6 Best Private Cloud Hosting Providers (Feb. 2024)

The best private cloud hosting providers combine customization, scalability, security, reliability, and support to set themselves apart from competitors. But given that more than 300,000 web hosting companies serve roughly 2 billion websites, how do you find the right one for your unique needs?

Finding a private cloud provider is even more challenging. You need specific features you won’t find in just any web host. For this reason, we have reviewed some great private hosting providers, including their key features and who needs them. We also discuss how private cloud hosting differs from public and hybrid alternatives.

As industries in finance, healthcare, and government, among others, continue to move their operations to the cloud, many are turning to private cloud hosting to meet their unique needs. This is because private cloud hosting offers organizations, especially those in industries with strict regulations, various benefits.

Although many web hosts offer this type of hosting, each hosting provider has unique features that make them stand out.

Founded in 1988, VMWare is a subsidiary of Dell Technologies. The California-based cloud host offers hosting solutions for more than 10 industries, including finance, healthcare, and communications. Some federal, state, and local government institutions also use VMWare hosting to host their websites, data, and applications.

Key hosting solutions

• Users can build new cloud-native applications, operate infrastructure across any cloud, and modernize existing applications.
• The virtual workspace enables employees to work anywhere and anytime.
• VMware supports hosted private cloud, virtual private cloud, and managed private cloud.
• The server virtualization feature allows multiple virtual machines to run on the same physical server, each running on an independent operating system.
• Although the machines on the server run on different operating systems, they can share the same resources, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and networking.

VMWare is a great private hosting solution for enterprises and organizations seeking top-level security. For context, the zero-trust security model authenticates all users before granting access to applications and data, which is a must-have for large enterprises that handle sensitive data.

Microsoft offers private cloud hosting solutions through its platform Microsoft Azure. Available in more than 140 countries and 54 regions, Azure also works as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).

Key hosting solutions

• Azure analyzes user data and provides key insights through Cortana Analytics and Stream Analytics.
• The availability of numerous datacenters ensures faster content delivery, which is ideal for organizations that exchange data across multiple machines.
• Azure uses popular technologies, making it easier for Information Technology (IT) experts and web developers to manage.
• Easy to set up and control thanks to Microsoft Learn, a platform that offers free courses on getting started with Azure.

Azure also offers more than 100 services, which has its pros and cons. For example, some users find it overwhelming, while others appreciate the expanded functionalities and features. Regardless of where you stand, there is no doubt that Azure is one of the most powerful private cloud providers.

Red Hat is a great private cloud solution for any enterprise with security and scalability in mind. This platform offers three main products for its users: Red Hat OpenStack Platform for organizing virtualizing hardware, Red Hat OpenShift for full-stack automated operations, and Red Hat Consulting for the support you need to grow your enterprise.

Key hosting solutions

• Improved security using Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), first developed by the United States National Security Agency (NSA).
• Scale-out storage allows you to create hundreds of virtual machines on fully supported cloud platforms.
• Centralized management helps control resources, track costs, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Eliminates the need to install, configure, and maintain infrastructure for enterprises that depend on custom software applications.

Red Hat’s private cloud hosting solutions also suit enterprises with underskilled or understaffed IT teams. Thanks to managed private clouds, this hosting provider lets you create and use a cloud configured, deployed, and managed by a third-party vendor.

Dell is more than a popular computer manufacturer. The Texas-based company also offers private cloud hosting services for enterprises looking for security, elasticity, and scalability on the cloud. The company uses Dell PowerEdge blade servers for cloud computing services and EqualLogic SAN for storage to offer scalable hosting platforms.

Key hosting solutions

• Each private cloud environment focuses on the unique needs of your enterprise and offers solutions that eliminate the need for additional software.
• Dell’s private clouds meet specific regulatory and compliance requirements and are ISO 27001 and PCI-DSS certified.
• The full-private cloud technology means each private cloud sits in Dell’s own datacenter, giving the company complete control over your security.
• Dell’s private cloud hosting allows you to back up your data in a secondary datacenter and restore it whenever needed for enhanced safety and seamless data recovery.

