SaaS vs. PaaS vs. IaaS: What's The Difference

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Understanding SaaS, PaaS and IaaS

Service as a Service
In this model, the services are in the Cloud, and end-users and businesses can access the services using cloud-based tools on a daily basis.

Platform as a Service
In this model, the platform is available on the Cloud. Thus, developers and businesses can use resources from the Cloud, develop, build, and host apps in the Cloud.

Infrastructure as a Service
In this case, various elements of the IT ecosystem are present in the Cloud. For example, businesses have their servers present on the Cloud or have data storage within the Cloud.

All of these devices can be accessed using browsers from a smart device. Compared to on-site apps and software systems, cloud-based systems can be accessed anytime and from any place.

For on-premise, there is a need to invest in a license and renew it regularly. With cloud-based models, there is a subscription fee that enterprises and individuals need to pay.

Today we are going to learn more and in-depth about the difference between all three cloud computing models.

SaaS

This model has services or Software present on the cloud, where the services are delivered to the end-users through the internet. The SaaS development companies make these services available to its end-users on a subscription-based model.

SaaS has been a popular model for quite some time now. Services are usually not required to be downloaded or installed on individual devices. The service providers can scale up service offerings to unlimited scales, and these are quite easy to manage access and use.

Such models are becoming more and more popular these days, where many employees need to work remotely. Also, such systems are a blessing for a global team.

Examples of SaaS

PixTeller

PixTeller is an online image editing software tool-cum-animation maker. Creative people can use the cloud-based tool to create impressive posters, logos, collages, quotes, invitations, marketing flyers, etc. The free-to-use tool has about a million-plus templates and a PixBot to help create images.

Dropbox

Dropbox is another interesting example of SaaS where multiple users from the same organization can download, upload, and share documents and files.

PaaS

For developers, PaaS makes a big difference in their workflow. Developers often face major issues when developing an app on the local drive and getting it deployed online. Developers often face major issues. Resolving such issues involve complicated and multiple steps. Using PaaS, development, and deployment can happen back to back seamlessly.

Not just that, being in the Cloud, the entire team of developers can communicate and collaborate in real-time, track progress, update apps, and customize them without any hassle. PaaS platforms have the potential to be scalable if the developers' community adopts the tools easily.

Examples of PaaS

Google App Engine

Google App Engine enables developers to develop web apps and host them on Google-managed cloud centers.

SAP Cloud

SAP Cloud is another common example of PaaS. While developers can use the Platform to build apps of various scales, they can also integrate on-site apps with Cloud. More than 1,300 apps have been made using SAP Cloud.

IaaS

With IaaS, organizations manage their entire network and various elements like servers, operating systems, storage spaces, etc., in the cloud. Thus, organizations do have to indulge in the physical management of servers and networks. Using the Application Programming Interface, they can easily manage their entire IT assets and resources in the Cloud.

IaaS can be best understood as a server or a series of servers spread across the world that the IaaS providers manage. Organizations that use such services pay for services rendered on the cloud and server and storage space.

They also save time and money vis-à-vis hosting and managing servers on-site. IaaS products include virtual servers, storage spaces, and networks.

Examples of IaaS

Amazon Web Services or AWS

Amazon Web Services or AWS offered by Amazon, organizations can purchase the services on a subscription-based model. They can then use the services for data storage and delivery of content through cloud computing.

Google Cloud

Google Cloud it is another great example of IaaS. Organizations can use this Platform to run their operating systems like Windows or even SAP or Oracle. Organizations also use the Platform to improve operational efficiency by using technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

Pros and Cons of IaaS

Pros of IaaS:

• • Organizations have commendable power and control over the hardware and Software of the platforms.
• • Scalable and flexible, organizations can increase the use of resources as they scale up.
• • Organizations assess more resources and pay for the same. When they need limited resources, they can scale down.
• • Users do not need to spend on buying physical servers and hardware or manage the same. PaaS works on a cost-effective basis.

Cons of IaaS:

• • Security could be a cause of concern and depends largely on the service provider. Therefore, care needs to be taken while choosing a service provider.
• • Organizations are in charge of their data, so they need to strategize well to safeguard their critical data.
• • A greater amount of control means that organizations need to proactively work on the security aspects of their resources on IaaS.

Difference between SaaS, PaaS, and Iaas