Google.

Amazon Web Services continues to capitalize on its position as the leader in public cloud computing and is still growing – its previous year’s revenue of $45.3 billion was up 30% year-over-year.

Many believe that Amazon will preemptively spin-off AWS into its own company to fend off antitrust allegations from regulators.

In fact, former AWS vice president Tim Bray believes that spinning off AWS could unleash additional business growth because it would eliminate any potential hesitance clients might feel about doing business with a company they compete against.

While the short-term future of Amazon and AWS is unpredictable, one thing’s for sure: AWS will continue to dominate the cloud.

#2. Microsoft (MSFT)

The old dog is learning new tricks.

Microsoft’s third CEO, Satya Nadella, succeeding Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, realized that the company needed to re-spark its innovation culture to remain competitive in the tech world.

In 2014, Nadella shifted Microsoft’s focus to its cloud service Azure — a pivot that reinvented the software giant and propelled it to astonishing heights.

Today, Microsoft Azure accounts for 20% of the worldwide cloud infrastructure market. While Microsoft does not release exact Azure revenue numbers (to avoid comparisons with AWS), its revenue grew 48% in Q1 2021.

Microsoft’s moat has been its full suite of SaaS products — from its longtime cash cow Office 365 to its new Teams platform — but its effort to build up its IaaS offering has done wonders for the stock price.

Microsoft is leveraging its enormous and loyal enterprise base to make Azure one of the strongest players in the cloud-space.

It has benefitted from its SaaS foundation. Many customers prefer to integrate their cloud products under the same roof and opt for Azure instead of AWS.

Wall Street favors companies with scalable recurring revenue, such as Azure products. Its suite of sticky products suggests the company will continue to impress investors.

#3. Google (GOOG)

Google does cloud computing too.

We’re talking tech, so you know it can’t be long before we mention Google. The Silicon Valley darling has cornered a respectable 9% of the cloud market with its Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Companies that seek advanced AI and machine learning capabilities have been gravitating toward the Google Cloud Platform over AWS and Azure.

Cloud expert Nick McQuire of CSS Insight believes that Google Cloud is “the market’s fiercest challenger” because of its engineering muscle, particularly how customers gain access to and engage Google engineers for co-development.

Additionally, the firm’s culture of innovation and encouragement of open source makes it an attractive choice for customers who prioritize these ideals.

Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian suggests that they solve the “multi-cloud problem” better than Microsoft or Amazon, claiming its latest “Anthos” product — which is a hybrid cloud offering — unifies administration, policies, and security better than its competitors.

However, Google’s parent Alphabet disclosed for the first time that the cloud unit has lost money for years — burning at least $4 billion in each of its last three years.

Kurian said he’s focused on growth for now, with an eye toward profitability later.

“Scale will bring material improvements in profitability. And we’re very focused on that. We know in this business we need scale in order to be profitable.”

It will be exciting to watch Google Cloud compete for and gain market share in the coming years.

#4. Salesforce (CRM)

The gold standard of SaaS.

If you’re reading about cloud companies, you’ve definitely heard of Salesforce, but what exactly does Salesforce do?

Salesforce offers the #1 customer relationship management (CRM) service on the market — hence their ticker symbol CRM.

Salesforce’s flagship offering, “Customer 360”, is a suite of cloud-based applications that organize your company’s data into a single customer view.

Companies that use Customer 360 select only the applications they need, resulting in a completely customizable dashboard in addition to lower costs and complexity.

However, Salesforce boasts that companies who add more than one app see more productivity, efficiency, and a better return on investment.

Salesforce currently offers 14 apps:

• Sales
• Service
• Marketing
• Commerce
• Analytics
• Integration
• Platform
• Industries
• Learning
• Employees
• Partners
• Success
• Einstein AI
• Truth

As you can see, Salesforce is truly the king of SaaS for corporations and small businesses alike.

Salesforce’s products are sticky, and their customer retention rate is through the roof. This kind of recurring revenue bundle and upsell opportunities are why its stock has performed so well.

This 20-year-old company is pioneering the digital transformation for over 3 million subscribers — its cloud platform is truly changing how companies and customers interact.

#5. CrowdStrike (CRWD)

Cybersecurity is important too. 

CrowdStrike is keeping the cloud safe and free of pollution — it is an industry leader and among the best cybersecurity stocks.

CrowdStrike uses artificial intelligence to predict new attacks and to update its defense protocols in real-time.

The company’s co-founder, George Kurtz, calls CrowdStrike “the Salesforce of Cybersecurity” because it redefines company security standards much like Salesforce redefined how companies communicate with customers.

Like Salesforce, CrowdStrike offers a host of security services that customers can select and subscribe to, resulting in a customizable experience that allows clients to only pay for the services that they need.

Each company will need a cybersecurity fortress as more and more of their business operations migrate to the cloud.

CrowdStrike is poised to be the favorite choice in the hypercompetitive cybersecurity space.

Alternatives to the Best Cloud Computing Stocks

Investors looking for diversification in the highly competitive cloud space may be interested in a cloud computing ETF.

These ETFstend to hold smaller cloud companies that still have high growth potential.

These ETFs include growth stocks that stand to benefit from the increased adoption of cloud-based computing, including firms that provide and develop IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.

Some of the best cloud computing ETFs are the First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY), the Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU), and the WisdomTree Cloud Computing ETF (WCLD). 

Best Cloud Computing Stocks: FAQs

What are the best cloud computing stocks?

The best cloud computing stocks (in terms of providing cloud infrastructure) are the FAAMG giants: Amazon, Microsoft, and Google.

These tech giants dominate the IaaS space and control over 60% of the worldwide ecosystem.

However, there are several software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies that may be worth your time and money as well: Salesforce, Dropbox, Zoom (ZM), Twilio (TWLO), Snowflake (SNOW), Oracle (ORCL).

What companies will benefit the most from cloud computing?

Every company in every industry can benefit from cloud computing because they use technology to conduct business operations.

However, companies that effectively embrace digital transformation will benefit exponentially more than those who are hesitant to change.

What are the best AI stocks to buy right now?

Artificial intelligence is now used in every sector under the sun but investing in Big Tech companies is the most effective way to gain AI exposure.

Here are the best AI stocks to buy right now:

• Palantir (PLTR)
• Nvidia Corp (NVDA)
• AMD (AMD)
• Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL)
• IBM (IBM)
• Meta (FB)
• Salesforce (CRM)
• Micron Technology (MU)
• Unity Technologies (U) 
• Amazon (AMZN)
• Snapchat (SNAP)
• Tesla (TSLA)
• Netflix (NFLX)
• Block (SQ)
• PayPal (PYPL)
• Moderna (MRNA)
• CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP)

The Bottom Line: Best Cloud Computing Stocks

Like most verticals in the technology environment, Big Tech companies lead the charge, and it’s no different when it comes to cloud computing.

We believe the best way to get exposure to the rise of cloud computing is to invest in companies providing the infrastructure.

This article is for informational purposes only, and it is not intended to be investment advice. Read our editorial guidelines and public equities research methodology to learn more about how we selected the best cloud computing stocks. 

This article was updated on May 5th, 2022 to reflect the changes in performance and characteristics of each stock.