This page provides details about Gartner (person,organization) which was ranked #8 out of 129 in the list of brands (37 mentions (40% share)) in answers from AI models (Anthropic Claude Sonnet (latest), OpenAI ChatGPT Latest, Google Gemini Flash (latest), X.AI Grok (latest)) when they were asked the following 3 questions: "What are the best Cloud Storage options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.", "If I'm looking to get into Cloud Storage, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.", "What does the Cloud Storage industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry." on Dec 30, 2025 by AI Chat Watch.
What are the best Cloud Storage options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] rence
3. **[Google Cloud Next](https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next)** - Google Cloud's flagship event
4. **[Cloud Expo Europe](https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com/)** - Major European cloud event (London)
5. **[Cloud & DevOps World](https://www.clouddevopsworld.com/)** - London-based conference
6. **[Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/infrastructure-operations-cloud-us)**
7. **[Cloud Security Alliance Summit](https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/events/)** - Focus on cloud security
8. **[Storage Field Day](https://techfieldday. [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Cloud Storage, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] eloper](https://www.snia.org/events/storage-developer)
- Hosted by SNIA (Storage Networking Industry Association): [https://www.snia.org/](https://www.snia.org/)
5. **Cloud Expo Europe** - [https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com/](https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com/)
- Major European cloud event
6. **Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference** - [https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences)
## Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
### Decentralized & Web3 Storage
1. **Filecoin** - [https://filecoin.io/](https://filecoin.io/)
- Decentral [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] etworking Industry Association): [https://www.snia.org/](https://www.snia.org/)
5. **Cloud Expo Europe** - [https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com/](https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com/)
- Major European cloud event
6. **Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference** - [https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences)
## Notable Startups Disrupting the Space
### Decentralized & Web3 Storage
1. **Filecoin** - [https://filecoin.io/](https://filecoin.io/)
- Decentralized storage network
- Built by Protocol Labs
2. **Storj** - [https://www.storj.i [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] **Network World** - [https://www.networkworld.com/](https://www.networkworld.com/)
- Enterprise IT infrastructure
5. **DCD (DatacenterDynamics)** - [https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/](https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/)
- Data center and cloud infrastructure
### Research & Reports
1. **Gartner** - [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology)
- Magic Quadrants for cloud storage
2. **IDC (International Data Corporation)** - [https://www.idc.com/](https://www.idc.com/)
- Market research and forecasts
3. **Forrester Research** [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ps://www.networkworld.com/](https://www.networkworld.com/)
- Enterprise IT infrastructure
5. **DCD (DatacenterDynamics)** - [https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/](https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/)
- Data center and cloud infrastructure
### Research & Reports
1. **Gartner** - [https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology)
- Magic Quadrants for cloud storage
2. **IDC (International Data Corporation)** - [https://www.idc.com/](https://www.idc.com/)
- Market research and forecasts
3. **Forrester Research** - [https://www.forrester [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Cloud Storage industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] tps://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhouston/)
- **Aaron Levie** - CEO & Co-founder of Box - [Twitter/X](https://twitter.com/levie)
- **David Friend** - Co-founder & CEO of Wasabi - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/frienddavid/)
### Industry Analysts & Researchers
- **Lydia Leong** - VP Analyst at Gartner (Cloud infrastructure) - [Gartner Profile](https://www.gartner.com/en/experts/lydia-leong)
- **Jerome Wendt** - President & Lead Analyst at DCIG - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromewendt/)
- **Krista Macomber** - Research Director at IDC - [IDC](https://www.idc.com/)
## Emerging Trends [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ton/)
- **Aaron Levie** - CEO & Co-founder of Box - [Twitter/X](https://twitter.com/levie)
- **David Friend** - Co-founder & CEO of Wasabi - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/frienddavid/)
### Industry Analysts & Researchers
- **Lydia Leong** - VP Analyst at Gartner (Cloud infrastructure) - [Gartner Profile](https://www.gartner.com/en/experts/lydia-leong)
- **Jerome Wendt** - President & Lead Analyst at DCIG - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromewendt/)
- **Krista Macomber** - Research Director at IDC - [IDC](https://www.idc.com/)
## Emerging Trends
### 1. **Edge Storage & Computing [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ps://www.cloudexpoeurope.com](https://www.cloudexpoeurope.com) - Major European cloud event
7. **KubeCon + CloudNativeCon** - [https://www.cncf.io/kubecon-cloudnativecon-events/](https://www.cncf.io/kubecon-cloudnativecon-events/) - Cloud-native computing
### Related IT Infrastructure Events
- **Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference** - [https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences)
- **VMware Explore** - [https://www.vmware.com/explore.html](https://www.vmware.com/explore.html)
- **Dell Technologies World** - [https://www.delltechnol [...]
