What is the Difference Between SaaS and Cloud SaaS?
Software as a Service (SaaS) and Cloud SaaS are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Though both involve the delivery of software over the internet, they have some distinct differences. Understanding the difference between SaaS and Cloud SaaS can help you make the right choice when deciding which type of service to use for your business.
What is SaaS?
Software as a Service (SaaS) is a software delivery model in which software is made available over the internet on a subscription basis. It is usually hosted in the cloud, meaning that customers don’t need to download or install anything on their computers. All they need is an internet connection and a web browser to access the SaaS application.
SaaS applications are usually offered on a pay-as-you-go basis, where customers pay for the features and services they need on an ongoing basis. This makes SaaS a cost-effective option for businesses, as they don’t need to invest in expensive hardware or software upfront.
What is Cloud SaaS?
Cloud SaaS is a type of SaaS that is hosted and managed by a cloud hosting provider. Unlike traditional SaaS applications, Cloud SaaS applications are hosted on the cloud provider’s servers, which means that customers don’t need to worry about hardware or software installation and maintenance.
Cloud SaaS applications are usually highly scalable, meaning that customers can quickly and easily add or remove features or services as their needs change. This makes Cloud SaaS a great option for businesses that want to quickly scale up or down their software needs.
The Differences Between SaaS and Cloud SaaS
Though SaaS and Cloud SaaS both involve the delivery of software over the internet, there are some distinct differences between the two:
- Hosting: SaaS applications are usually hosted on the customer’s own servers, while Cloud SaaS applications are hosted and managed by the cloud hosting provider.
- Maintenance: With SaaS, customers are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the software, while with Cloud SaaS, the cloud hosting provider takes care of the maintenance and upkeep.
- Scalability: SaaS applications are usually limited in terms of scalability, while Cloud SaaS applications are highly scalable.
- Cost: SaaS applications usually require upfront cost for hardware and software, while Cloud SaaS applications are usually pay-as-you-go.
Conclusion
Software as a Service (SaaS) and Cloud SaaS are both software delivery models, but they have some distinct differences. SaaS applications are usually hosted on the customer’s own servers, while Cloud SaaS applications are hosted and managed by the cloud hosting provider. SaaS applications are usually limited in terms of scalability and require upfront cost for hardware and software, while Cloud SaaS applications are highly scalable and usually pay-as-you-go.
Understanding the differences between SaaS and Cloud SaaS can help you make the right choice when deciding which type of service to use for your business.