Apache CloudStack

Apache CloudStack is free, open-source software for deploying and managing virtual-machine networks as an IaaS cloud platform. Organizations can use it to build public, private, or hybrid clouds. Its capabilities include compute orchestration, network services, account management, resource accounting, a web interface, and an open API. Operators can manage environments through the web UI, command-line tools, or REST API, with optional AWS EC2- and S3-compatible APIs. Supported hypervisors include XenServer or XCP, KVM, Hyper-V, and VMware ESXi with vSphere. Storage options include iSCSI, NFS, Ceph RBD with KVM, volume encryption, snapshots, and storage tiering. Authentication choices include OAuth2 single sign-on, two-factor authentication, TOTP, SAML, and LDAP. The project says CloudStack can manage tens of thousands of physical servers across geographically distributed data centers. Long Term Support releases receive bug and security fixes for 18 months after the main release. Operators are responsible for safeguards including host and management-server security, monitoring, and defenses against DoS and brute-force attacks. The software is licensed under Apache License, Version 2.0.

Apache CloudStack offers broad cloud management capabilities without a software charge. It is suited to organizations that can handle deployment and the security responsibilities that come with operating it.

CloudStack is for cloud solution providers, managed service providers, telcos, and enterprises building public, private, or hybrid cloud environments. It suits organizations prepared to operate and secure a self-hosted cloud platform.

Apache CloudStack is self-hosted software for building and operating public, private, and hybrid IaaS clouds. It is best suited to providers and enterprises with teams capable of managing infrastructure at scale. Its broad hypervisor support and open interfaces are strong advantages; the tradeoff is that operators own the security and upkeep of the environment.

Overview

CloudStack coordinates virtual machines, networking, accounts, and resource use across cloud environments. It can manage tens of thousands of physical servers across geographically distributed data centers, a scale that makes it relevant to service providers and large organizations rather than teams looking for a hosted cloud service.

Management is available through a web interface, command-line tools, and a RESTful API, with optional AWS EC2- and S3-compatible APIs. The Apache License, Version 2.0 removes a software license fee, but organizations still need to provide and operate the underlying infrastructure.

Key features

Infrastructure and access

CloudStack supports BareMetal, Hyper-V, KVM, LXC, vSphere through vCenter, XenServer, and Xen Project. That range gives operators flexibility across different infrastructure environments, while also leaving them responsible for the knowledge and administration those environments require. Compute orchestration, network services, account management, and resource accounting bring core IaaS controls into one platform. High availability, live migration, and disaster recovery are supported.

Storage and security

Storage options include iSCSI and NFS, as well as Ceph RBD with KVM. Volume encryption, snapshots, and storage tiering help address protection, recovery, and placement needs. Authentication options include OAuth2 single sign-on, two-factor authentication, TOTP, SAML, and LDAP, giving organizations several ways to fit access control to existing practices.

These controls do not transfer security responsibility to the software. Operators must defend against denial-of-service and brute-force attacks, monitor their environments, and secure hosts, management servers, system VMs, and routers. Long Term Support releases receive bug and security fixes for 18 months after the main release, so release planning matters to teams that need continued fixes.

Integrations and support

Integrations include Terraform, Ansible, Kubernetes, Prometheus, VMware NSX, Ceph, MinIO, and billing portals. Users can seek community help through the project mailing list; some companies also offer commercial support. Potential vulnerabilities in a released version should be reported to the Apache Software Foundation security team by email.

Pricing

Apache CloudStack costs nothing. The free, open-source IaaS software has no published commercial plan pricing, so it suits organizations that want to avoid a software license charge and can budget separately for infrastructure, staffing, and security operations. There are no paid tiers to compare, but free software does not make operating a cloud cost-free.

Platforms

CloudStack is available for self-hosted Linux environments, with web and API access. This suits organizations that want to run the management platform on infrastructure they control, but not those seeking a hosted deployment that shifts operational work to a vendor.

Who it's for

The project identifies cloud solution providers, managed service providers, telcos, and enterprises as audiences. It is a stronger fit for organizations building or managing their own IaaS clouds than for small teams seeking turnkey capacity: the platform offers broad controls and scale, but operators must handle deployment, ongoing administration, and security protections themselves.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Supports a broad range of hypervisors, giving organizations flexibility across infrastructure types.
• Pros: Offers web, command-line, and API management, plus optional AWS-compatible APIs, to support different operational workflows.
• Pros: Can manage tens of thousands of physical servers across distributed data centers, suiting large cloud environments.
• Cons: Operators must secure and monitor hosts, management components, system VMs, and routers, making this a poor fit for teams without infrastructure security capacity.
• Cons: LTS fixes last 18 months after the main release, requiring teams to plan around release support periods.

Alternatives

For a paid modular platform with a demo, consider Jio CloudXP. Cloudify is worth considering for a no-time-limit free community plan, though it requires Docker or a VM setup and access to a cloud provider to run workloads. Choose Google Config Sync if Config Sync included with GKE fits your needs and your clusters meet its version and fleet-registration requirements.

Kubermatic Kubernetes Platform is an alternative with a free Community Edition and a consumption-based Enterprise Edition. KubeSphere is another free, open-source Kubernetes container platform. Qstack offers a free lifetime basic edition for small IDC teams and a CN¥9,999 a year professional edition for growing IDC businesses. CloudBolt may suit teams seeking a free core CMP plan capped at 100 resources. OpenNebula is another option with a community edition built around its core platform and public open-source releases.

Browse Multi-Cloud Management Software, Virtualization Management Software, Cloud Management Software, Cloud Automation Software, and Cloud Orchestration Software for more options.

Verdict

Choose Apache CloudStack if you are a provider or enterprise building a self-hosted IaaS cloud and can take responsibility for its operation and security. Its breadth of hypervisors, management interfaces, and large-scale capacity make it a capable no-license-cost platform. Look elsewhere if you need hosted operations or want a vendor to take on more of the infrastructure security burden.