Depending on the computing resources and configurations, cloud hosting can resemble a shared hosting plan or practically even a dedicated server. As such, you can pay anywhere from $5 to more than $50 a month on a reputable cloud hosting environment. Let’s review: With hosts like HostGator or Hostwinds, you’re getting immediate provisioning and deployment of super scalable cloud resources, a bunch of processing power, and industry-leading expert support in the pricing ballpark of $5 a month. This is as cheap (and as good of a value) as cheap cloud hosting gets. You definitely get your money’s worth. Yes, free cloud hosting is a thing, but it mostly comes in the form of a free trial. You have to sign up with a credit card, you get a taste of the awesome resources for 60 days or so, and then you have to pay for anything you use thereafter. Word to the wise: Anything that seems to be too good to be true probably is. Don’t trust free hosting of any kind. “I can’t communicate to you how awesome this is unless you use it.” Our final words from Steve Jobs, and truer words could not have been said of cloud platforms. For those whose businesses need highly available, on-demand cloud computing power, those who can’t afford hardware failure, and those who like the idea of paying for a service by the hour, the cloud is awesome. What’s more, the top cloud hosts can have you launched and live in minutes — may the force of the cloud be with you.