Cloud-Based App vs Web-Based App: Which one should You Choose for Your Business?

The offices in the 1970s were built on paper files, the offices in the 1980s were built on word processing, spreadsheets, and other PC software. These days, the offices are built on cloud-based apps and web-based apps.

Everyone is buzzing about the cloud-based apps and web-based apps in the industry these days. The emergence of these apps has drastically changed the way software companies function. A press release by Gartner stated that the market size for the Cloud Services Industry is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years. By the end of 2019, more than 30% of software investments will shift from cloud-first to cloud-only.

With a number of technologies available in the market today, choosing one for your business is surely a tough call. However, if you know about the features of these apps, then it would be easier for you to select the right apps for meeting your business specifics. Let’s read further to know more on cloud-based vs web-based app and chalk out the major differences between the two. 

What are Cloud-based Apps?

A cloud app is a software application that runs in the cloud. It is a software program in which cloud-based and local components work together using the remote servers. The model relies on these remote servers for processing logic that gets accessed through a web browser with an uninterrupted internet connection. 

Cloud-based apps can provide rich user experience, offline mode, and instant responses to user actions. Just like web applications, it is not required to install cloud apps on the computer. The updates on the app can be done at any time by simply uploading a newer version to the web server. Also, the cloud apps store data in the cloud.

Facts related to Cloud-based Apps

• 90% of the companies are on the cloud today! 

• Amazon Web Services is the leading cloud vendor with a 32% share.

• The US is the most significant public cloud market with an expected spending of $124.6 billion in 2019.

• Cloud data centers will process 94% of workloads in 2021.

 

  
Source

  

Types of Cloud-based Services

Software as a Service (SaaS) 

SaaS is a method of software delivery that allows data to be accessed from any device with an Internet connection and a web browser. In this model, full-functioning applications are provided as technology products/services by the technology vendors. SaaS apps are built mainly to target SMBs, large enterprises, and freelance services providers. 

Popular SaaS examples include HubSpot CRM, Wrike, Freshsales, Sisense, and Wix.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

This type of cloud computing service provides the infrastructure and the computing platform upon which the users can build their own solutions. These apps are used mainly by enterprises that are engaged in the development, testing, collaboration, and deployment of cloud solutions for specific applications. 

Popular PaaS examples include Microsoft Azure, Google App Engine, and Rackspace Cloud Sites.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

This model refers to a totally-outsourced infrastructure service that is rendered through a virtualized interface. The business clients get a pre-configured and built-in software or hardware and it is totally at their discretion how they use these cloud services. 

Popular IaaS apps include IBM Cloud, Amazon WorkSpaces, and Google Cloud.

Technology used

Cloud apps use powerful JavaScript-based frameworks to optimize app performance such as Angular, React.js, and Nodejs. The usage of the apps decides which framework should be chosen.

Cloud apps use database options such as Firebase & local and browser-based options for execution.

Cloud apps use HTML5 offline caching features to be able to perform even without an Internet connection.

Source

What are Web-based Apps?

Web-based apps are software applications that allow the users to interact with a remote server through a web browser interface. The web apps can function on any device that runs on a supported browser and has an active Internet connection. A web app can greatly affect the online presence of your business. That’s why large enterprises these days opt for web app development for scaling their business growth. Moreover, web-based apps can,

• Track the performance records of individual workers
• Manage the passenger or cargo transportation
• Monitor financial processes
• Work with the payroll
• Control the workflow of individual staff members and project groups

  
Source

Types of Web-based Apps

Static web apps

Static apps are web apps that are not flexible and are built using CSS and HTML.

Examples of static web apps include digital curriculums and professional portfolios, etc.

Dynamic web apps 

Dynamic web apps are client-server solutions that run in a web browser and exhibit varied content every time the user accesses. The most common languages used for these ASP and PHP are some of the most common languages that are used for creating dynamic web applications. You can also hire PHP developer for building static apps like these for meeting your business needs.

Examples of dynamic web apps include Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Amazon, etc.

Portal web apps

This refers to web-based apps where the users can access and use the categories or sections of a home page. These functions are as good as dynamic web apps.

Examples of Portal web apps include web browsers, email, chats, forums, etc.

Apps with CMS 

These are web apps with continuously updated content. These have a CMS administrator which has authorized access to implement updates and changes in the app. 

Examples of CMS apps include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, etc. 

E-commerce or online store

These include eCommerce apps that have multiple features embedded in them like electronic payment to support online shopping.

Examples of eCommerce apps include Shopify, 3dcart, Volution, and Bigcommerce, etc.

Animated web apps

Animated apps are apps that are used by creative agencies and freelancers to present their creativity. 

Examples of animated web apps that are created by developers using CSS animations and transitions include WebGL or JavaScript.

Technology used

Web apps are built using web technologies and powerful back-end languages ​​such as Python, PHP, Laravel, Ruby, and .NET. You can also hire dedicated Laravel developer for creating highly responsive web apps with improved performance.

Web apps use remote databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and so on. 

JS and its frameworks like JSON, JQuery, and AJAX are used by the web apps to improve the user experience on the front-end.

Cloud-based app vs Web-based app- What are the Major Differences?

 

You can study the table below to get detailed information on Cloud-based app vs Web-based app. There is a very thin line difference between the two. These differences will help you to decide which one should you choose for your next project. You can hire developers that can help in selecting the right technology stack for desired business applications.

Good Read: How to Choose Your Software Development Team?

Wrapping it All

After reading this blog on Cloud-based app vs Web-based app, I am sure that you would have certainly analyzed the advantages of using these for your project. Choosing a cloud-based app or web-based app depends on the type of functionality and scalability of the app that you desire to make. 

“In the information age, an app can generate such a high income which even a factory cannot generate. It can make money for you while you are asleep. ” – Wealth of Words

A high-performing app helps to keep your users engaged. So, choosing the right technology for building business apps is essential to improve sales profits and boost your business growth.