iCloud Stream Files

Hello,

I am starting to convert my workflow to work directly from the cloud.

At work, we use Google File Stream that works great, files are kept in the cloud, there is no need to download to view or use them. I figured since most of my devices are from Apple, I could use iCloud Drive, to keep everything in the same ecosystem. However, upon uploading a few files to iCloud, I realized not only I still have to download them when working on a different device, but also the files take up space on my hard drive. Is there a solution for this? Or was iCloud not meant to be used this way?