All companies
SuperconductingEst. 1911Armonk, New York

IBM

IBM Quantum

The company that put quantum on the cloud.

The pioneer that put quantum computers on the cloud and races to scale superconducting qubits into the thousands.

First Quantum Computer on the Cloud

In 2016 IBM made a 5-qubit machine available to anyone with a browser — a world first.

Led by Jay Gambetta (VP Quantum)

The Story

Timeline.

2016

Launches IBM Quantum Experience — the first quantum computer ever put on the public cloud.

2019

Unveils IBM Q System One, the world's first commercial gate-model quantum computer.

2021

Announces the 127-qubit Eagle processor, crossing a symbolic threshold.

2022

433-qubit Osprey pushes past every other superconducting chip publicly available.

2023

Condor lands at 1,121 qubits — the first four-digit superconducting processor.

2024

IBM Quantum System Two goes live, designed for modular multi-chip machines.

2026

Roadmap targets Kookaburra and error-corrected logical qubits at scale.

What makes them different

Key Facts

  • Runs the world's largest fleet of publicly accessible quantum computers.
  • Qiskit, its open-source SDK, is the de facto standard for learning quantum programming.
  • Building modular architectures that link multiple chips into one logical machine.
  • Partners include CERN, Boeing, JPMorgan, Cleveland Clinic and the U.S. government.

Real-world pilots

Quantum Uses Today

  • Chemistry simulations for battery and catalyst research.
  • Portfolio optimization pilots with major banks.
  • Machine learning research on quantum kernel methods.
  • Public education and workforce training through Qiskit.

If they succeed

Potential Applications

  • Materials discovery for room-temperature superconductors.
  • Drug design at the level of individual molecular interactions.
  • Cryptanalysis-resistant algorithms and post-quantum security research.
  • Large-scale optimization for logistics, energy grids and traffic.