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Multi-cloud vs. hybrid cloud: understand the differences and choose the best cloud model
If choosing a cloud architecture were like assembling a jigsaw puzzle , the right piece would depend on much more than just the shape: it would depend on the entire scenario. And it is precisely this scenario that is rapidly changing.
According to Gartner , by 2027, 90% of companies worldwide will have adopted a hybrid cloud strategy. This prediction reinforces a key shift: rigid architectures no longer keep pace with the speed of innovation, and organizations are seeking more flexible models capable of balancing security, scalability, and efficiency.
In this context, two paths have gained strength : multi-cloud , which relies on combining different public cloud providers, and hybrid cloud , which connects private and public clouds in an integrated infrastructure. Understanding the differences between these approaches is essential for making more strategic decisions and avoiding fitting the wrong piece into your business's digital transformation.
But how do you know which model is best suited to your business? In this article, we will explain clearly and objectively what differentiates these two approaches, how they work in practice, and what to consider when making this decision.
Happy reading!
Multi-cloud is the practice of using more than one public cloud provider simultaneously , independently and strategically. The term began to gain traction in the business vocabulary from the second half of the 2010s, driven by the growing demand for technological freedom and the perception of the risks of depending on a single cloud provider.
Unlike other models that prioritize integration between different types of environments, multi-cloud relies on the diversity of public providers to offer more flexibility, control, and resilience .
In practice, this approach allows each application or service to be allocated to the provider that offers the best cost-benefit ratio, the best performance, or the most suitable resources for that function. And this changes the game for companies that need to grow quickly, test new solutions, or simply maintain stable operations, even in the face of failures.
Concept, characteristics and operation
multi-cloud model , an organization operates simultaneously on two or more public clouds (such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle Cloud, among others). This combination is not accidental: it is strategic, guided by criteria such as performance, specialization, pricing, and compliance.
Unlike simple redundancy, multi-cloud is a combination of strengths . One service runs better on one provider; another has a better cost on a second; and a third may be ideal for storing data with local compliance. The goal is to leverage the best of each platform.
This strategy also minimizes risks : by distributing its digital assets, the company reduces exposure to failures, interruptions, or contractual limitations with a single provider.
Practical applications and advantages
More than a technical concept, multi-cloud takes shape when we look at its application in the daily operations of companies that need to scale, innovate, or simply ensure operational continuity with greater autonomy.
Imagine, for example, a digital retail company that processes orders through AWS; uses Google Cloud to personalize offers with AI; and stores analytical data in Microsoft Azure to generate performance reports. This architecture doesn't follow a single pattern : it's designed according to digital maturity, business objectives, and the differentiators of each provider.
This type of scenario well illustrates what it means to adopt a multi-cloud : flexibility to use the best of each cloud , based on real criteria such as performance, cost, compliance , or service specialization.
Among the differentiators that make this approach even more robust is the use of agnostic services , which are tools and platforms that operate independently of the cloud provider . Solutions such as Kubernetes-orchestrated containers, multi-platform managed databases, or pipelines allow companies to operate with greater freedom and consistency, even in diverse ecosystems. This “agnosticism” reduces the effort required for technological adaptation , avoids vendor lock-in, and ensures greater fluidity in infrastructure evolution over time.
Among the most common benefits are:
- Reducing dependence on a single supplier;
- On-demand scaling;
- Contract optimization; and
- Access to complementary technologies.
In this way, this agnostic approach favors companies in transformation , with distributed operations, or those seeking to accelerate innovation cycles without relinquishing control.
Now that we understand the workings and potential of the multi-cloud , it's time to learn about another relevant strategy, which stands out for integrating different environments into a single connected operation: the hybrid cloud .
While multi-cloud offers the freedom to choose between providers, hybrid cloud proposes something different: the intentional integration of distinct environments into a single operational architecture . Here, the value lies less in diversification and more in combination, especially when the business needs to reconcile innovation with control.
The idea is not new, but it has gained new relevance in recent years with the growing need to connect legacy systems to modern solutions, adopt artificial intelligence (AI) securely, or ensure compliance in highly regulated sectors.
Concept, characteristics and operation
Hybrid cloud is a model that connects a private cloud (which can be on-premise or hosted in a dedicated data center) to one or more public clouds . The goal is to create a unified ecosystem where local and remote resources work in a complementary way, integrating data, applications, and security.
This architecture allows more sensitive or critical workloads , while other less restrictive functions take advantage of the elasticity and scalability of the public cloud. Management is usually done through platforms that allow orchestrating, monitoring, and moving resources between environments in a coordinated manner.
Unlike multi-cloud , which separates environments, hybrid cloud works through integration and interoperability . This is especially important for companies with pre-existing infrastructure or specific data protection requirements.
Practical applications and advantages
Let's imagine a company in the financial sector that processes confidential customer data. It can keep its core systems (such as registrations, authentications, and credit control) in a private environment within its data center , ensuring maximum security and compliance . At the same time, it can also use a public cloud to run analytical applications, simulate scenarios with artificial intelligence, or test new products with agility.
The hybrid model is also common in industrial operations , where production systems operate locally but connect to the public cloud for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, or integration with suppliers and distributors.
