In 2016,IBM launched the IBM Quantum Experience, one of the first publicly accessible quantum processors connected to the cloud.[1] In early 2017, researchers atRigetti Computing demonstrated programmable quantum cloud access through their software platform Forest, which included thepyQuil Python library.[2]
Since the early-2020s, cloud-based quantum computing has grown significantly, with multiple providers offering access to a variety of quantum hardware modalities, including superconducting qubits, trapped ions, neutral atoms, and photonic systems. Major platforms such as Amazon Braket,Azure Quantum, and qBraid aggregate quantum devices from hardware developers likeIonQ,Rigetti Computing,QuEra, Pasqal, Oxford Quantum Circuits, andIBM Quantum. These platforms provide unified interfaces for users to write and execute quantum algorithms across diverse backends, often supporting open-source SDKs such asQiskit,Cirq, andPennyLane. The proliferation of cloud-based access has played a key role in accelerating quantum education, algorithm research, and early-stage application development by lowering the barrier to experimentation with real quantum hardware.[3]
Cloud-based quantum computing has expanded access to quantum hardware and tools beyond traditional research laboratories. These platforms support educational initiatives, algorithm development, and early-stage commercial applications.[4]
Cloud-based quantum computing is used across education, research, and software development, offering remote access to quantum systems without the need for on-site infrastructure.
Quantum cloud platforms have become valuable tools ineducation, allowing students and instructors to engage with real quantum processors through user-friendly interfaces. Educators use these platforms to teach foundational concepts inquantum mechanics andquantum computing, as well as to demonstrate and implement quantum algorithms in a classroom or laboratory setting.[5][6]
Cloud-based access to quantum hardware has enabled researchers to conduct experiments inquantum information, test quantum algorithms, and compare quantum hardware platforms. Experiments such as testingBell's theorem or evaluating quantum teleportation protocols have been performed on publicly available quantum processors.[7][8][9]
Developers use cloud-based platforms to prototype quantum software applications across fields such as optimization, machine learning, and chemistry. These platforms offer SDKs and APIs that integrate classical and quantum workflows, enabling experimentation with quantum algorithms in real-world or simulated environments.
Quantum cloud tools have also been used to create educational games and interactive applications aimed at increasing public understanding of quantum concepts. These efforts help bridge the gap between theoretical content and intuitive learning.[10]
qBraid Lab by qBraid[11] is a cloud-based platform for quantum computing. It provides software tools for researchers and developers in quantum, as well as access to quantum hardware. qBraid provides cloud based access to Microsoft Azure Quantum and Amazon Braket devices including IQM, QuEra, Pasqal, Rigetti, IonQ, QIR simulators, Amazon Braket simulators, and the NEC Vector Annealer, as of August 2025. qBraid's base version is free, where unlimited hardware and simulator access is available with the purchase of credits.[12]
Quandela Cloud by Quandela is the platform to access first cloud-accessible European photonic quantum computer. The computer is interfaced using the Perceval scripting language, with tutorials and documentation available online for free.[13]
Xanadu Quantum Cloud by Xanadu is a platform with cloud-based access to three fully programmable photonic quantum computers.[14]
Forest byRigetti Computing is a tool suite for cloud-based quantum computing. It includes a programming language,[15] development tools and example algorithms.
LIQUi> byMicrosoft is a software architecture and tool suite for quantum computing. It includes a programming language, example optimization and scheduling algorithms, and quantum simulators.
Quantum Playground byGoogle is an educational resource which features a simulator with a simple interface, and a scripting language and3D quantum state visualization.[20]
Quantum in the Cloud is an experimental quantum cloud platform for access to a four-qubit nuclear magnetic resonance-NMRCloudQ computer, managed byTsinghua University.
Quantum Inspire by Qutech is the first platform in Europe providing cloud-based quantum computing to two hardware chips. Next to a 5-qubit transmon processor, Quantum Inspire is the first platform in the world[21] to provide online access to a fully programmable 2-qubit electron spin quantum processor.
Amazon Braket is a cloud-based quantum computing platform hosted byAWS which, as of June 2025, provides access to quantum computers built byIonQ,Rigetti, IQM, and QuEra. Braket also provides a quantum algorithm development environment and simulator.
Forge byQC Ware is a cloud-based quantum computing platform that provides access toD-Wave hardware, as well as Google and IBM simulators. The platform offers a 30-day free trial, including one minute of quantum computing time.[22]
Quantum-as-a-Service byScaleway is a cloud-based platform created in 2022[23] to access to real quantum hardware fromIQM Quantum Computers, Alpine Quantum Technologies,Quandela andPasqal. It also include access to GPU-powered emulators such as Aer, Qsim and Quandela proprietary emulation.
^Nguyen, H. T.; Krishnan, P.; Krishnaswamy, D.; Usman, M.; Buyya, R. (April 2024). "Quantum Cloud Computing: A Review, Open Problems, and Future Directions".arXiv:2404.11420 [cs.ET].
