Introduction
Quantum computing represents an exciting new frontier in computing, with the potential to solve problems that classical computers cannot. As quantum computers become more powerful and widespread, access to quantum resources over the cloud has emerged as a critical need. In recent years, tech giants and startups alike have raced to offer quantum computing via the cloud. I explore the state of quantum computing in the cloud – who the major players are and how they compare.
Major Cloud Providers Offering Quantum Access
IBM Q Experience
IBM was an early pioneer in making quantum computers accessible via the cloud. IBM Q Experience, launched in 2016, was the first platform to allow researchers and developers to run algorithms and experiments on IBM’s quantum processors via the cloud.
Some key features of IBM Q Experience:
- Provides access to real quantum processors with 5-65 qubits via the cloud
- Includes a quantum circuit composer and simulator
- Integrates with Qiskit – IBM’s open source quantum software development kit
- Available to all for free, with options to upgrade for more qubits and priority access
With IBM Q Experience, IBM asserted itself as an early leader in providing cloud access to real quantum hardware. However, there are limits on circuit size and depth, and competition has been heating up.
Amazon Braket
Amazon entered the quantum computing arena in 2019 with the launch of Amazon Braket. Braket provides a development environment and access to a variety of quantum hardware from providers like D-Wave, IonQ, and Rigetti.
Some key features of Amazon Braket:
- Access to quantum computers from multiple providers in one place
- Integrated Jupyter notebooks to develop algorithms
- Available on Amazon Web Services (AWS) with usage-based pricing
- Can select quantum simulator or actual quantum hardware
With Braket, Amazon aims to be a quantum computing cloud platform, aggregating hardware access and development tools. However, Braket doesn’t yet integrate Amazon’s widely used AWS cloud services.
Microsoft Azure Quantum
Microsoft has developed its own full-stack quantum platform on Azure, called Azure Quantum. It provides developer tools like the Q# programming language, quantum simulators, and access to quantum hardware.
Key features of Azure Quantum:
- Access to quantum hardware from IonQ and Honeywell
- Integrates with other Azure cloud services for storage, computing, etc.
- Includes open source IQ# quantum programming toolkit
- Focused on enhancing quantum development experience
Microsoft is positioning Azure as a quantum-enabled cloud platform, deeply integrating quantum with its other cloud services. It’s still in private preview, but shows Microsoft’s ambitions in the space.
Google Cloud Quantum Computing
Google has made major investments in quantum computing hardware and software. In 2020, it launched the Google Cloud Quantum Computing service to provide cloud access.
Google Cloud Quantum Computing includes:
- Access to Google’s Bristlecone quantum processor with 72 qubits
- Integration with other Google Cloud tools like storage and monitoring
- Open source libraries and simulators, like Cirq and TensorFlow Quantum
- Only available to select researchers and partners initially
Google is being more cautious than competitors around cloud quantum access to its leading Sycamore quantum computer. But it’s slowly opening up.
Comparing the Major Players
| Provider | Hardware Access | Languages/Libraries | Integration with Cloud Platform |
|-|-|-|-|
| IBM | Own processors + third party | Qiskit, Python | Medium |
| Amazon Braket | Aggregator model | Amazon Braket SDK | Medium |
| Microsoft Azure | IonQ, Honeywell | Q#, Python | Deep |
| Google Cloud | Own processors | Cirq, TensorFlow Quantum | Deep |
IBM established itself early but hasn’t maintained decisive leadership.
IBM Q Experience was groundbreaking when launched, but competitors have started catching up. IBM provides access to real quantum hardware with useful tools, but lags rivals in seamless integration with broader cloud services.
Amazon aims to be a quantum marketplace but is still ramping up.
Amazon Braket offers hardware access from multiple vendors, which is unique. But it doesn’t yet utilize AWS’s full capabilities or have the most robust internal tools. Braket is still finding its footing.
Microsoft is betting big on deeply integrated quantum-classical cloud.
By baking quantum capabilities directly into Azure, Microsoft is ambitious about quantum-classical hybrid computing in the cloud. If it can get the developer experience right, it could pull ahead.
Google has top hardware but isn’t putting it fully into the cloud – yet.
Google’s quantum hardware is state-of-the-art but access is very limited. As it opens up more access, Google could leverage its cloud services expertise and technical leadership. But currently it’s not as cloud-forward with quantum as rivals.
The Path Forward
Quantum computing in the cloud is still in its early days. As hardware improves, providers will compete to offer the most performant, programmable, and business-ready quantum cloud. Key areas to watch:
- Hybrid algorithms that synergistically combine quantum and classical computing
- ** Developer tools and abstractions** that hide complexity and make quantum more accessible
- Business applications beyond pure research, such as quantum machine learning
- Quantum advantage – demonstrating clear real-world superiority over classical computers
The quantum cloud wars have begun in earnest. IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google all aim to lead this emerging frontier. But it’s still Day 1 and no clear winner has yet emerged. The next few years will see fierce competition to unlock the full potential of quantum in the cloud. I’m excited to track these developments and see who comes out ahead in providing the quantum cloud of the future.
