IaaS Vs. PaaS Vs. SaaS: What is the Difference?

Cloud services are becoming even more important in the business world. Almost every business in the world uses at least one type of cloud service. Businesses are asking the more critical question of what kind of cloud service to use: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. The cloud is a trending topic for small organizations all the way to international corporations but remains a broad perception that covers a lot of online territories.

As you start to consider switching your corporation to the cloud, whether it will be for application or infrastructure deployment, it is more essential than ever to know the differences and benefits of the various cloud services.

If you consider moving your business to the cloud, here are three essential acronyms to wrap your head around.

• IaaS
• PaaS
• SaaS

These are the three main models of cloud services. In this blog, TechNinjaPro will explain in more detail what you need to know about these three cloud services.

• The Key differences between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and on-Premise
• The Three Models of Cloud Services Explained
• SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS

The Key differences between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, and on-Premise

In recent times, all of a firm’s IT systems were on-premise, and the cloud was just a white fluffy thing in the sky. IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are simply three ways to describe how you can use the cloud for your organization.

• IaaS: cloud-based services, pay as you go for services such as networking, storage, and virtualization.
• PaaS: software and hardware tools available over the internet.
• SaaS: software that is available via a third party over the internet.
• On-premise: software that is installed in the building as your corporation.

Here is a perfect visual breakdown:

Examples of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS

Most organizations use a mixture of IaaS and SaaS cloud computing service models, and many engage developers to develop applications using PaaS too.

• IaaS Examples: Google Compute Engine, Digital Ocean, Rackspace, AWS EC2, Magento1 Enterprise Edition.
• PaaS Examples: Heroku, Windows Azure, Force.com, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Apache Stratos, OpenShift, Magento Commerce Cloud.
• SaaS Examples: Google Apps, Dropbox, ZenDesk, Salesforce, BigCommerce, DocuSign, Slack, Hubspot, MailChimp, VPNs, Lead Generation software, Digital Signage software.

The Three Models of Cloud Services Explained

1. SaaS: Software as a Service

SaaS or software as a service is the most common model of cloud computing that businesses use. It delivers the application over the internet and is managed by third-party vendors. You can run the software directly through the browser and do not need to download anything. It is easy to use and manage, and SaaS is also highly scalable. You can use it on many devices and do not need to install it; instead, you can deploy it easily to your team or employees.

SaaS is a perfect way to coordinate and manage an international team of freelancers or employees. Most SaaS apps run directly through your internet browser, which means you do not need any downloads or installations on the client-side. Due to its web browser delivery, SaaS eliminates the need to have IT staff download and install applications on each individual system. With SaaS, vendors manage all the potential technical problems such as data, middleware, storage, resulting in streamlined maintenance and support for the business.

SaaS Advantages:

• You do not need to configure and install anything. It is readily available on your internet browser.
• You can also use the software from any system, and you only need to log into your account from the device.
• Your IT staff will be able to use the software without the need to download it. All staff will be able to sign in and use the software.

SaaS Disadvantages:

• It does not provide control over the infrastructure that the software runs on. If there is an outage, you are dependent on it.

When to Use SaaS:

It is readily accessible over the internet. SaaS applications are managed centrally and hosted from third-party remote servers. It is the best option if you need an app but do not have the time or resources to build or control the software. A SaaS platform can be excellent if you need an app for a short period. You can easily subscribe and unsubscribe whenever you need to use the service.

It comes with some restrictions. For beginners, moving from one vendor to another can be hard because not all SaaS applications follow open integration standards. It is often used for very specific use cases more related to business operations than for offering or building software.

2. IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service

Infrastructure as a service are services that include pay-as-you-go networking, storage, and virtualization. The cloud computing providers will offer and manage the physical infrastructure, including servers, storage, and more. On the other hand, the clients manage nearly everything else, including the operating system, containers, virtual machines, and other apps that might be used or middleware.

IaaS offers users the cloud infrastructure they need to perform generalizations or specialized tasks. It is completely based on the rental model. Purchasing an IaaS service means renting IT infrastructure similar to traditional computer hardware but operating in a virtual environment. Instead of buying physical computer hardware, you can rent the infrastructure you wish as a virtual service through an IaaS vendor.