Dell also helps single tenants manage their infrastructure in their private cloud by offering proactive hardware monitoring, monthly business reviews, troubleshooting, and system maintenance twice a year. The best part is you can start small and scale up as you grow.

Oracle offers cost-effective solutions for enterprises in need of cloud hosting. It makes it easy for users to deploy and manage different workloads on multiple operating systems and use various management tools and features available on the platform to reach their goals.

Key hosting solutions

• The Oracle Cloud Native Environment allows enterprises to automate application deployment, scaling, and management seamlessly.
• High-performance speeds that use the latest Intel Xeon processors with 64 CPU cores and one terabyte of memory.
• Every private cloud contains a built-in high-performance Oracle storage appliance for faster speeds.
• Built-in disaster recovery technology powered by Oracle Site Guard allows the quick restoration of customer operations during emergencies.

No doubt that Oracle is a powerful private cloud hosting provider. Besides performance, this company offers pocket-friendly solutions for enterprises, almost eliminating the need for IT professionals.

IBM needs no introduction in the world of technology, so it’s no surprise that they are among the best private cloud service providers. The company’s application platform, IBM Cloud Private, offers private cloud hosting solutions that include Container-as-a-Service(CaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

Key hosting solutions

• Each container creates logs, making debugging easier.
• Health monitoring for each container and regular performance insights.
• Top-level security for data in transit and at rest on all platforms, including audit logs for actions performed.
• The IBM vulnerability advisor helps identify security risks, policy violations, and best practice improvements and then takes corrective actions to maintain the integrity of each container.
• Easy-to-use management console allows users to manage, monitor, and troubleshoot from a single location.

Many users appreciate that IBM offers a container-centered approach to private cloud hosting. As a result, it is much easier to identify and troubleshoot threats almost immediately.

Public cloud hosting is a cost-effective solution for businesses that don’t require the advanced security and customization options of a private cloud. In most cases, public cloud hosting providers offer a pay-as-you-go pricing model, meaning you only pay for the resources you use.

In addition, with public cloud hosting, there’s no need to purchase or maintain any physical hardware because the provider’s infrastructure hosts everything. This eliminates the need for expensive upfront hardware investments.

It’s worth noting many public cloud service providers also offer custom private cloud environments. You may have to contact the provider directly for a custom quote.

Private and public cloud hosting mostly differ in ownership and location of infrastructure, customizability, control, security, scalability, and cost. Private cloud hosting provides greater control and customizability, while public cloud hosting works best for scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Private cloud hosting offers a dedicated infrastructure used solely by a single organization. As a result, it best suits organizations with strict security requirements, resource-intensive workloads, or critical applications requiring high uptime.

Public cloud hosting is a cloud computing model in which a third-party provider offers infrastructure and services over the internet to multiple customers. Unlike private hosting, public hosting is cost-effective and easy to maintain.

This hosting option is also great for organizations with fluctuating demands or limited IT resources. It provides access to a wide range of resources and services without requiring significant upfront investments in infrastructure.

Hybrid cloud hosting combines private and public cloud hosting to provide the best of both worlds. This cloud hosting option suits organizations with varying workload demands, including those that require greater control over their data or have specific security or compliance requirements.

The best cloud service provider will depend on the unique needs of your enterprise. For instance, Microsoft’s Azure is one of the best options if you want to explore a variety of functionalities.

On the other hand, Oracle offers cost-effective hosting solutions without compromising security, reliability, and performance. Finally, VMWare, IBM, Red Hat, and Dell simplify container management.

But if affordability is on your mind, choosing a plan from a public cloud service provider may be your best choice. We’ve narrowed your choices down from 300,000 to 11. Now it’s up to you to decide where to host your website.