IaaS vs. PaaS vs. SaaS: How are they different?
October 1, 2020 Sajitha Mobile Application Development
The cloud service models that are predominantly used are SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS (software as a service, platform as a service, and infrastructure as a service).
Most of the business owners are not aware of the differences between these three major cloud models and face difficulty in choosing one for their company.
In this article, we guide you to find which cloud service model is apt for your company.
Let’s get started.
Cloud service models in 2020
Before we dive deep into choosing which cloud service is best for your company.
Let’s discuss in depth about these three modules and know how they differ from each other.
What is SaaS?
Software as a service (SaaS) is related to an application hosted by the provider and it will be available to its subscribers on the internet.
SaaS allows its user to download the application by using an internet connection with confirmation on subscription.
SaaS provides the latest up-to-date applications in the latest version to its consumers. This helps developers to maintain revenue for maintaining their product.
What is PaaS?
Platform as a service (PaaS) provides the entire cloud environment for the process of development on the internet for developers.
It allows developers to create simple to complex and hybrid cloud apps for business software.
Likewise, SaaS provides up-to-date latest technological versions with tools to reduce the cost of getting the latest versions. So it is quite similar to SaaS in maintenance.
What is IaaS?
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) allows users to perform many tasks with their hardware.
This is majorly used by service providers who maintain their own data centers. This includes on-premise storage space, advanced computing, or special processors services.
SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS: the major differences
The three major public cloud service modules are different from each other in providing service to the end-user.
SaaS is efficient in cost matters and users can manage it easily without any problems.
When you look IaaS closer, with the growth in end-users’ responsibility.
The options don’t require much self-management on-premise solutions from the users.
- Data and software: SaaS don’t require data usage as both IaaS and PaaS requires data. When you find the right product, it will fit in your application then SaaS is your right choice.
- Operating systems: In managing your operating system, PaaS and SaaS helps users to manage it. While in IaaS still, the users have to handle their own web-based technology stack.
- Servers and data storage: All three cloud security models are accessed through the internet, it requires data storage and also managing servers for its users. If you are a company running your own on-premise solutions then it will be a problem for you.
Related reads: Productivity apps for small business
Examples of common cloud services
Are you confused about cloud service models? We give examples of applications that are based on these three major models.
You will easily recognize some of the examples mentioned here with load balancing hardware and software. It will help you to further classify their differences.
SaaS
- GSuite- This is Google’s suite including mail and office suite for businesses. It also has tools to schedule and collaborate online.
- Hubspot- if you are in the field of marketing, you can easily find this as it is one of the leading sources. It allows a business to promote its marketing and sales.
PaaS
- Windows Azure- It is built on its Azure platform, it allows developers to use windows in any of the cloud-based mobiles or desktop. One can easily access it from anywhere using their online visual studio.
- Google App Engine- With Google’s cloud platforms, developers can use any language to run. As it is the most used tool in the cloud-based framework.
IaaS
- AWS- Amazon Web Services is the most used in the cloud infrastructure. The suite includes many cloud computing service models on storage and resources.
- Google Compute Engine- This service features virtual machines on Google’s data centers.
Which service is best for your business?
You got an idea about all the three services provided by cloud service models, now you can choose the best model for your business. Every business is different and has unique features.
Many large companies rely on SaaS services and even it is not possible for the biggest companies to do everything.
In a technology stack, you can determine which model to use for your company.
Related reads: Best Ecommerce platform to build your Online Store
Small/Medium/Large businesses
SaaS
SaaS is the most popular out of all the three models. Now businesses can save their money as the designing and software developing process doesn’t require them.
If a product fits within your SaaS space, then it is ideal to use a particular product.
The SaaS software nature is to focus your business in the most productive way.
Medium/Large businesses with fewer resources
PaaS
If you have a medium/large business and an IT department in it, then PaaS will be the best option for you.
If you need a customized solution to integrate with already existing workflow and programming language.
As your businesses keep on growing, your needs will come into certain limitations.
PaaS comes in between SaaS and IaaS in providing customized solutions, it reduces the maintenance from the user.
Medium/Large businesses with minimum resources
IaaS
Large businesses and services including IT requirements will need IaaS in general terms.
IaaS helps you to create a technology stack that will fit perfectly for your business.
And it is easy to update any new latest technology as per your business needs. You can also control your technical stack.
Large companies with major resources
On-Premise
It is applicable to only large companies that have their own data center.
As you don’t have to look for any cloud services and manage within your servers.
As an alternative to cloud computing, you can expand your department or servers for all your needs.
Bottom Line
SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS may sound similar to you, but it provides different levels of work reduction from the user side.
Now you can easily save your time and effort by using the right service provider. It is always advisable to go in hand for services with experienced teams.
One of such is Zuan Technologies, you can manage everything in one go by choosing us.