Application Container Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Application Container Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Application Container Market size is estimated at USD 8.31 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 24.00 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 23.64% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Key Highlights

• The emergence of container platforms like Kubernetes and Docker has transformed the deployment, development, and management of software applications. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud-native architectures and modernize their IT infrastructures, the demand for application containers is poised to rise.
• Key factors propelling the growth of the application container market include the widespread adoption of advanced technologies, such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), increased investments in software services—particularly in developing countries—and the global rollout of container orchestration and security services by enterprises.
• Containers, integral to microservices architectures, have been the driving force behind cloud-native applications of all scales. However, their widespread adoption renders them vulnerable to threats like ransomware and hacking. Misconfigured network policies can permit unauthorized traffic from containers, breaching security perimeters and risking data integrity.
• Containers, designed for transient use, complicate security monitoring and incident response. Conventional security tools often struggle in environments where containers are swiftly spun up and down. This rapid lifecycle makes it challenging to detect and analyze security incidents, especially since evidence can dissipate once a container is shut down.
• In the wake of the pandemic, industries such as e-commerce, online services, and remote collaboration - heavily reliant on containerization—experienced notable growth. In contrast, sectors like tourism, hospitality, and retail grappled with shutdowns and dwindling consumer demand, which may have tempered their adoption of containers. Still, the surging demand for cloud computing and data transformation applications, mirroring the pandemic's trends, spurred an increase in container adoption.

Application Container Market Trends

Increased Adoption of Cloud-based Computing to Drive the Market Growth

• The growing prominence of cloud services and industrialized offerings, alongside a decline in traditional data center outsourcing (DCO), indicates a marked shift towards hybrid infrastructure services. While DCO experiences a downturn, spending on colocation and hosting, particularly in conjunction with utility infrastructure services, is witnessing a significant rise. This momentum is anticipated to further accelerate the transition towards cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and hosting.
• According to the 2023 Flexera Software report, 47% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) actively utilized AWS CloudFormation templates. AWS CloudFormation simplifies the provisioning of applications or services, referred to as "stacks," through its templating mechanism. By the end of 2023, 29% of enterprises disclosed annual public cloud spending, surpassing USD 12 million. Such substantial expenditure highlights a prevailing trend: organizations are unwaveringly transitioning to the cloud, propelled by comprehensive digital transformation initiatives. These transitions naturally amplify the demand for application containers.
• Kubernetes, with its auto-scaling feature, allows applications to adjust resources in real time based on traffic demands. This not only streamlines resource use but also guarantees an optimal user experience. By enabling container orchestration, Kubernetes offers numerous benefits in cloud computing, ranging from enhanced agility to superior scalability.
• It's essential to recognize that cloud containers are designed to virtualize specific applications. For example, a MySQL container's primary role is to provide a virtual instance of the MySQL application. Major cloud players like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and IBM offer containers-as-a-service. Importantly, these containers aren't confined to specialized services; they can function on both public and private cloud platforms.
• More organizations are considering containers as practical substitutes for virtual machines (VMs) in cloud computing. Given their ability to function seamlessly on laptops, on-premises systems, and in the cloud, containers emerge as a compelling infrastructure option for cloud providers and hybrid cloud configurations.

Asia Pacific to Register Major Growth

• In the rapidly evolving tech landscape, China has emerged as a leading hub for mobile app development. As the world's largest smartphone market, China witnesses a significant surge in demand for sophisticated mobile applications across diverse sectors. Moving forward, the emphasis will be on harnessing emerging technologies, crafting innovative solutions, and prioritizing user-centric experiences. Notably, Chinese container application firms play a crucial role in steering the nation's digital evolution.
• As per the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), India is on track to eclipse the US, positioning itself as the home to the world's largest developer population by the end of 2024. The ascent of low-code/no-code app development, which reduces the reliance on extensive coding expertise, is anticipated to propel this market's expansion further. Consequently, this growth is likely to amplify the demand for application containers in the country.
• Furthermore, developers are streamlining their processes, leading to a notable reduction in time-to-market by focusing on smaller, independent services. This strategy not only accelerates the testing phase but also expedites bug-fixing. The appetite for microservices architecture is growing, especially for critical modules and business functions. In response, Indian businesses are swiftly adopting microservices development to boost their agility.
• Moreover, India's data center sector is witnessing a significant upswing in the digital era. With its strategic positioning, the nation is set to emerge as a global data center hub, particularly for cloud computing, and boasts a promising growth trajectory. Cloud service providers in India are instrumental in propelling the demand for application containers. As more organizations, regardless of size, pivot to cloud-based platforms for their applications, this trend amplifies the nation's appetite for application containers.
• Japan's domestic cloud market is witnessing vigorous growth, spurred by a transition from on-premise systems to cloud solutions and an escalating demand for cloud-centric services. This shift is further catalyzed by changing work dynamics, especially the rise of remote work, increased reliance on technology, and a surge in remote communications and network system upkeep. Additionally, Japan's rapid embrace of a cloud-first strategy across its enterprises has fortified the stability and expansion of its cloud computing sector.

Application Container Industry Overview

The application container market features a mix of global and regional players competing for prominence. Despite high entry barriers, several newcomers have successfully carved out a niche. Key players in this arena include Mirantis, Inc., Docker, Inc., Amazon Web Services, Inc., Google, LLC, and Microsoft Corporation.

Characterized by moderate to high product differentiation and increasing market penetration, this market is fiercely competitive. Typically, solutions are bundled, integrating the service into the product offering.

To manage expenses, many users prefer annual contracts. Some vendors provide public container-based software with a contract pricing model. This model allows users to make a one-time upfront payment for a set number of licenses, granting access to the software for a chosen duration. Such arrangements have spurred demand for containerized solutions, enabling real-time updates. Providers are heavily investing in partnerships and innovations, fueling the competitive landscape. In summary, the competitive rivalry in this market is pronounced.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support