Among the main benefits of hybrid cloud are the balance between control and innovation ; improved governance of sensitive data; reduced latency in critical applications; and the possibility of modernizing IT without discarding what has already been built.
For many companies, this approach represents a safe and gradual transition to the cloud, combining the best of both worlds.
multi-cloud and hybrid cloud models side-by-side , highlighting their technical differences and strategic implications for the business.
After understanding how multi-cloud and hybrid cloud individually, the question naturally arises: what are, in fact, the main differences between them? More than a duel between approaches, this comparison helps to understand how each model is structured and what type of demand each one best addresses.
Both are valid strategies; however, they stem from distinct logics and require different technical and operational capabilities . This distinction is essential for building a cloud architecture aligned with business objectives and the degree of complexity that each operation can or wants to manage.
Technical and architectural differences
While multi-cloud is based on the diversification of public cloud providers, hybrid cloud arises from the integration of environments of different natures—generally, a private ( on-premise ) cloud connected to one or more public clouds.
In multi-cloud , each environment can operate more independently , ensuring flexibility to scale and choose specific technologies. However, this autonomy also imposes management challenges. The good news is that modern services are reducing this complexity , such as unified management platforms and centralized authentication solutions (like SSO), which bring more control even in diverse ecosystems.
In hybrid cloud , interoperability is central: environments need to communicate with each other, which demands a more integrated architecture , with unified security policies and efficient data synchronization. This requires greater initial effort but provides more cohesive governance.
Pros and cons of each approach
multi-cloud model stands out for its freedom of choice , the ability to leverage the best of each provider, and high resilience in distributed operations. It is ideal for organizations that value technological autonomy, global scale, and access to specialized services. On the other hand, this model requires greater technical maturity and increased attention to governance —although modern tools are making this management increasingly feasible.
Hybrid cloud , on the other hand, offers more predictability, control, and adherence to regulations, making it ideal for organizations that already have their own infrastructure or operate in more sensitive sectors. Its biggest challenge lies in the technical complexity of integration and maintaining performance across connected environments.
General comparison between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud.
To make it easier to visualize everything discussed so far, we've compiled the main points of comparison multi-cloud and hybrid cloud models —from architecture to the most common benefits and challenges. Check it out:
| Criterion | Multi-cloud | Hybrid cloud |
| Architecture | Several public clouds | Private cloud integrated with the public cloud |
| Integration between environments | Independent among clouds | Highly integrated |
| Governance | Traditionally decentralized, but with the advancement of tools that allow for centralized management (such as SSO and unified platforms) | Centralized, with a focus on orchestration |
| Data control | Variable, depends on each provider | High, with critical data under private management |
| Flexibility | High freedom of choice | Balance between security and scalability |
| Resilience | High, with redundancy between clouds | Tall, with a well-planned structure |
| Pros | Freedom among providers – Access to specialized services – Reduction of vendor lock-in – Global scalability | Greater control and security – Integration with legacy systems – Compliance with regulations – Gradual modernization of IT |
| Cons | – Complex governance – Risks of inconsistency – Need for technical maturity | – Challenging technical integration – Reduced flexibility – Private infrastructure costs |
As we've seen, multi-cloud and hybrid cloud are more than just infrastructure models; they represent responses to different business strategies. Each approach delivers value in a distinct way: one prioritizes freedom and diversification, the other integration and control. The key is understanding which one best meets your operational, regulatory, and growth challenges.
In the next section, we'll explore how these decisions manifest in practice, with examples of application in different sectors. After all, choosing the ideal model also depends on the context in which your company operates!
multi-cloud and hybrid cloud models in depth. However, to transform knowledge into action , it is necessary to understand how these approaches apply to different business realities. After all, the ideal architecture does not depend solely on the technology itself: it arises from the alignment between strategy, sector, and the organization's digital maturity .
More than a technical choice, adopting a cloud model is a contextual decision . It's about knowing which infrastructure best meets your priorities: innovation, control, compliance , scale, and/or integration.
Below, we present examples inspired by real-world challenges that illustrate how different sectors can benefit from each approach.
Examples of application in different sectors
Each sector of the economy presents unique challenges , whether in security, connectivity, regulation, or scale. It is in these contexts that multi-cloud and hybrid cloud demonstrate their true value.
See how these models can adapt to different business realities, with examples inspired by real-world scenarios:
- Logistics and Transportation : Logistics companies need connectivity between branches, real-time fleet tracking, and robust supply chain management systems. A multi-cloud allows these applications to be distributed among different providers, prioritizing low latency in some regions and data intelligence in others, such as allocating the route planner to a provider closer to hubs and the analytics layer to another, more specialized cloud.
- Public Sector : Public bodies often operate with large volumes of sensitive data and strict compliance policies. At the same time, they face pressure for modernization and efficiency. Here, hybrid cloud enables the use of private environments for critical data (such as citizen registrations and tax data), and the use of public cloud for citizen services online scheduling or communication via apps ;
- Agribusiness : like metropolitan areas, the countryside is becoming increasingly connected, with sensors, weather stations, and intelligent machines collecting data in remote areas. A hybrid cloud allows for local data processing ( edge computing ), maintaining high availability even without stable internet connection , while integrating this information with the public cloud for broader analysis and crop forecasting.
