Public clouds are shared, multi-tenant environments where resources are provided over the internet, often on a pay-as-you-go basis. They are managed by third-party service providers, making them cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating needs. In contrast, private clouds are dedicated environments meant for a single organization, offering greater control and customization. These distinct cloud types address varying requirements for scalability, security, and compliance. Hybrid clouds combine elements of both, enabling organizations to choose the best deployment strategy for their operations.