IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS – cloud service models compared (2024)

Do you know the difference between your cloud service models? Can you tell your IaaS from your PaaS and SaaS? The list of cloud-based services is long, and continually growing. But, if you want to know which solution is right for your business. First you need to understand the various configurations. Each different solution is like a remote Lego model. And each brick is like a piece of the infrastructure. Or an application that your business needs.

So, here’s an introduction and useful comparison to some of the -aaS services out there. Let us help you understand. So in the future you don’t get your SaaS confused with your PaaS.

Trying to understand the concepts behind cloud services can sometimes feel like you’re grasping at…well clouds really. It’s tricky to think of IaaS vs PaaS, PaaS vs SaaS, or IaaS vs SaaS if you have no idea what they mean.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service, and Software-as-a-Service may have you scratching your head. But they subtly describe the different tasks and responsibilities service providers offer.

1. IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service) offers environments that are scalable, controllable and automated.

2. PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service) provides a framework that lets you create and release applications quickly. It also automates and manages the provision of infrastructure.

3. SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) allows programs to run remotely and is accessible through the Internet. So you don’t need to run a program from a certain device.

So, the concept of as-a-Service seems clear. Whatever the first letter stands for, that’s what’s available to anyone, anywhere with an Internet connection.

The advantage of Cloud services is that you can increase or decrease the amount of remote resources you need. You pay for what you use – paying more when you need it, and less when you don’t. Moving data and business processes to the cloud gives unmatched flexibility. Now businesses no longer have to deal with the logistical and financial headaches of old-style IT.

Investing in servers and hardware probably aren’t top of your Christmas list. You have to manage them. Then they take up space. Plus they depreciate. Investing in IaaS is probably the gift you really want. IaaS allows you to create and manage virtual, pre-configured machines. You can also deploy computing power in less time – without the complexity.

Amazon Web Services’ IaaS is called the Elastic Compute Cloud, or EC2. IaaS packages like this look after storage and networking, as well as servers and virtualization components. All you need to do is simply install it. Then maintain the operating system, databases, security components, and applications.

PaaS lets you write and test code. All without worrying about managing the system you’re working on. Developers particularly like PaaS for this reason. It just lets them get on with developing. PaaS products also include APIs and other tools for developers to add features. Tools such as traffic splitting, monitoring, and version control systems.

Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform are popular PaaS examples. You’ll find out more about them in the in-depth examples section.

Gmail, Dropbox, Salesforce, and Netflix are all well-known examples of SaaS applications. All of the storage and computational heavy lifting happens in the cloud. You then access the fruits of these labors over the Internet via a browser-based interface.

SaaS apps allow you to make use of tools. And you don’t have to worry about fixing or maintaining them. Moreover, data is backed up and happens automatically. It’s all off-site, so you don’t have to worry about how it all works. What you do have to worry about is that it can still break. This is crucial as a SaaS provider is the custodian of all your most important stuff. You need to trust they’ve got robust security. And that their service won’t go down when you need it most.

The cloud industry is continually growing. Research company Forrester thinks the cloud market will grow from $146 billion in 2017 to $236 billion in 2020. Their report suggests providers will increase the number of available services and computing models. They’ve seen an upsurge in new cloud adopters, all benefiting from the cloud’s efficiency. Forrester also thinks regional and industry-specific services will be offered – coming from new and more diverse cloud providers.

With Office 365, Azure, and virtual machines, Microsoft covers the cloud-model trifecta.

Amazon Web Services was on the crest of the first cloud computing wave when it started in 2006, according to CIO. This pegs the company’s current revenue at around $11 billion a year. Microsoft Azure currently sits in second place as a cloud provider. Furthermore, it recently reported a 100% increase in quarterly growth over the previous year. Microsoft offers 600+ services in just its Azure suite alone. It also covers all three cloud computing models.

Azure offers a slew of fast and convenient virtual servers. Each server is available in the blink of an eye. Fitted with the language, workload, and operating system of the superuser. Azure supports pre-configured server images to make deployment simple. But users can also dive in and create their own bespoke configurations.

PaaS-wise, Azure Cloud Services provides developers with plenty of language and framework options. And thankfully none of the headaches of infrastructure management. Azure integrates with the Azure SDK and Visual Studio to further ease the development journey.

Azure Emulator mimics cloud functionality on a user’s local machine. So cloud apps can be tested off-line before deployment. Once deployed, Cloud Services takes care of automatic operating system and application patching. Along with integrated health, monitoring, and load-balancing tools.

New York-based cloud provider Apprenda compares cloud computing platforms to the power grid. Lightbulb users don’t need to know how power is generated. They just “see the light.” Similarly, cloud users don’t need to know how the cloud works.

The WebSpecia blog explains IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS using a transportation analogy. Thus IaaS is like a lease car arrangement, while PaaS is like getting a cab. Meanwhile, SaaS is more like using a bus or the subway.

Think of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS cloud computing models in whatever way makes sense to you. Hopefully this guide to cloud service models has helped un-muddy some of your thoughts. And given you a clearer idea about on-demand services. Once you’re familiar with the three main configurations, you can begin your journey through the myriad of other options.