SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS: What Are the Differences & What to Know

TagoIO Team

SaaS PaaS IaaS

As cloud computing has become more popular, new types of services are becoming more readily available. SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), and IaaS (infrastructure as a service) are the three main types of cloud computing services that businesses use today. Though they are all cloud services, each one differs and complements the others. Let’s understand their differences.

SaaS PaaS IaaS pyramid

SaaS (Software as a Service)

SaaS is a type of cloud computing that delivers software applications over the internet. Companies usually design Saas for end-users, and as such, they are quite user-friendly with features like a Graphical User Interface. There are many examples of SaaS solutions in our daily life, like Google Docs, Dropbox, and Slack.

With SaaS, businesses can access the software via the internet instead of purchasing and installing software on individual computers. Consequently, this eliminates the cost and hassle of purchasing and maintaining software licenses and allows for greater flexibility and scalability. As employees can log into their accounts from any device with internet access, there is no need for syncing or transferring files between computers. In addition, the subscription model of SaaS allows businesses to easily increase or decrease their allocated resources as needed. For companies looking to streamline their operations and improve efficiency, SaaS-based solutions are worth exploring.

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

In today’s increasingly digital world, companies need to adapt quickly and stay on top of the latest technology. One solution for keeping up with these changes is by using a Platform as a Service. PaaS enables system developers to develop and deploy applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. This can save time and resources, allowing businesses to focus on their core competencies rather than keeping up with changing technology needs.

Additionally, PaaS offers scalability, as companies can easily add or remove components based on their current requirements. With PaaS, businesses can stay ahead of the game and compete in an ever-evolving technological environment.

IoT kickstarter


Some examples of PaaS providers are Heroku, SAP Business Technology Cloud, and TagoIO. TagoIO’s Kickstarter is a good example of how PaaS can not only save you money but also accelerate your development. With TagoIO’s Kickstarter, you have ready-to-go IoT applications which you can fully customize to the exact way you want them to be.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

When it comes to managing your company’s technology infrastructure, there are more cost-efficient solutions than buying all your hardware and building a server. One of those options is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Rather than purchasing and maintaining your own server hardware and network equipment, with IaaS, you can rent this infrastructure from a third-party provider that is accessed via the internet. This allows for increased scalability, as you have the flexibility to easily add or remove resources as needed.

Additionally, IaaS typically offers higher levels of security and reliability, as experienced professionals will be the ones who manage and maintain the infrastructure. As companies increasingly rely on technology for day-to-day operations, IaaS can be a cost-effective solution for managing your infrastructure needs. IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

In conclusion

The cloud is a vast and ever-growing entity, with new services and terminology being created all the time. Furthermore, it’s important to understand the differences between these three types of cloud services if you ever need them. As expected, most PaaS build their applications on an IaaS system, and the majority of SaaS applications are built on a PaaS or an IaaS system.

As cloud computing has become more popular, new types of services are becoming more readily available. SaaS (software as a service), PaaS (platform as a service), and IaaS (infrastructure as a service) are the three main types of cloud computing services that businesses use today. Though they are all cloud services, each one differs and complements the others. Let’s understand their differences.

SaaS PaaS IaaS pyramid

SaaS (Software as a Service)

SaaS is a type of cloud computing that delivers software applications over the internet. Companies usually design Saas for end-users, and as such, they are quite user-friendly with features like a Graphical User Interface. There are many examples of SaaS solutions in our daily life, like Google Docs, Dropbox, and Slack.

With SaaS, businesses can access the software via the internet instead of purchasing and installing software on individual computers. Consequently, this eliminates the cost and hassle of purchasing and maintaining software licenses and allows for greater flexibility and scalability. As employees can log into their accounts from any device with internet access, there is no need for syncing or transferring files between computers. In addition, the subscription model of SaaS allows businesses to easily increase or decrease their allocated resources as needed. For companies looking to streamline their operations and improve efficiency, SaaS-based solutions are worth exploring.

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

In today’s increasingly digital world, companies need to adapt quickly and stay on top of the latest technology. One solution for keeping up with these changes is by using a Platform as a Service. PaaS enables system developers to develop and deploy applications without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. This can save time and resources, allowing businesses to focus on their core competencies rather than keeping up with changing technology needs.

Additionally, PaaS offers scalability, as companies can easily add or remove components based on their current requirements. With PaaS, businesses can stay ahead of the game and compete in an ever-evolving technological environment.

IoT kickstarter


Some examples of PaaS providers are Heroku, SAP Business Technology Cloud, and TagoIO. TagoIO’s Kickstarter is a good example of how PaaS can not only save you money but also accelerate your development. With TagoIO’s Kickstarter, you have ready-to-go IoT applications which you can fully customize to the exact way you want them to be.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

When it comes to managing your company’s technology infrastructure, there are more cost-efficient solutions than buying all your hardware and building a server. One of those options is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Rather than purchasing and maintaining your own server hardware and network equipment, with IaaS, you can rent this infrastructure from a third-party provider that is accessed via the internet. This allows for increased scalability, as you have the flexibility to easily add or remove resources as needed.

Additionally, IaaS typically offers higher levels of security and reliability, as experienced professionals will be the ones who manage and maintain the infrastructure. As companies increasingly rely on technology for day-to-day operations, IaaS can be a cost-effective solution for managing your infrastructure needs. IaaS providers include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

In conclusion

The cloud is a vast and ever-growing entity, with new services and terminology being created all the time. Furthermore, it’s important to understand the differences between these three types of cloud services if you ever need them. As expected, most PaaS build their applications on an IaaS system, and the majority of SaaS applications are built on a PaaS or an IaaS system.

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