Blog/Cloud Computing
SaaS vs IaaS vs PaaS: How to Differentiate Between Them
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Praise Iwuh
April 25, 2023
SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS are the three major types of cloud computing services. This means these services are primarily involved with delivering cloud-based services via the Internet ("the cloud"), including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence, to provide quicker invention, adaptable resources, and scale economies.
It can occasionally be easy to mistake IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS for one another due to their similarities. Fortunately, this guide is created to make it simple to distinguish between these terms.
You will easily differentiate one from the other after reading this article.
Outline
What is SaaS?
What is IaaS?
What is PaaS?
What are the differences between SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS?
Examples of SaaS
Examples of IaaS
Examples of PaaS
What is SaaS?
Software as a Service, or SaaS, is a program delivery model in which a third-party provider hosts software apps and makes them accessible to customers online.
Most SaaS platforms offer mobile web access. This means customers in this approach can use a web browser or a specific mobile app to access the software applications, and they can pay for the service via a subscription or usage-based pricing.
It is the most popular type of the three types of cloud computing.
The main idea behind SaaS is that customers do not have to buy or manage their software or hardware due to its use of cloud-based services. "The cloud" here applies to distant web servers in different data centres that run application code and host databases.
What is IaaS?
IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. It refers to a type of cloud computing that offers consumers pay-as-you-go access to basic compute, network, and storage tools on demand over the Internet.
IaaS allows end users to expand and contract resources as needed, obviating the need for large upfront capital expenditures or unused "owned" infrastructure services, particularly in the case of "spiky" workloads.
In simple terms, IaaS is a cloud computing method that provides internet-based pay-as-you-go or mobile web access to IT infrastructure services like computing, storage, and network resources. For instance, you can use IaaS to request and set up the resources you need to operate your IT systems and applications.
What is PaaS?
PaaS stands for Platform as a Service. PaaS is a full-featured cloud development and deployment environment with the resources you need to execute anything from essential cloud-based apps to complex enterprise applications. You simply pay for the resources you require using an online service provider's pay-as-you-go model and access them via a secure Internet link.
The primary aim of PaaS is that it helps you to save money and time you would ordinarily spend on purchasing and managing software licenses, the infrastructure service and middleware that underpins your applications, container orchestrators like Kubernetes, or other resources like development tools.
This is because the cloud service provider usually manages everything else while you manage the applications and services you create.
The primary benefit of PaaS products is that they give your development team a safe environment to create unique applications and software that can be used internally or sold to end users.
As with SaaS products, PaaS products have mobile web access. In addition, PaaS providers take care of platform upkeep and upgrades on your account, freeing your developers to concentrate solely on developing software.
In reality, you can create new SaaS platforms using a PaaS tool.
What is the Difference Between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS?
The major difference between SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS is that PaaS is frequently built on top of an IaaS platform to minimise the need for system administration because it enables you to concentrate on app development rather than infrastructure administration, while IaaS exists to give you the most incredible flexibility when it comes to hosting custom-built apps and to offer a general data centre for data storage, and SaaS provides ready-to-use, out-of-the-box solutions that address a specific business need. (such as a website or email). Most popular SaaS systems are created on IaaS or PaaS platforms.
Also, SaaS products are entirely handled by another company, including the servers and the actual data. This is not the case with a PaaS platform. With PaaS, you can use the cloud-based infrastructure service as a building block when creating software. While with IaaS, Operating systems are more directly under the control of administrators.
Other notable differences include:
1. Model
SaaS is a service model used for cloud computing applications. They primarily host different software and make it accessible to end users, while PaaS is a type of cloud computing that primarily provides the instruments needed to create different applications, and IaaS is a service delivery model that provides several visualised computing resources across the internet
2. Target audience
The target audience for SaaS platforms is majorly end users, while the target audience for PaaS platforms is primarily developers, and the target audience for IaaS is majorly network architects.
3. Technical knowledge
There is no need for technical knowledge to set up or use SaaS applications. However, some technical expertise is needed for the basic set-up of PaaS applications, and IaaS provider requires in-depth technical knowledge and writing to set up and use the application.
