Differences between Private Cloud and Public Cloud

Introduction

Cloud storage is a computing service paradigm that allows a user to access data stored in a remote location at any point in time on any device through the internet. As we see more and more companies shifting towards the cloud, they also have their own set of requirements and needs they use the cloud for. Depending on these needs, the cloud is divided typically into Private Cloud and Public Cloud.

To understand the differences between private and public clouds, we first need to understand what they are and what they offer.

What is Public Cloud?

Essentially, public cloud means the data is hosted on a public data center, typically provided by the cloud service companies. This means all the users share a single database but function independently, much as different people may withdraw money from the same bank but only from their account.

Public Clouds can be better understood as your data living in a hostel, where you periodically pay for it, and all the other services are provided to you by your Cloud Provider.

Examples − AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, IBM, etc

Advantages of Public Cloud

Drastically decreases the upfront cost
Easier to set up
Easier to scale

What is Private Cloud?

Private Cloud storage means the data is hosted in a data center on your own infrastructure or on someone else’s infrastructure but reserved specifically for you. A single enterprise maintains a private Cloud, and data is shared over a private network.

Private Cloud can be better understood as your data living in a rented/bought house. You pay your Cloud Provider only for the house, and any additional cost that you have is yours to bear.

Examples − Red Hat, Oracle, VM Ware, Microsoft, etc

Advantages of Private Cloud

Increased Reliability
Security is usually very high
Having Dedicated servers ensures high performance.

Differences between Private Cloud and Public Cloud

The following table highlights the major differences between the private cloud and public cloud −

Basis of Difference	Private Cloud	Public Cloud
Cost	Private Clouds tend to cost more than Public Clouds for reserving/constructing the data center.	Public Clouds tend to cost less than Private Clouds, as you use pre-made data centers.
Security	Connection is possible only via a private network, which makes them extremely secure	Connection is open on the internet, making them more vulnerable and less secure.
Performance	Very high performance because of private networks	Performance is moderate
Reliability	Reliability is very high	Low to Moderate Reliability
Architecture	Hosted by the company on their infrastructure	Hosted by the Provider
Scalability	Limited Scalability, you may need to upgrade/expand the hardware.	Practically Unlimited Scalability since the cloud provider has near infinite resources.
Servers	Dedicated Servers	Shared Servers
Control	Your enterprise owns the infrastructure, hence very high control.	Very little control, as the computers are shared between enterprises.

Conclusion

To summarize, Private Clouds are where your data is stored in a data center sectioned specifically for you, which may or may not be on your infrastructure, and Public Clouds are where your data is stored over public data centers which are on the infrastructure of your Cloud Service Provider. Hybrid Cloud is the technology that combines both to achieve the best of both worlds.