What are the best Cloud Storage options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] dNativeCon](https://www.cncf.io/kubecon-cloudnativecon/) (cloud-native storage + data services appear frequently)
- [SNIA Storage Developer Conference (SDC)](https://www.snia.org/sdc)
- [VMware Explore](https://www.vmware.com/explore.html) (enterprise infrastructure topics often include storage)
- [Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/symposium-us) (strategy/market landscape, including storage)
---
## 7) Active communities & forums
- [r/cloudstorage](https://www.reddit.com/r/cloudstorage/) (consumer & vendor discussion)
- [r/DataHoarder](https://www.reddit.com/r/DataH [...]
[...] s://www.storagereview.com/)
- [InfoWorld](https://www.infoworld.com/)
### Analyst firms (market landscape, vendor positioning)
- [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/)
- [IDC](https://www.idc.com/)
### Review/comparison platforms (useful for shortlists + user feedback)
- [G2](https://www.g2.com/)
- [Gartner Peer Insights](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/home)
- [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/)
- [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/)
---
## Practical “best choice” shortcuts (by common use case)
- **Best for most consumers:** [Google Drive](https://www.google.com/drive/), [Microsoft OneDriv [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Cloud Storage, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] ogle.com/sdk/docs/install)
- [AzCopy](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/storage/common/storage-use-azcopy-v10) (Microsoft Learn)
## 8) Analysts, comparisons, and review sources (to sanity-check decisions)
- **Gartner** (research + market framing): [Gartner](https://www.gartner.com/) and [Gartner Peer Insights](https://www.gartner.com/reviews/home)
- **Forrester**: [Forrester](https://www.forrester.com/)
- **IDC**: [IDC](https://www.idc.com/)
- **CloudHarmony** (cloud service benchmarks/insight): [CloudHarmony](https://cloudharmony.com/)
- **G2** (software reviews; use carefully but [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Cloud Storage industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
What are the best Cloud Storage options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] aders
These individuals and organizations provide deep technical analysis and industry forecasts.
* **Enrico Signoretti**: VP of Product and Partnerships at OpenIO and a recognized voice in software-defined storage. [Enrico’s Profile on GigaOm](https://gigaom.com/author/enrico-signoretti/)
* **Gartner**: Their "Magic Quadrant" reports are the gold standard for enterprise storage evaluation. [Gartner Storage Research](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights/storage)
* **Forrester**: Provides market wave reports on cloud data resiliency and storage. [Forrester Research](https: [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] **Enrico Signoretti**: VP of Product and Partnerships at OpenIO and a recognized voice in software-defined storage. [Enrico’s Profile on GigaOm](https://gigaom.com/author/enrico-signoretti/)
* **Gartner**: Their "Magic Quadrant" reports are the gold standard for enterprise storage evaluation. [Gartner Storage Research](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights/storage)
* **Forrester**: Provides market wave reports on cloud data resiliency and storage. [Forrester Research](https://www.forrester.com/)
### 4. Promising Startups and New Market Entrants
New players are focusing on [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Cloud Storage industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] source (IoT devices).
### **5. Major Conferences and Events**
* **AWS re:Invent:** The largest cloud computing event globally. [AWS re:Invent](https://reinvent.awsevents.com/)
* **Flash Memory Summit (FMS):** Focuses on high-speed storage technology. [FMS Website](https://fmsummit.com/)
* **Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference:** Premier event for enterprise decision-makers. [Gartner Conference](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/infrastructure-operations-cloud-us)
* **KubeCon + CloudNativeCon:** Vital for those using containerized storage (Kubernetes). [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] nt globally. [AWS re:Invent](https://reinvent.awsevents.com/)
* **Flash Memory Summit (FMS):** Focuses on high-speed storage technology. [FMS Website](https://fmsummit.com/)
* **Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Cloud Strategies Conference:** Premier event for enterprise decision-makers. [Gartner Conference](https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/infrastructure-operations-cloud-us)
* **KubeCon + CloudNativeCon:** Vital for those using containerized storage (Kubernetes). [KubeCon](https://events.linuxfoundation.org/kubecon-cloudnativecon-north-america/)
### **6. Professional Communitie [...]
December 30, 2025
What are the best Cloud Storage options available today? Please provide a comprehensive overview including: the leading brands and products, top companies and service providers, recognized experts and thought leaders, promising startups and new market entrants, major industry events and conferences, active communities and forums, and influential publications and media covering this space.
[...] ): [IDrive](https://www.idrive.com/). Cloudwards #1 overall.
Others: Wasabi [Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage](https://wasabi.com/) (affordable S3 alternative), Backblaze B2 [Backblaze B2](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage) (low-cost long-term storage).
## Recognized Experts and Thought Leaders
- **Gartner Analysts**: Firm's Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage [Gartner Primary Storage Magic Quadrant 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4022345) and Object Storage [Gartner Object Storage 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4025164) highlight leaders like Dell, NetApp, AWS. Key analyst: Val [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] thers: Wasabi [Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage](https://wasabi.com/) (affordable S3 alternative), Backblaze B2 [Backblaze B2](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage) (low-cost long-term storage).
## Recognized Experts and Thought Leaders
- **Gartner Analysts**: Firm's Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage [Gartner Primary Storage Magic Quadrant 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4022345) and Object Storage [Gartner Object Storage 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4025164) highlight leaders like Dell, NetApp, AWS. Key analyst: Valdis Filks.