- Energy and utilities : Energy companies deal with critical infrastructure and need to operate with complete resilience. A multi-cloud can be used to segment services : one cloud for real-time consumption control; another for predictive fault analysis; and a third for customer interface, ensuring operational autonomy even in the event of failures in one of the environments.
- Science and research : research centers and universities work with intensive data processing and international collaborations. Multi-cloud offers simultaneous access to specialized computing resources from different providers, reducing the time required for complex simulations and facilitating data integration with global partners.
- Financial Sector : Banks, fintechs, and insurance companies operate with high regulatory sensitivity and large transactional volumes. A hybrid cloud can be adopted to keep banking data and customer information in a private environment, ensuring compliance with regulations such as the LGPD (Brazilian General Data Protection Law), while the public cloud is used to test new services, run AI-based credit models, and scale digital customer service.
- Software Industry : Companies that develop SaaS platforms or data solutions often rely on multiple clouds to deliver services globally with low latency and high availability. The multi-cloud allows for scaling applications across different regions, adapting to local regulations, and optimizing costs, all while maintaining technological independence to evolve with agility.
These examples reinforce the idea that there is no single ideal cloud model in absolute terms. What exists is the right combination for the right moment in your business. Choosing between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud (or even integrating them) is a strategic decision that must consider both current operations and future ambitions.
And it is precisely at this point that Skyone comes in , supporting the construction of cloud architectures aligned with the business, sustainable in the long term, and prepared for what lies ahead.
At Skyone , we closely follow the evolution of cloud architectures and the dilemmas companies face when seeking greater autonomy, performance, and security. This, of course, without compromising what has already been built . And we know that this journey doesn't begin with a technology, but with a good question: "What's the next step for your business?"
That's why our approach goes beyond technical implementation . We support companies in designing cloud models that make sense today and continue to deliver value tomorrow. This includes everything from hybrid scenarios for integrating legacy systems to multi-cloud for scalability and vendor independence.
More than just fitting ready-made solutions, we believe in architectures born from a deep understanding of each reality . Because when the cloud adapts to the business, and not the other way around, it ceases to be just infrastructure and becomes a growth platform.
If you are evaluating ways to modernize your operation, integrate systems, or gain more freedom to innovate, it's worth talking to those who have already helped hundreds of companies transform complexity into clarity.
Speak to one of our Skyone specialists today , and together we'll discover which cloud architecture makes the most sense for you!
Between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud , what's at stake isn't just the infrastructure . It's how your company organizes itself to grow, integrate technologies, and intelligently respond to market changes.
Throughout this article, we've seen that each cloud model delivers value in a different way . Multi-cloud prioritizes flexibility and autonomy between providers. Hybrid cloud focuses on integration between environments to ensure control and continuity. The right choice isn't about following trends, but about aligning architecture, context, and strategic objectives .
Having clarity about these differences is the first step towards more conscious and sustainable decisions. After all, knowing where you are and where you want to go is what transforms the cloud into a real driver of growth. In other words, in the end, the right cloud isn't the most powerful: it's the one that makes the most sense .
If this content helped you better understand the world of the cloud and its possible paths, explore the Skyone blog ! Every week, we publish reflections and insights for those seeking to transform technology into a real strategy.
If you're looking to better understand the differences between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud , you're not alone. These terms are increasingly common in discussions about digital strategy, but they aren't always clearly explained.
Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions to help you make more informed decisions about your cloud architecture.
What are multi-cloud and hybrid cloud ?
Multi-cloud is a strategy that uses two or more public cloud providers independently. The goal is to leverage the best of each platform, whether in performance, cost, or specific features, reducing dependence on a single vendor.
Hybrid cloud , on the other hand, combines different environments (typically a private cloud with one or more public clouds) into an integrated structure. This approach allows for greater control over sensitive data while benefiting from the scalability and innovation of the public cloud.
How do I know which cloud model to adopt?
The choice between multi-cloud and hybrid cloud depends on factors such as the industry, the company's level of digital maturity, and its priorities regarding security, compliance , scalability, and integration.
Companies that need freedom between suppliers and specialized services tend to opt for multi-cloud . Organizations with legacy systems, high regulation, or that require data control generally prefer the hybrid model ( hybrid cloud ).
Is it possible to combine the two models?
Yes. In many cases, companies adopt a combined approach, using multiple public providers ( multi-cloud ) within a framework that also integrates private clouds ( hybrid cloud ). This configuration, sometimes called a hybrid multi-cloud , allows for the best of both worlds: flexibility, autonomy, and security. However, it requires more robust governance and detailed technical planning.
Pedro Feliciano – Security Manager at Skyone.
Cloud specialist with over 9 years of experience in mission-critical environments, focusing on reliability, security, and cost optimization. Solid experience with AWS, GCP, OCI, Azure, Kubernetes, and Docker. Proven expertise in cloud migration, automation, disaster recovery, and continuous improvement of environments.
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