4. Level of Abstraction
SaaS requires the highest level of abstraction in the cloud computing model. PaaS requires some level of abstraction for underlying hardware and software resources, and IaaS requires the lowest level of abstraction in the cloud computing model
Examples of SaaS
1. Google Workspace
Google Workspace, formerly called "G Suite", is an excellent SaaS platform for collaboration, productivity and communication. Every productivity tool you are familiar with and enjoy is available in Google Workspace, including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet, and many more.
These Google products have rapidly risen to the top of the list of the most popular collaboration and communication tools on the market. It provides limitless storage space at high speeds for all your files and is entirely free to use.
2. Salesforce
Salesforce is a provider of cloud-based software that allows companies to handle marketing campaigns, sales operations, and customer data.
It is a solid and adaptable CRM platform that provides a variety of integrations with third-party programs and services.
Salesforce offers SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS services while helping businesses to manage their leads easily, gain more understanding of their target market, and remain in touch with them throughout the customer journey.
Examples of IaaS
1. Amazon Web Services (IWS)
AWS is an IaaS provider that allows you to choose the web application platform, computer language, operating system, database, and other necessary services.
Regarding public cloud market share, Amazon Web Services leads the world and offers cloud services in 245 nations. It offers over 200 Cloud Computing services spanning various fields such as storage, networking, security, computation, migration, etc.
2. Rackspace
Rackspace offers various services and solutions for companies of all sizes. One of the primary services offered by this IaaS provider is managed hosting, which gives end users mobile web access to strong servers and other infrastructure resources for running their websites, apps, and other online tools.
Rackspace also offers a wide range of services, including cloud storage, databases, statistics, and managed hosting. These services can aid companies in storing, managing, and analysing massive quantities of data and scaling their operations to meet expanding demands.
Examples of PaaS
1. Red hat
Red Hat is an enterprise software provider that uses an open-source development model. It offers hardened open-source solutions that make it relatively easy for businesses to work across platforms and environments, from the core data centre to the network edge, and it aids in developing flexible, robust IT infrastructure solutions.
Red Hat offers storage, operating system platforms, middleware, applications, management, support, training, and consulting services.
Essentially, Red Hat develops, supports, and contributes to various open-source software initiatives.
2. Heroku
Heroku is a platform as a Service (PaaS) that allows programmers to create, launch, and manage applications entirely in the cloud.
It allows easy application development and deployment, mainly supporting customer-focused apps.
In addition, businesses that use Heroku can concentrate on perfecting their apps because the Heroku platform handles servers, hardware and the systems that keep them running.
When to Use SaaS
Here are the best scenarios for using SaaS:
1. Startups or small businesses who need to launch an e-commerce store immediately but do not have time to deal with server problems or software. WordPress and Hivedeck are two excellent examples of SaaS that simplify starting a functional website without worrying about configuring your server and managing software updates.
2. Anytime you need quick, simple, and affordable collaboration for short-term tasks. Examples of SaaS for these are Google Workspace and Figma.
3. You need an application that can be accessed on mobile and the web. Examples of these are accounting and CRM software such as Sales Force, Zoho Books and Hubspot.
When to Use IaaS
IaaS is best to use in cases where you have many apps that need to be scaled up or down in response to varying levels of demand or you need total control of your applications.
They are used mainly by businesses that operate high-performance applications and require total control, entrepreneurs creating their hardware and software with limited resources at their disposal, and rapidly expanding businesses that routinely modify their computing resources to meet changing requirements.
When to Use PaaS
Platform as a Service is suitable for a team of developers seeking to build an app. In addition, it is a perfect fit for corporate entities seeking to create their own tools, software development agencies, or startups seeking to build new application software.
Conclusion
SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS do not compete with one another. Most large corporations use all three, while most mid-sized companies frequently use more than one. However, your decision to use any model should be based on your business type.
For instance, SaaS may be your best choice if you want out-of-the-box features without the installation hassle. PaaS will benefit your company if you require a platform tailored to developing software products, while IaaS is the best option for you if you are looking for a highly flexible, scalable service that allows you to retain control over its infrastructure.
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