The digital transformation of the Spanish business landscape continues to progress at a steady pace. The II Cloud and SME Observatory 2025, published by the cloud services platform Jotelulu, reveals that the adoption of cloud solutions by Spanish SMEs grew by 110% during 2024, a figure that solidifies the uptake of this technological model in businesses of all sizes, especially among those with between 10 and 50 employees.
The report, which analyzes the behavior of 5,489 companies between 2020 and 2024 and includes qualitative data from over 350 interviews with CEOs and CTOs from the IT channel, not only offers an updated overview of cloud usage in SMEs but also identifies the main barriers, emerging needs, and trends that will shape the immediate future of this key segment of the economy.
Current Profile of SMEs Embracing the Cloud
According to data extracted from the observatory, 59% of SMEs that migrated to the cloud in the last year have between 10 and 50 employees, making this segment the most dynamic in terms of adoption. The remaining 40% is divided among microenterprises (fewer than 10 employees) and larger companies. The majority of them—76%—have an annual turnover of less than 2 million euros.
In terms of their digital maturity, 70% of these SMEs consider themselves in the initial or intermediate phase, indicating that while they have made the shift to the cloud, there is still considerable room for technological evolution ahead.
Sector Distribution: Professional Services and Commerce Lead, but Others Advance
Four sectors account for the bulk of adoptions:
- Professional Services: 23.2%
- Commerce: 17.4%
- Industry: 15.1%
- Construction and Real Estate: 12.4%
However, the report reveals that the largest absolute growth in 2024 occurred in sectors such as commerce, industry, and construction, highlighting a diversification in demand. There is also an acceleration in areas like technology, tourism, healthcare, and transportation, which have traditionally shown less dynamism.
Regional Distribution: Catalonia and Madrid Lead
By autonomous communities, Catalonia tops the ranking with 27.3% of the total SMEs analyzed using cloud solutions, followed by Madrid (16.5%), Andalusia (12.4%), and the Valencian Community (8.9%). Galicia (4.3%), Castilla and León (3.9%), Aragón (3.6%), and the Basque Country (3.4%) round out the top positions.
The study points to a progressive expansion throughout the territory, with adoptions becoming increasingly homogeneous thanks to the push from the IT channel and the multiplier effect of successful experiences.
Most Demanded Service Types
61% of the services contracted by SMEs in the last year are of the infrastructure type (IaaS and PaaS), highlighting solutions such as virtual servers, remote desktops, firewalls, and backups.
Following are:
- Software Licensing (22.1%)
- File Storage and Sharing (15.2%)
- Other specific services such as professional email, web hosting, collaborative tools, etc. (1.4%)
A notable point from the report is the growth of services related to security and business continuity, which have increased by 9.3% compared to the previous year. This trend indicates a heightened concern for data protection, operational resilience, and cybersecurity in general.
What Motivates SMEs to Migrate to the Cloud?
According to qualitative data from interviews with CEOs and CTOs from the IT channel, the main reasons why SMEs adopt cloud services are:
- Mobility (56.6%): the ability to work from anywhere.
- Improvement in Competitiveness (53.4%): access to advanced technology without investments in infrastructure.
- Security (38.4%): greater protection against data loss or theft.
- Scalability and Flexibility (26.8%): adaptation to demand without overprovisioning resources.
- Cost Reduction (21.3%): savings on maintenance, licenses, and hardware.
- Improvement in Customer Experience (12.3%)
Barriers Still Hindering Total Uptake
Despite significant progress, 59% of the IT leaders consulted still consider that cloud penetration among Spanish SMEs is low or very low. In fact, according to Eurostat, in 2023 only 26% of small enterprises and 8% of microenterprises in Spain used cloud services, compared to a European average of 45%.
The main barriers identified are:
- Perception of high prices (especially among microenterprises)
- Lack of digital culture and resistance to change
- Technical unawareness of available solutions
- Concerns about security and privacy
A Cultural Shift That Is Already Underway
The report emphasizes that the adoption of cloud in SMEs is becoming less of a technological option and more of a strategic necessity. The emergence of artificial intelligence, the increasing need for remote access, and the rise of the zero trust model are pushing SMEs to seek out more modern, secure, and scalable solutions.
The IT channel plays a crucial role in this transformation: 88% of SMEs that migrated to the cloud in 2024 did so through specialized providers or distributors, underscoring the importance of technical advice and close support in the digital transformation process.
Conclusion
The Cloud and SME Observatory 2025 confirms that the 110% growth in cloud adoption during 2024 is structural rather than cyclical. Spanish SMEs are recognizing that the cloud is now a basic infrastructure, comparable to electricity or connectivity, to remain competitive.
However, to solidify this change and narrow the gap that still exists with other European countries, it will be necessary to break down myths, facilitate access to affordable solutions, and train human teams. The cloud is here to stay, but the real challenge is for all SMEs, regardless of size or sector, to leverage it effectively and sustainably.