We can compare IaaS to running apps in your own data center. The key difference is that your IT team does not have to configure, deploy and maintain the physical equipment that your applications use. This allows companies to get the equipment and services on the premises with reduced on-site resource expenditure.

IaaS Advantages:

• Lower expenses on hardware infrastructure, including structures such as storage, servers, networking resources, and similar. You would not need to invest in exclusive infrastructure as a business.
• IaaS is a dedicated cloud-based service that allows access to the added resources for scaling your applications.
• It uses metering to control resource allocation and charge businesses based on the computing resources they consume. As a result, you can save capital by paying for what you are using actively.
• By renting virtual infrastructure, businesses can use their resources for acquiring and managing physical tools for business growth and strategic development.

IaaS Disadvantages:

• IaaS is not necessarily the lowest total cost of ownership, and your IT team will have the majority of tasks when it comes to managing the associated IT.
• Its cost can be unpredictable. The easy scalability makes it desirable, but you can expect higher than usual users sometimes forget to shut down instances, resulting in bigger costs.

When to Use IaaS:

Both PaaS and SaaS are delivered as software, but IaaS comes as virtualized, cloud-based resources. Its vendors offer their customers full responsibility for managing their applications and platforms, only assisting in managing the backend infrastructure.  It is the best choice if you are searching for an alternative to purchasing and installing dedicated software and hardware.

For small businesses and startups with specific requirements, IaaS saves time and money by providing them just the assets they need and scaling with them as they grow. On the other hand, big organizations may prefer IaaS because it gives them complete control over their applications and infrastructure.

IaaS can also leverage infrastructure as code that has been built for on-premise management and allows a smooth and more consistent transition.

3. PaaS: Platform as a service

PaaS is not easy to define with a sentence or two; think of it as a tool to develop apps and products online. It can be database management, middleware, or analytics. PaaS allows developers to build personalized apps online without the need to deal with data storage and serving.

It provides you a complete service for on-demand use. Paas also offers a platform on which develops can design and deploy an app without getting involved in time-consuming routines like storage configuration, server configuration, security, auto-scaling, and load balancing. It delivers a framework for developers where all servers, storage, and networking can be managed by an enterprise or a third-party service provider while the developers can maintain the management of apps.

PaaS Advantages:

• It allows developers to customize applications without the headache of maintaining the software.
• It provides seamless platform updates. You can leave tasks like maintaining, updating, tracking, and re-integrating components to the vendor and concentrate on building your application.
• PaaS can provide you complete control of the features and tools on the platform.
• It supports and allows multiple programming languages, which provides developers the chance to work on several projects.
• Cost-efficient development of applications.

PaaS Disadvantages:

• There are many unpredictable charges, especially as the service continues to grow.
• You have less customer control and flexibility
• You may need basic coding knowledge to get the most out of PaaS
• You only control what is being built over the platform.

When to Use PaaS:

SaaS and PaaS are a bit similar in delivery. Yet, instead of getting software over the internet, you get a platform for creating your own applications. It is best to search for a simple, streamlined, and low-cost way to develop and deploy specific applications. You can customize and build your app without worrying about the resources or infrastructure behind the platform.

It allows abstraction from the information and storage layers. This is positive for data you are less worried about but can raise concerns over data governance. Moving from one PaaS service provider to another can be problematic if your vendor does not have a reliable migrating policy.

SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS

Each cloud computing model provides specific features and functionalities, and your business needs to know the differences. Whether you need cloud-based software for storage choices, a smooth platform allows you to create customized apps or total control over your entire infrastructure without physically maintaining it; there is a cloud service for you.

No matter which option you select, migrating to the cloud is the future of technology and business. By moving to cloud technology, your business can innovate faster, save money and sustain customer relationships well beyond initial product purchases.

Conclusion

The truth is that each cloud computing service is apt for different businesses. Each cloud service has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you can simply select the service that best suits your requirements. With IaaS, you get more control over the apps and the processes, but you will have to keep in mind the higher costs and unexpected fees that might occur.

On the other hand, SaaS is by far the popular model of cloud computing services. You can use applications without the need to manage the infrastructure. PaaS is perfect for developers who do not need to spend extra on the required platforms to complete projects. Yet, this choice too, comes with some disadvantages.

At the end of this blog, each business should consider what exactly they need and make an informed decision. You will need to consider your business goals before selecting the service you need.

Frequently Asked Questions