The SaaS, Cloud & the difference that you must know?

Avika Dixit
5 min readAug 16, 2022

--

Saas is a subset of Cloud. Similar to how a topping is a part of a pizza base, SaaS is of the cloud.
Saas and the Cloud.

SaaS and Cloud are not tiring concepts to grasp. You don’t have to burn candles at both ends to understand what SaaS and the cloud represent. And if the complexity of these concepts is still overwhelming you, don’t worry; this blog is here to help.

Here is the oversimplified explanation of SaaS, Cloud, and the difference you must know.

As we read:

What is SaaS?

Full form of Saas is Software as a Service
Full form of SaaS.

Full form of SaaS — Software as a Service

SaaS definition:

SaaS is a model for web-based applications and it ensures that downloading and installing the application should not be a prerequisite term.

SaaS enables users to access apps online, whenever they want, from any location, without having to actually save or install them. SaaS applications operate on the SaaS provider’s web server, and the provider manages access to the application.

SaaS majorly runs on the freemium plus subscription model. In freemium mode, users get access to basic services, and if they subscribe, they get more advanced features.

SaaS is also known as

  • Web-based software
  • On-demand software
  • Hosted software

What is a SaaS company?

A SaaS company produces, publishes, and provides the SaaS application to the customer. Examples of SaaS companies are google,micorsoft, salesforce, hubspot, cosco.
Examples of SaaS companies.

A SaaS company produces, distributes, and offers the SaaS application to the customer.

What is a SaaS application?

SaaS application is a service provided by SaaS companies. Examples of Saas apllications are netflix, zoom, slack, canva, shopify.
Examples of Saas based applications.

SaaS application is a service provided by SaaS companies.

How does SaaS application work?

In the SaaS model, a software provider will either host the application or function as an independent software provider (ISV) and sell its software. But the working of the SaaS application for the end user remains the same.

SaaS solutions are offered primarily to B2B, B2C, or both markets.

SaaS services use a multitenant strategy to provide service to their clients. Due to the multitenant paradigm, SaaS applications operate on a single server, or the host server, with several subscribers using the same server but still, data remains segregated. And since we all use social media, we know how it works.

You can create your account with a SaaS application in 3 simple steps.

Enter the SaaS application name on the search page
  • Enter the SaaS application name on the search page
You can create your account with a SaaS application in 3 simple steps.   First,Enter the SaaS application name on the search page  Second, Open the SaaS application
Open the SaaS application
  • Open the SaaS application
You can create your account with a SaaS application in 3 simple steps.   First, Enter the SaaS application name on the search page  Second, Open the SaaS application  Third, And sign up with your name and email details.
Create an account
  • And sign up with your name and email details.
After signing up for an account on a SaaS application, you can continue using the Saas application.
Your Saas application is ready to use.

As aforementioned, after you sign up for an account, you will have access to basic SaaS application functionality (freemium mode). You must pay certain expenses before you can access advanced services.

What is Cloud?

Cloud is a global network of servers acting as one giant hard drive with unlimited storage capacity.

Cloud definition-

What is Cloud? In simple terms, the cloud is the server where databases are stored digitally. It is like having an extra drive.
What is Cloud?

In simple terms, the cloud is the server where databases are stored digitally. It is like having an extra drive. A software or database is present on the server because of the cloud. Anything that can be accessed or saved digitally is because of the cloud.

Cloud enables users to access the same files and accounts from almost any device because the computing and storage take place on servers in the data center. Like how you can access your Instagram account from a friend’s phone.

When something is in the cloud, it is stored on the internet, and accessed via the internet.

A cloud might be private or public. A public cloud is available to anybody, but for a private cloud, the host restricts access to a limited number of individuals.

Before cloud computing, businesses had to purchase and maintain their servers to meet business demands.

How does the cloud work?

The working of cloud services is categorized into two broad categories.

  • Cloud computing
  • Cloud storage

What is cloud computing?

Computing is using computers for undertaking any operation.

Cloud computing in simple terms is the on-demand access to the server via a device and the internet.

Cloud computing is possible due to cloud storage. You require storage to run software or display data on a cloud server.

Examples of cloud computing are Google Drive, iCloud, etc.

What is cloud storage?

Storage allows you to retain the data.

Cloud storage is storing data online that can be accessed only via the internet.

Cloud storage is only possible if you have internet ingress to the server, i.e., via cloud computing.

Examples of cloud storage are Google Docs, Instagram, iChat, etc.

What is the difference between SaaS and cloud computing?

A part of cloud computing is SaaS. SaaS is one of the many internet-based services that may be accessed through cloud computing.

What is a SaaS-based application?

SaaS-based applications run on browsers and are hosted on clouds. SaaS is one kind of service. Saas is part of cloud computing.
SaaS is a part of Cloud computing.

SaaS-based applications run on browsers and are hosted on clouds. SaaS is one kind of service.

What are cloud-based applications?

Cloud-based applications include all SaaS, Iaas, and Paas applications. In short, any application/service that requires the internet to operate is known as cloud-based.
Cloud computing include different services

Cloud-based applications include all SaaS, Iaas, and Paas applications. In short, any application/service that requires the internet to operate is known as cloud-based.

Conclusion-

Similar to how a topping is a part of a pizza base, SaaS is of the cloud.

We use Saas and Cloud every time we connect our devices to the internet. It’s as easy and regular. Once you know the basics of Saas and the Cloud, you can march forward to learn more about SaaS and Cloud characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

And who said you required jumping hoops to get the answer of Saas, Cloud, and the difference? The trick is to learn with a linear approach.

Pretty basic, right?

--

--

Avika Dixit
Avika Dixit

Written by Avika Dixit

Product-led content writer for B2B Saas and Fintech brands.

No responses yet