Disadvantages: IBM's pricing and services are complex, which can be a barrier for smaller companies, and its strong integration with IBM's ecosystem might create dependencies.
How It's Different: IBM Cloud stands out for its hybrid cloud capabilities, enabling seamless integration between on-premises and cloud resources. This makes it particularly valuable for enterprises with complex IT infrastructures that must bridge legacy systems with cloud-based solution.
Unique Feature: IBM Cloud's deep integration with Watson AI provides robust capabilities for data-driven applications, making it a strong competitor alongside AWS, GCP, and Azure.
Getting Started: IBM requires standard KYC and credit card information. A free tier is available for 40+ services, but the offerings are more limited than those of major providers.