As businesses increasingly rely on cloud platforms and applications for collaboration, productivity, and operations, understanding their security features is critical—especially when managing subscriptions to mitigate risks like Shadow IT, Shadow AI, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Below is a guide to the most popular cloud platforms and applications currently in use, based on recent market trends, developer surveys, and enterprise adoption. Following that, I’ll compare the security features of one widely used application—Zoom—across its free and paid plans, focusing on how subscription management impacts security.
Most Popular Cloud Platforms in 2025
Cloud platforms provide the infrastructure for hosting applications, managing data, and scaling operations. Based on recent data, the following are the most popular cloud platforms in 2025, widely adopted across industries for their scalability, services, and developer support:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS):
AWS remains the market leader, holding a 33% market share in global cloud infrastructure as of early 2022, with continued growth through 2025. It’s favored by 48% of developers (Statista, 2024) for its extensive services, including IaaS (EC2, S3), PaaS, and SaaS offerings. AWS supports over 100 availability zones across 31 regions, making it ideal for businesses needing global reach. Its popularity stems from its scalability, reliability, and support for AI, machine learning, and analytics workloads. - Microsoft Azure:
Azure is the second most popular platform, with a 23% market share and 27.8% developer usage in 2024. It’s heavily adopted by enterprises, with 95% of Fortune 500 companies relying on it. Azure’s 200+ services span IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with strengths in hybrid cloud deployments and integration with Microsoft products like Office 365. Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing and free 30-day trial make it accessible, though it’s noted as the most expensive among the “big three” (AWS, Azure, GCP). - Google Cloud Platform (GCP):
GCP holds a 10-12% market share and is used by 29% of developers (Stack Overflow, 2021). It’s popular for its AI, machine learning, and data analytics capabilities, as well as Kubernetes container management. GCP’s integration with Google Workspace (Docs, Drive) appeals to smaller companies, and its global coverage ensures low latency. Developers appreciate its free tier and $300 credit for new users. - DigitalOcean:
DigitalOcean ranks fourth in global market share, favored by developers and small to medium-sized businesses for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. It offers IaaS solutions like Droplets (virtual machines), managed Kubernetes, and databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL). Its user-friendly interface, transparent pricing, and developer-focused features (e.g., one-click app deployments) make it a go-to for startups. - Alibaba Cloud:
Alibaba Cloud is a leader in Asia, particularly in China, with an 18% market share in China’s cloud infrastructure (China Internet Watch, 2021). It provides a wide range of services, including compute, storage, and container orchestration (TKE). Its competitive pricing and growing global presence (especially in Southeast Asia) make it a strong contender for businesses operating in the region. - Salesforce:
Salesforce dominates the SaaS space, particularly for customer relationship management (CRM). It’s widely used for sales, marketing, and analytics, offering cloud-based applications that integrate with other platforms (e.g., Google Sheets). Salesforce’s scalability and focus on business applications make it a staple for enterprises. - SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP):
SAP BTP, with 16,000 customers, focuses on enterprise-grade PaaS, IaaS, and SaaS. It excels in database management, analytics, and app development, holding a 0.27% market share in PaaS. Its open platform helps companies integrate processes and data seamlessly, making it popular among large organizations.
