SaaS vs PaaS

With the growth of people using the internet on a daily basis to fulfil their needs,Businesses all across the world are shifting their services from traditional physical sites to cloud-based services to be available online for their customers.

For e-commerce companies to be shifting their businesses onto the cloud, they need to become familiar with the two types of cloud computing available today: SaaS vs PaaS.

What is SaaS?

SaaS or software as a service allows users  to connect to and utilise cloud-based services via the web for a monthly subscription price, meanwhile the cloud service provider is in charge of managing all aspects of this application. Huge use case examples as a product can be Email in the form of Gmail provided by Google or storage in the form of Google drive also provided by Google. Hence, SaaS operates using the cloud delivery model. Any device with a steady network connection can access the application typically via web browsers.

SaaS Advantages

• No need to install any application on your device. Everything is available online from anywhere and anytime just with a stable internet connection you’re ready to access.
• You are given a fixed monthly subscription fee that is not subject to change.
• No need for a full IT team of specialists, as you don’t need to download and install any application, the Cloud handles everything.

What is PaaS?

PaaS, or platform as a service, enables developers to manage the apps and services they develop while leaving everything else to the cloud service provider. PaaS can somewhat replace a company’s IT team, but not completely. The company needs to provide data and the application, while it incorporates various cloud infrastructure components like operating systems, servers, databases etc. operated by the service provider. Force.com, Google App Engine, Heroku, and OpenShift are a few PaaS examples.

PaaS Advantages

• Saving the developers' time and money; they don't need to go back to square one, they are provided with a platform to develop unique software solutions
• Sharing responsibilities; the provider is in charge of for the most part, but the developer is given freedom to develop unique applications.

The key difference between SaaS vs PaaS

Having a solid understanding of the terms SaaS and PaaS, it’s also important to state the key differences between these two cloud computing categories. SaaS and PaaS are two modern but diverse approaches to defining how to use the cloud for business. Let’s compare and contrast them: SaaS vs PaaS.

• The types of users gained by SaaS and PaaS differ; PaaS users are mostly developers, whereas SaaS users do not have to be.
• In PaaS, users/developers control the software and data, whereas in SaaS, a third party manages all of the requirements.
  PaaS can be hosted anywhere within the developer's system, whereas SAAS is hosted by a third-party provider on a distant server.
• In PaaS, the application is built and developed by the developer/user, whereas in SaaS, you just need to download and access it.
• Maintenance, security and all the regulations are incorporated into the cost of SaaS, whereas, in PaaS, each type of service has its own separate costs.
• While PaaS can be run by developers who have little knowledge or experience in the field, SaaS doesn’t require knowledge or experience at all.
• In PaaS, developers tend to use the same standards, whereas, in SaaS vendors may have different standards that can be misleading for users.
• In case of any error, in SaaS, the service provider is in charge of solving the issue, whereas, in PaaS, the developer is responsible for having the application run smoothly