SaaS (Software as a Service)
This allows businesses to use software applications over the internet. For example, instead of installing software on individual computers, employees can access it through a web browser. This simplifies maintenance and updates, and scales easily with the company’s needs.
- Definition: Provides software applications over the internet on a subscription basis.
- Services: Email, collaboration tools, business applications.
- Examples: Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, Google Workspace.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Provides a platform for developers to create applications without worrying about underlying infrastructure. It offers a framework that developers can build upon, like operating systems, databases, and development tools, speeding up the development process.
- Definition: Delivers hardware and software tools over the internet, primarily for application development.
- Services: Application hosting, development frameworks.
- Examples: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Service, AWS Elastic Beanstalk.
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Offers virtualized computing resources over the internet. Businesses can rent servers, storage, and networking resources on a pay-as-you-go basis, scaling up or down based on demand without investing in physical hardware.
- Definition: Provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
- Services: Virtual machines, storage, and networks.
- Examples: AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, Azure Virtual Machines.