Most Popular Cloud Applications in 2025
Cloud applications, often built on these platforms, are critical for daily operations. Here are the most widely used applications, based on their adoption across personal and business use:
- Google Drive:
Google Drive is a leading cloud storage solution, integrating with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office for seamless collaboration. Its accessibility across devices and unlimited storage (via paid plans) make it a favorite for both individuals and businesses. - Dropbox:
Dropbox offers cloud storage with a focus on file synchronization across devices. Its ease of use, secure sharing options (e.g., password-protected links), and global accessibility contribute to its widespread adoption. - Slack:
Slack is a top collaboration tool, enabling real-time messaging, file sharing, and channel-based communication. Its integration with other apps (e.g., Jira, Google Drive) and scalability make it a staple for teams worldwide. - Zoom:
Zoom became a household name during the pandemic and remains a leading video conferencing tool. Its cloud-based infrastructure ensures scalability, supporting everything from small meetings to large webinars. - Microsoft Office 365:
Office 365 provides cloud-based access to Microsoft’s suite (Word, Excel, Teams), with real-time collaboration features. Its integration with Azure and widespread enterprise adoption keep it at the forefront. - Salesforce:
As a SaaS application, Salesforce’s CRM tools are unmatched, offering data management, analytics, and customer insights for businesses of all sizes. - Netflix:
Netflix leverages AWS to deliver streaming services to millions globally. Its reliance on cloud infrastructure ensures scalability and low-latency content delivery.
Security Features Comparison: Zoom Free Plan vs. Business, Enterprise, and Education Plans
Zoom’s popularity as a video conferencing tool makes it a prime candidate for a security-focused comparison, especially considering the risks of Shadow IT (e.g., employees using free accounts for work) and Shadow AI (e.g., using unapproved AI tools during meetings). Below is a detailed breakdown of Zoom’s security features across its plans: Free, Business, Enterprise, and Education.
1. User Access and Identity Management
- Free Plan:
The Free plan supports basic user access for up to 100 participants per meeting but lacks advanced identity management. There’s no Single Sign-On (SSO) or admin-enforced two-factor authentication (2FA). Users can enable 2FA manually, but there’s no way to mandate it, increasing the risk of unauthorized access if passwords are weak or shared. - Business Plan:
Priced at $19.99 per user per month (minimum 10 users), the Business plan introduces SSO via SAML, allowing integration with identity providers like Okta or Azure AD. Admins can enforce 2FA for all users, reducing the risk of account compromise. Managed domains let admins claim company email domains, mitigating Shadow IT risks. - Enterprise Plan:
Enterprise (custom pricing, 50+ users) includes all Business features plus advanced user provisioning via SCIM, enabling automated user management. It also supports vanity URLs for branding and domain control, ensuring all Zoom usage is tracked under the organization’s domain. - Education Plan:
Tailored for schools (custom pricing), the Education plan mirrors Business features like SSO and 2FA enforcement. It also includes student-specific settings, such as restricting meetings to authenticated users only (e.g., school email logins), enhancing security for educational settings.
Takeaway: Free plans lack SSO and 2FA enforcement, posing risks for teams using Zoom for sensitive discussions. Business, Enterprise, and Education plans offer robust IAM to prevent unauthorized access and Shadow IT.
2. Data Protection and Encryption
- Free Plan:
Zoom Free provides end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for meetings, but it’s not enabled by default—users must opt in. There’s no support for managing encryption keys, and recordings are limited to local storage (not cloud), with a 40-minute meeting cap. This limits data protection for longer sessions involving sensitive data. - Business Plan:
Business enables cloud recordings with E2EE, storing them securely in Zoom’s cloud (up to 5GB). Admins can control recording permissions, ensuring only authorized users can record. However, there’s no custom encryption key management. - Enterprise Plan:
Enterprise increases cloud storage (up to 50GB) and introduces Zoom Customer Managed Key (CMK), allowing admins to use their own encryption keys via a key management service (e.g., AWS KMS). This ensures full control over data at rest, critical for regulated industries. - Education Plan:
Education offers similar E2EE and cloud recording features as Business, with 5GB of storage. It also includes safeguards like disabling recordings for students, ensuring data privacy in academic settings.
Takeaway: Free plans offer basic E2EE but lack cloud storage and key management, risking data exposure. Paid plans provide secure cloud storage and advanced encryption options.