- **Forrester**: Wave for Enterprise Object Storage [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] aze B2](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage) (low-cost long-term storage).
## Recognized Experts and Thought Leaders
- **Gartner Analysts**: Firm's Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage [Gartner Primary Storage Magic Quadrant 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4022345) and Object Storage [Gartner Object Storage 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4025164) highlight leaders like Dell, NetApp, AWS. Key analyst: Valdis Filks.
- **Forrester**: Wave for Enterprise Object Storage [Forrester Enterprise Object Storage Wave 2023](https://www.forrester.com/report/The-Forrester-Wave-Enterprise- [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] t**: Enterprise news [ZDNet Cloud Storage](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/cloud-storage/).
- **Blocks and Files**: Storage industry news [Blocks and Files](https://blocksandfiles.com/).
- **StorageNewsletter**: Daily updates [StorageNewsletter](https://www.storagenewsletter.com/).
- **Analyst Firms**: Gartner [Gartner Cloud Storage Insights](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights/cloud-strategies), IDC [IDC Cloud Storage](https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US51436823).
For personalized recommendations, evaluate based on your needs (e.g., use Privacy Guides [Privacy Guides Cl [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] rprise news [ZDNet Cloud Storage](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/cloud-storage/).
- **Blocks and Files**: Storage industry news [Blocks and Files](https://blocksandfiles.com/).
- **StorageNewsletter**: Daily updates [StorageNewsletter](https://www.storagenewsletter.com/).
- **Analyst Firms**: Gartner [Gartner Cloud Storage Insights](https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/insights/cloud-strategies), IDC [IDC Cloud Storage](https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US51436823).
For personalized recommendations, evaluate based on your needs (e.g., use Privacy Guides [Privacy Guides Cloud Stora [...]
December 30, 2025
If I'm looking to get into Cloud Storage, who and what should I know about? Include the most trusted brands, recommended products and services, reputable companies and providers, influential experts and reviewers to follow, helpful communities and resources, important events and conferences, notable startups disrupting the space, and key publications and media channels to stay informed.
[...] ps://www.oracle.com/cloud/storage/object-storage/)
Other reputable providers for cost-effective or niche use:
- **Backblaze B2**: Affordable, S3-compatible for backups. [Backblaze B2](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage)
- **Wasabi**: No-egress-fee hot storage. [Wasabi](https://wasabi.com/)
**Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed File and Object Storage** (leaders include AWS, Dell, NetApp, Pure Storage): [Gartner Magic Quadrant](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4022562) (requires login for full report).
### Recommended Products and Services
For beginners:
- **Consumer/Team**: Dropbox for [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] ckblaze B2**: Affordable, S3-compatible for backups. [Backblaze B2](https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-storage)
- **Wasabi**: No-egress-fee hot storage. [Wasabi](https://wasabi.com/)
**Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed File and Object Storage** (leaders include AWS, Dell, NetApp, Pure Storage): [Gartner Magic Quadrant](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4022562) (requires login for full report).
### Recommended Products and Services
For beginners:
- **Consumer/Team**: Dropbox for simplicity [Dropbox](https://www.dropbox.com/), Google Drive for collaboration [Google Drive](https://www.google.com [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] **IDC Worldwide Cloud Storage Market Forecast** (2023-2027 growth stats): [IDC Report](https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=US51224224) (summary available).
Start by experimenting with free tiers of AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Backblaze B2 to build hands-on knowledge. Track market via Gartner/IDG reports for trends like AI-driven storage. [...]
December 30, 2025
What does the Cloud Storage industry look like right now? Identify the dominant market leaders and brands, best products and services, key companies and providers, influential figures and thought leaders, emerging startups and trends, major conferences and events, active professional communities, and the top publications and media that cover this industry.
[...] [Synergy Research Group](https://www.srgresearch.com/).
- **Google Cloud Platform (GCP)**: ~12% share, Google Cloud Storage excels in analytics integration [Google Cloud Storage](https://cloud.google.com/storage) [Synergy Research Group](https://www.srgresearch.com/).
Market leadership confirmed by Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed File Systems and Object Storage (2023), positioning AWS, Azure, and Google as Leaders [Gartner Magic Quadrant 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4024360).
### Best Products and Services
Top-rated based on reviews, performance, and features:
- **AWS S3**: Best [...]
December 30, 2025
[...] cels in analytics integration [Google Cloud Storage](https://cloud.google.com/storage) [Synergy Research Group](https://www.srgresearch.com/).
Market leadership confirmed by Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed File Systems and Object Storage (2023), positioning AWS, Azure, and Google as Leaders [Gartner Magic Quadrant 2023](https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4024360).
### Best Products and Services
Top-rated based on reviews, performance, and features:
- **AWS S3**: Best overall for durability (11 9s), scalability, and ecosystem [AWS S3](https://aws.amazon.com/s3/) [G2 Cloud Storage Reviews](ht [...]