Are you an entrepreneur thinking to take your startup to the next level through cloud services?
Well, every business from small ones to global giants is considering this.
But firstly, you must select the right cloud service for yourself so that you can efficiently use your resources and time to build the desired applications and manage the existing ones. Well, we are here to assist you in doing the same.
We will be discussing the two most popular cloud services, SaaS and PaaS based on their characteristics, advantages, limitations, delivery, and differences.
SaaS full form is Software as a Service, a ready-to-use cloud-based service that can directly be accessed on a web browser. You do not have to make any additional installations or downloads on your system to use SaaS. Your IT team just has to manage the allocation of licenses and share access to designated employees. It is completely managed by a third-party vendor, who ensures automated updates.
PaaS full form is Platform as a Service a cloud computing model that provides a framework using which organizations and developers can use high-end hardware and software tools on the cloud. While using this cloud management service, developers need to focus on building the application without worrying about managing the operating systems, updates, or any other infrastructural requirements.
Although both the cloud computing models might seem similar, SaaS and PaaS difference is mainly based on their characteristics, usage, control, and cost. Let’s check out the differences between SaaS vs PaaS.
Characteristics of SaaS in Cloud Computing
Characteristics of PaaS in Cloud Computing
The major difference is that SaaS only delivers software, whereas PaaS delivers software as well as hardware. On the one hand, where SaaS provides you with a ready-to-use product, PaaS provides you the tool to create unique applications.
Here are the advantages of SaaS and PaaS:
Both the cloud services deliver their respective advantages. SaaS provides a ready-to-use product, whereas PaaS provides a platform where developers can build their own unique apps.
Examples of SaaS
Examples of PaaS
Suggested Read: What is SaaS in Cloud Computing and How It Works
SaaS, being a ready-to-use application, doesn’t require installation or download of additional software. Everything is taken care of by the SaaS vendor such as technical issues, data transfer, storage, required servers, etc. SaaS vendors also take care of upgrades and support that the users require.
Whereas, PaaS provides you a canvas in form of a platform where you can create your own application using the internet. Your developers can collaborate to create an application of their choice with complete freedom to experiment.
Here are the limitations of SaaS and PaaS:
Suggested Read: Top 23 SaaS Companies in India in 2021 That are Going Global
When SaaS and PaaS are compared regarding managed resources:
With SaaS, end-users do not have to manage anything on remises. Third-party vendors manage data, applications, storage, servers, virtualizations, networking, operating systems, and a lot more.
PaaS users need to manage data and applications. Everything else is managed by the PaaS vendor.
| Basis | SaaS | PaaS |
| Stands for | Software as a Service | Platform as a Service |
| Used by | Businesses and end-users | Developers |
| Technical Knowledge | No special technical skills required | Knowledge of the subject and basic setup is required |
| Model | A service model in cloud computing that delivers host software to the end-user. | A cloud computing model that delivers tools for developing applications. |
| Access | Gives access to the end-user | Provides access to run time environment for tools required to develop applications. |
| Delivery | Delivers software over the internet via a third-party vendor | Delivers software and hardware over the internet |
| Supported Device | Web browser and smartphone | Web browser |
| Cost | Pay per user | Pay per usage |
Suggested Read: 10 Best SaaS Tools for Startups and SMBs in 2022
SaaS is best suitable for startups and small enterprises that are looking forward to the best accounting, CRM, HRMS, POS, and other solutions without making an upfront investment. SaaS ensures the simple implementation of applications on your device or can be accessed on any web browser. Your employees can manage SaaS solutions with minimal training. It is great for startups and other small businesses to automate their processes with minimal subscription costs.
If you are looking for great customization options and want multiple developers to work on an application, then definitely you should choose PaaS. This helps project managers in streamlining the app development process and provides great speed and flexibility. PaaS can help you in simplifying some challenges that may come when you start building an application from scratch.
The cloud computing models, SaaS and PaaS serve totally different requirements. If you are a user who wants to use specific software on your web browser, SaaS is the right choice. SaaS allows users to access s software like HRM CRM, Billing, Accounting, etc on the cloud. However, if you are a programmer and you want to develop, deploy and test any software or application on the cloud then PaaS is the right model. In short: SaaS allows users to access software on a cloud while PaaS helps to build software on the cloud.
Suggested Read: How Cloud-Based SaaS Software helping Hotel Industry?
SaaS offers ready-to-use applications for end-users, and you don’t need any special technical knowledge to use it.
PaaS offers you great customizations options as compared to SaaS and allows developers to build creative and unique applications.
Yes, as compared to SaaS, PaaS is less scalable. SaaS can be easily be scaled as per your business requirement.
PaaS full form is Platform as a Service, while SaaS full form is Software as a Service.
PaaS (Platform as a Service) is a cloud computing technology that allows users to develop, test and deploy programs and applications over the internet. Google App Engine, Windows Azure, and AWS Elastic Beanstalk are significant PaaS examples.
Gmail is an email service provider as a SaaS platform. Since users can access Gmail on the web through any device anywhere, it is one of the most common examples of SaaS.
SaaS and PaaS are two entirely different cloud computing technologies used for different purposes. SaaS is a better model if you want to use any software like HR, CRM, or POS on the cloud. The PaaS model allows users to develop, deploy, and test programs and applications on the cloud.
Amazon AWS is one of the most common examples of PaaS. Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure are major PaaS hosting providers.
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