3. Audit Logs and Activity Monitoring
- Free Plan:
Audit logs are unavailable in the Free plan. Admins can’t track user activity, such as logins, meeting joins, or recording downloads, making it impossible to detect unauthorized access or Shadow AI usage (e.g., integrating unapproved AI transcription tools). - Business Plan:
Business introduces audit logs, allowing admins to monitor user activity, including meeting attendance and recording access. However, logs are basic and lack real-time alerts or SIEM integration. - Enterprise Plan:
Enterprise enhances audit logs with detailed insights, such as participant device info and meeting metadata. It integrates with SIEM systems (e.g., Splunk) for real-time monitoring and alerts on suspicious activity, like multiple failed logins. - Education Plan:
Education provides audit logs similar to Business, with added focus on student activity (e.g., tracking who joins meetings). It lacks SIEM integration but includes reporting for compliance with educational regulations like FERPA.
Takeaway: Free plans offer no visibility into user activity, leaving you blind to security incidents. Paid plans provide audit logs, with Enterprise offering the most robust monitoring.
4. Compliance and Privacy Features
- Free Plan:
Free plans meet basic privacy standards (e.g., GDPR, CCPA) but lack compliance features like HIPAA support or data residency options. There’s no ability to control where data is stored, which can violate regional regulations. - Business Plan:
Business supports HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), making it suitable for healthcare. It also offers data residency options (e.g., US, EU), ensuring compliance with local laws. - Enterprise Plan:
Enterprise expands compliance to include FedRAMP Moderate and adds advanced data residency controls. It also supports eDiscovery for legal holds, simplifying compliance audits. - Education Plan:
Education is FERPA-compliant and includes data residency options. It also provides student data privacy features, such as restricting data sharing outside the school domain.
Takeaway: Free plans lack compliance tools for regulated industries. Business, Enterprise, and Education plans offer HIPAA, FERPA, and data residency support, critical for privacy compliance.
5. Advanced Security and Threat Detection
- Free Plan:
Free plans include basic security like waiting rooms and meeting passwords but lack advanced features like domain restrictions or threat detection. This makes them vulnerable to Shadow IT risks, such as employees using free accounts for work meetings. - Business Plan:
Business adds managed domains, allowing admins to claim company email domains and prevent unauthorized Zoom accounts (Shadow IT). It also includes role-based access control (RBAC) to limit admin privileges. - Enterprise Plan:
Enterprise introduces advanced threat detection, such as monitoring for phishing attempts in meeting invites. It also includes Zoom Phone security features (if purchased), like call encryption and voicemail protection. - Education Plan:
Education mirrors Business features but adds restrictions like preventing students from creating public meetings, reducing the risk of external exposure.
Takeaway: Free plans lack advanced security to combat Shadow IT and threats. Paid plans offer domain management and threat detection, with Enterprise providing the most comprehensive protections.
Recommendations for Zoom Users
- Small Teams (1-10 Users): The Free plan is suitable for casual use, but its lack of SSO, audit logs, and compliance features makes it risky for business use. Upgrade to Business for basic security.
- Growing Teams (10-50 Users): Business is ideal, offering SSO, HIPAA compliance, and managed domains to mitigate Shadow IT risks.
- Large Organizations (50+ Users): Enterprise is necessary for advanced encryption, SIEM integration, and FedRAMP compliance, especially for industries with strict regulations.
- Educational Institutions: The Education plan provides tailored security for schools, ensuring FERPA compliance and student data protection.
Conclusion
The most popular cloud platforms in 2025—AWS, Azure, GCP, DigitalOcean, Alibaba Cloud, Salesforce, and SAP BTP—offer robust infrastructure for hosting applications, with varying strengths in scalability, AI, and enterprise support. Popular applications like Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, Zoom, Office 365, Salesforce, and Netflix dominate for their ease of use and collaboration features. However, as the Zoom comparison shows, free plans often lack critical security features, exposing businesses to risks like Shadow IT, Shadow AI, and data breaches. Subscription management is key to ensuring you’re on the right plan with the necessary protections. Tools like RiskImmune AI can further help by identifying untracked subscriptions, cutting costs, and securing your cloud ecosystem, ensuring your organization thrives in a cloud-first world.
