Cloud stocks | Top cloud companies to invest in

Here's a list of the top cloud computing companies and how to invest in them.

Twenty years ago, the cloud was just a fluffy thing in the sky. The only thing stored there was rainwater and maybe the odd daydream.

Nowadays, the cloud is a huge digital infrastructure that companies build applications on. That’s right!

The cloud lets you safely store 183,402 photos of your pet dog, it lets you catch up on The Great British Bake Off or read your emails from the other side of the world.

Cloud computing companies have really taken off. Companies like Microsoft are building applications that exist entirely in the cloud. Meanwhile, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the use and growth of some of these companies, with more people working from home than ever before.

The sky’s the limit with these cloud-based opportunities, and the rising valuation of cloud computing companies shows this.

List of best-performing cloud stocks

Below are 10 of the biggest cloud stocks of 2020 with their performance since 1 January 2020 up to the time of writing. We go into the first five in more depth below.

CompanyTickerPerformance year to date
Zoom Video Communications Inc.ZM635.64%
Fastly Inc.FSLY339.01%
DocuSignDOCU185.41%
AmazonAMZN62.34%
AppleAAPL45.92%
SalesforceCRM45.10%
Adobe Inc.ADBE42.62%
Zendesk Inc.ZEN29.53%
MicrosoftMSFT27.20%
Slack Technologies Inc.WORK17.30%

Finder survey: Would Brits consider investing in cloud computing stocks?

53% of people we surveyed said they already invest in cloud computing stocks or would consider investing in cloud computing stocks.

Response
I would consider it46.49%
Not sure26.94%
I wouldn't consider it20.48%
I already invest in this6.09%
Source: Finder survey by Censuswide of Brits, December 2023

The top five cloud computing stocks in more depth

Some of the companies here owe some of their success to the coronavirus pandemic, while some saw a hit during this time and have bounced back.

1. Zoom

If you hadn’t heard of Zoom before the pandemic, you certainly will have now, especially if you were the one tasked with setting your grandparents up on it over the phone. Nevertheless, let’s explain for those who’ve never taken part in several hundred Zoom quizzes.

Zoom is a video conferencing platform. In the increase of remote working and distance education during the coronavirus pandemic, there was a huge increase in the use of Zoom and similar products. It was also used for online socialising with loved ones while in lockdown.

As a result, its stock performed really well throughout the first six months of 2020.

2. Fastly

Fastly is one of those companies that work behind the scenes of ones that you know. It works on optimising websites and apps to help make them fast and secure. It works with well-known companies such as The New York Times, Pinterest, Boots, Deliveroo and Wayfair, among many (many!) more.

Fastly was in the news in mid-2020, with social media app TikTok one of its largest clients. Fastly faced some issues in the US when President Donald Trump signed an order to ban TikTok in the US. The stock dropped during this period, but Trump then approved a deal that allowed TikTok to remain in the US, seeing its stock recover.

3. DocuSign

You’ll have come across DocuSign if you’ve recently moved house or signed a new tenancy or work agreement. It’s software that lets you sign contracts or agreements from anywhere in the world on your mobile phone.

Again, COVID-19 accelerated the use of electronic signature platforms like DocuSign due to the forced removal of physical paperwork and drop off in face-to-face interactions. On top of all the automation and ease of use, it saves a lot of trees (2.5 million since 2003). This is one for you green heads out there!

4. Amazon

We’re sure you don’t need us to explain what Amazon is, but for those who haven’t been online before, welcome to the Internet. Strange that this is one of the first articles you’ve come across but, anyway.

Amazon is one of the most popular technology companies. It’s best known for its online store where you can buy pretty much anything.

Amazon also offers digital streaming services and cloud storage and owns companies like audiobook retailer, Audible and home automation company, Ring, among others.

With high-street retailers closing during the lockdown, people turned to Amazon for their shopping, which led to the stock price increasing during this time.

5. Apple

Here’s another company that probably doesn’t need explaining. Apple is a multinational technology company that sells electronics including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and more. As a result, its iShare price has been the fruit of its labour.

Apple saw a crash in its share price during the stock market crash at the end of March 2020, but it has since bounced back.

Investing in Cloud Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

There are ETFs that bundle together cloud computing companies into ONE type of investment, allowing you to get more diverse spread of companies, without the faff of investing in each one. Some of the stocks mentioned above will be included in the holdings of these ETFs.

  • First Trust Cloud Computing ETF (SKYY)
  • Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU)
  • WisdomTree Cloud Computing Fund (WCLD)
  • Wedbush ETFMG Global Cloud Technology ETF (IVES)

Compare investment platforms

To buy stocks in any of the companies listed above, you’ll need to sign up to an investing platform. Here they are!

The ETFs mentioned above will also be listed on some of these platforms.

Table: sorted by promoted deals first
Product UKFST Finder Score Min. initial deposit Price per trade Frequent trader rate Platform fees Offer Link
eToro Free Stocks
Finder AwardFree Trades
eToro logo
Finder score
$100
£0 on stocks
N/A
£0
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Capital at risk. Fees apply.

Platform details
XTB
Free Trades
XTB logo
Finder score
£0
£0
£0
£0
Earn up to 4.75% interest on uninvested cash.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
Finder score
£1
£11.95
£5.95
£0 (0.45% for funds)
Go to site

Capital at risk

Platform details
Finder score
£0
£3.99 (free regular investing)
£0
From £4.99 a month
Pay no account fee for 6 months when you open an ii Trading Account. Offer ends 31 December. Capital at risk. Terms & trading fees apply. New customers only.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
Finder score
£0
£3
N/A
0.12% per year
Limited time offer: Zero commission on 100 US stocks for new customers. T&Cs apply.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
Finder score
£0
£0
N/A
£0
Get your first 3 months free when you upgrade to Plus plan. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
Freetrade
Free TradesOffer
Freetrade logo
Finder score
£1
£0
N/A
£0
Get a free share worth up to £100 when you sign up and deposit at least £50. T&Cs apply. Capital at risk.
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Capital at risk

Platform details
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All investing should be regarded as longer term. The value of your investments can go up and down, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. If you’re not sure which investments are right for you, please seek out a financial adviser. Capital at risk.


Zoe Stabler DipFA's headshot
Senior writer

Zoe was a senior writer at Finder specialising in investment and banking, and during this time, she joined the Women in FinTech Powerlist 2022. She is currently a senior money writer at Be Clever With Your Cash. Zoe has a BA in English literature and a Diploma for Financial Advisers. She has several years of experience in writing about all things personal finance. Zoe has a particular love for spreadsheets, having also worked as a management accountant. In her spare time, you’ll find Zoe skating at her local ice rink. See full bio

Zoe's expertise
Zoe has written 163 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Share dealing
  • Reviews and comparisons of trading platforms
  • Robo-advisors
  • Pensions
  • Banking

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