The terms “web-based app” and “cloud-based app” are often used interchangeably. Yet, they are quite different. Understanding what sets them apart can help you make informed decisions when choosing software or IT infrastructure solutions that suit your needs.
This article walks you through a detailed web-based vs. cloud-based comparison so you can know which option is right for your organization.
A web-based application is a software solution that’s accessible via web browsers like Google Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. You can use the app on any device connected to the internet without needing to install the software locally.
Web-based applications, also called web apps, are super convenient because you can access them online anytime, anywhere. Their functionality is based on web technologies like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Common types of web apps include:
Cloud applications are software solutions that run and store data on remote cloud servers. These servers may be owned by providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure.
Similar to web applications, you can access cloud-based apps over the internet without installing them locally on your device.
You can access cloud-based software not just through a browser (like in traditional web-based apps), but also by launching a downloaded app on your device (smartphone, laptop, desktop, or tablet) that connects to the cloud service. This is one of the key differences in a cloud-based vs. web-based software comparison.
The main types of cloud applications include:
Cloud-based application vs web application: What’s the difference? Here’s a detailed comparison:
Web applications that don’t run in the cloud operate on an on-premise server owned by the developer or user. This gives you full control of the IT infrastructure and ensures sensitive data remains within your own physical location. However, setting up an in-house data center or server can be costly.
Cloud-based applications, on the other hand, run on a third-party remote server managed by cloud providers like Google Cloud. In other words, the server is off-premise — meaning you don’t invest in building infrastructure. Also, the high flexibility of the cloud environment makes it suitable for scalable enterprise tools.
Traditional web-based applications are accessible through a web browser only. Meanwhile, you can access cloud-based software via web browser or dedicated app installed on any device (mobile, desktop, and tablet) with an internet connection.
If web-based software is hosted on just one or a few servers, access may be limited based on the user’s geographic location.
Cloud-based solutions don’t have this disadvantage since cloud servers are often distributed worldwide, making them easily accessible from anywhere. Plus, as an app owner or developer, you can choose where to deploy your applications to optimize uptime and how fast users can access your solutions.
Web-based applications are built with technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Once they’re ready, they’re usually deployed on a platform like a local server or an in-house hosting setup. The downside is that scaling can be tricky — if app usage increases, for example, you may have to make adjustments to the whole infrastructure to keep up with the emerging needs.
On the other hand, cloud-based solutions are developed with cloud-native principles in mind. You can deploy them in one of the following cloud infrastructures:
Web-based apps are not tailored to a particular operating system. They tend to offer the same experience whether you’re using Windows, Android, or iOS because they run in a web browser.
However, they may not be as fast or responsive as native apps, which are designed specifically for a particular operating system and used to access cloud-based solutions.
Reputable cloud providers take responsibility for the security of the cloud infrastructure. For instance, they offer secure-by-default configurations, access controls, and advanced data protection features to keep your data or tools safe. How secure a web-based app is depends on the security protocols you implement.
The initial development cost of web-based apps can be lower than cloud apps because the technology for making them is pretty standard. But the costs of ongoing server maintenance and scaling on-premise infrastructure can quickly add up.
Cloud-based solutions are more expensive to develop from scratch. With most cloud solutions, however, you only pay for what you use at the moment. As a result, scaling up (or down) is easy without committing to large upfront costs.
Cloud-based solutions generally offer more customization options than web-based applications because of their inherent flexibility and integration capabilities.
Many web apps that aren’t cloud-based prioritize simple and intuitive interfaces. While this is a good thing, it can sometimes limit the extent of customization available to end-users.
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