Daria Lymanska
CEO & Founder

Too many requests! You have made too many requests!! No more requests!!!
– How many times do you have to hear that before you get really angry?Amazon Chime API’s request throttling tested our patience like this. But all we ever wanted was to make a simple text chat app work! In this article, you’ll find out why Chime was so unkind to us, what we did to turn things around, and how you too can follow the path we forged.

Most likely you have used these digital tools at least once – Google Docs, Dropbox, and Azure. They are based on the SaaS model. Apart from this widespread one, there are other variations of cloud application services, such as PaaS and IaaS. You will find out about their differences in this article, so keep on reading it. ‍

IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS: Pillars of Cloud Services at a Glance

The highlighted models – IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS – are aimed at delivering digital tools and services to end users through the cloud on the subscription basis.

According to each aforementioned cloud model, end users don't have to pay for these services and tools one time – instead, as they are owned and supported by a specific vendor, the users are provided with entry credentials as they pay for a subscription. Only a steady web connection is needed to start using such a cloud application. At the same time, entire maintenance efforts in terms of cloud services remain on the provider's side. Even more, users are allowed to optimize their own facilities by offloading apps. Thus, they get more space while specific info is stored remotely on a secured server. 

Let's take a deep look at each of these variations:

  • IaaS – stands for Infrastructure as a Service and implies access to demand compute, storage, and networking resources, according to the pay-as-you-go pricing model. In this case, we speak about the IT infrastructure used to arrange the operation of diverse tools and regular processes in the remote, end-user’s office outside the vendor’s premises. 
  • SaaS – means Software as a Service and supposes that the cloud-based software vendor deploys it on its computing premises, supports it, and provides users with access to it as a ready-made web service. 
  • PaaS – stands for Platform as a Service and consists of providing end users with a ready-to-use cloud platform for developing, testing, and deploying their own applications, from simple cloud services to end-to-end industrial systems.

Let's check these cloud service models in more detail.

IaaS Is about Infrastructure

When the IaaS access option is requested, users get numerous facilities –  servers, storage capacities, as well as network options, among others, –  to leverage them as if those could be available physically within their own premises. Overall, the IaaS meaning lies in ensuring steady connection between the end users and IT facilities; the latter ones are located in remote spots.

SaaS Is about Services

This is the most sought-after offer that supposes using apps that are hosted remotely. Based on individual credentials, end users obtain access to such tools to cope with regular personal or business tasks. In return, they pay a predefined price for a timeframe of leveraging SaaS (usually, this is one year or one month). Thus, SaaS meaning is to guarantee straightforward access to specific software under remote and subscription terms.

PaaS Is about a Platform 

It is a remote, cloud-hosted, platform aiming to produce, leverage, and support the operation of diverse apps. The facility holder owns all types of assets that guarantee steady operation. This is an all-in-one option comprising apps, systems, storage facilities, frameworks, functions, safety arrangements and protocols, backup copies, etc. PaaS meaning lies in forming a remote space where users can create, test, and run applications with specific functionality. For an oblivious reason, the PaaS variation is far cheaper in contrast when a user ensures all similar arrangements independently.

Public vs Private Cloud

But what about public vs private cloud – which of these options does each of the above models provide? A private option is entirely controlled by a single service provider without sharing the facilities with others. A public counterpart is offered to an unlimited number of external subjects who only intend to utilize specific offers. Most of the cloud providers are categorized as ones belonging to the second type.

But are there any intermediary options? Yes, there are hybrid cloud solutions, too, that are created and maintained on the so-called “edge” locations, i.e., thanks to both private and public facilities. 

SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS: Distinct Features to Know

Each approach from the SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS trio is associated with distinct peculiarities. We will look at them from the user’s perspective:

IaaS PaaS SaaS
Hosting and management Users can run separate virtual components Users obtain certain managing functions feasible for steadfast app development These tasks are fully on the provider’s side
Cases of utilization Provides all the infrastructure to support web apps (storage, servers, and networking resources) Perfect for creating various web and mobile apps Suits perfectly for connecting to and using cloud-based apps
Scalability Granular Automatic Remains after a provider
Customization and adaptability High Medium Restricted
Payments In advance Vary Subscription-based
Safety Shared security obligations Highlights safety at the extent of the target app Host is in charge of hardware and data security – high level SaaS ensures all this to the full

Choosing the Right Model for Your Case

When the story comes to making a choice, there are numerous pitfalls to take into account:

Type Benefits Challenges
IaaS
  • Wide scope of control functions
  • On-demand scalability
  • Limited number of advance payments
  • Less delays and resources needed
  • Increased speed of operation
  • Data security is the user’s responsibility
  • Needs manual configuration
PaaS
  • Swift access to a ready-to-use platform with API integration
  • Host bears the responsibility for keeping up and securing the facilities
  • Steady connection to the web is expected solely
  • Scalable and per-request
  • Limited access to the most important elements
  • Limited powers over the cornerstone facilities, primarily infrastructure servers and internal operations
  • Less custom features
SaaS
  • Easy to install and start using
  • No need to think about any maintenance
  • Access from any place in the world (only the Internet connection is required)
  • Zero control over facilities and safety state of the chosen SaaS platform
  • Integration with third-party applications is not always available
  • Customization – from moderate to zero

Bottom Line 

Leveraging software as a service is an efficient approach. It frees the assets owned by an end user and reduces one's expenses drastically. The single point is to have a clear overview of the project for which you request these external services. Therefore, you have to make a perfect match by saving this info with the comparison of sought-after models. 

If you require further assistance in selecting personalized solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team possesses a vast portfolio that includes cases of bringing multiple IT solutions of different complexity into life. Just share with us your individual preferences and requirements, and get a custom solution in return.