Cloud-Native versus Cloud-Hosted Software: What's the Difference?

The Benefits of Cloud-Native Software Over Cloud-Hosted Software

The shift to cloud computing has dramatically transformed the way software is developed, deployed, and maintained. As more businesses move their software to the cloud, a significant debate has emerged: should you adopt cloud-native software, or is cloud-hosted software good enough? While both options offer the benefits of cloud infrastructure, cloud-native software development stands out for its ability to fully harness the power of the cloud.

In this blog post, we'll explore the fundamental differences between cloud-native and cloud-hosted software and discuss why cloud-native software offers a superior path to agility, scalability, cost efficiency, and more.

What Is Cloud-Native Software?

Cloud-native software applications are specifically designed to operate in a cloud environment. These applications are developed taking advantage of cloud technology including microservices, containers, serverless functions, that help deliver cloud-performance.

What is Cloud-Hosted Software?

Cloud-hosted software involves taking traditional, on-premises software and deploying it to a cloud server for hosting. The software itself is not specifically designed for the cloud so the functionality and performance remain the same.

Why Cloud-Native Development is the Better Choice

While cloud-hosted software can provide some benefits, it falls short in fully utilizing the capabilities in the cloud. Here are four key reasons why cloud-native software has major advantages over cloud-hosted solutions.

1. Scalability
   Cloud-native applications are designed to be inherently scalable. Built on microservices and containers, these applications can scale individual components up or down based on demand. This means you don't have to over-provision resources, saving costs and ensuring your application can handle volume spikes seamlessly.
   
   In contrast, cloud-hosted software relies on a monolithic architecture, where scaling involves increasing resources for the entire server, leading to inefficiencies and higher costs.
   
   
2. Cost Efficiency
   One of the greatest advantages of cloud-native software is its cost-effectiveness. By leveraging serverless technologies and auto-scaling, you only pay for the resources you actually use. This approach reduces waste and ensures that your infrastructure expenses align with your application's needs. It also minimizes energy usage and carbon footprint by leveraging shared resources and highly efficient data centers.
   
   Cloud-hosted software, on the other hand, tends to involve fixed resource allocations, which means you're paying for server capacity even when it's not fully utilized. This inefficiency can lead to unnecessary expenses that cloud-native solutions can avoid.
   
   
3. Resilience
   Resilience and uptime are critical to business continuity. Cloud-native applications are designed to be fault-tolerant, with built-in redundancy and failover mechanisms. If one service fails, it doesn't take down the entire system; other services continue to function independently.
   
   In contrast, cloud-hosted software has a more centralized structure, meaning a failure in one part of the system can affect the entire application. This approach lacks the built-in resilience that comes with cloud-native architectures.
   
   
4. Enhanced Innovation and Flexibility
   Cloud-native software provides a platform for innovation by allowing faster enhancements and updates, all without major infrastructure changes or IT. The flexibility also helps t streamline the onboarding of new clients and jobs faster and with fewer resources.
   On the other hand, cloud-hosted software is limited in its ability to adopt new technologies easily. The rigid architecture makes it harder to incorporate rapid innovations, which could put your business at a disadvantage.
   
   

Conclusion

The debate between cloud-native software and cloud-hosted software comes down to how much you want to leverage the full potential of the cloud. While cloud-hosted software is a step in the right direction, it doesn't fully unlock the benefits of cloud computing. Cloud-native software development, with its focus on scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, and resilience, is the clear winner for businesses aiming to stay ahead in a fast-paced digital landscape.

If you're looking to invest in software that not only meets today’s demands but also adapts and grows with tomorrow’s technologies, cloud-native software is the way to go. Embrace the cloud-native approach, and transform your business with greater speed, efficiency, and innovation. Discover the difference in cloud-native software from BlueCrest.