What is Mobile App Hosting? 10 Main Principles of Mobile Hosting and 5 Benefits
Infrastructure
25.06.2021
11 min read
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Do you have an app that you need to host, but you don’t know how hosting works and why you need it? Want to know what mobile App hosting is? In this article we’ll discuss hosting for mobile apps in detail and give practical advice on how to choose the best one. Read the article to find out what mobile App hosting is and how to connect it correctly.
Is hosting for a mobile app really necessary? Or you can do without it? Do you need a domain for an iOS app? How much will it cost? Struggling with the answers to these questions? Well, stick around and we’ll get it all sorted out.
After reading this, you’ll know where software, applications, and files are located in the computing world, how they work, and how to bring a mobile application to a large audience at a reasonable price.
What is app hosting?
Hosting is a duet of hardware and software platforms on which websites and applications run.
The simplest way to understand how hosting for mobile apps works is to imagine a computer (called a server) containing an application’s files, which is always on and makes the app or any information in it accessible to developers and users 24/7. That’s it.
Basically, programmers write code, create databases, connect all the necessary components, and then upload them to the server of their choice. Thereafter, the app becomes available for everyone who installs it or accesses it via a web browser.
Does your app need hosting?
It depends on what you want to get from the application and how it is structured. For example, if you’ve created some sort of task manager that can be launched independently on a user’s phone or tablet, you don’t have to host it on any kind of server. But what if you want to synchronize data from the app between different devices? Or create a large-scale service with remote access to an extensive media collection (like Spotify or Netflix)? Then you need a server where all the data will be stored.
The operating system doesn’t matter. If you are here reading this because you can't decide whether Android apps need to be hosted or not, the above answer applies. The same goes for apps for iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. The only exception is web applications.
Does an app need a website?
Technically, no. A mobile app can operate without a website, so it’s up to you whether to create one or do without.
Usually, you need some kind of web page to serve as the place where your terms of use and privacy policy are kept.
You can also use a website for marketing and SEO purposes. Create a simple landing page with more info on your application and containing relevant keywords that will help people find your app using search engines.
And what does an app need to connect to a website? Nothing. They can exist independently. And there’s no reason to bind them.
Does an app need a domain?
It depends on whether the app is going to work with different types of requests like a website, such as GET and POST, used to transfer information to and from users. If that’s the case, the answer to the question is: “Yes, the app needs a domain.”
Okay, there is actually a way to handle requests using IP addresses, but then the webmaster has to buy a static IP, which is as pricey as a proper DNS setup. That’s why webmasters recommend using services like dyn.com. Because even mobile apps need a domain.
How are mobile apps usually hosted?
For the most part, like websites. They are hosted on remote servers which are administered by hosting providers. For example, DigitalOcean is a provider. It has a data center with a vast array of powerful servers, which it allows app makers to use on various terms.
What kind of terms? Let’s take a closer look and compare different ways of hosting software with different companies.
Types of servers
Here we answer the question: “Where are applications hosted?” Every mobile service or program consists of a series of files, and these files must be stored somewhere so that users can work with them.
You have four common options to choose from. If you’ve ever hosted a website, you already know at least three of them. If not, you’ll learn them all now.
Shared
A shared server (or virtual hosting) is a predetermined amount of processor power and hard drive space for storing your app’s files. A shared server is always on and powers your program.
The main advantages of this kind of hosting are low pricing and an easy setup process. The main disadvantages are limited performance and a lot of technical restrictions.
This option is appropriate if you’re going to host an application that requires few system resources and won’t unexpectedly take off and expand.
VPS
A virtual private server (VPS) is a fully functional virtual machine that imitates real computer capabilities. You can install any operating system on a VPS, use it with any software tools and utilities you find necessary, etc.
A VPS is partially managed by the hosting provider (who usually optimizes the server to achieve the expected performance). But everything else is on the “tenant,” who pays for the VDS and stores the files of their software product there.
A VPS is a balanced choice between shared and dedicated servers. It offers more power and control, and is not as expensive as a dedicated server.
Dedicated
This is a real computer — a physical server that is located somewhere in the provider’s data center and belongs to you (as long as you pay, of course). It can be used for creating and hosting an application of any kind without software limitations. A dedicated server is a great choice for those who are eager to achieve maximal compatibility, stability, and performance, and are willing to pay for it.
Cloud Clusters
In a nutshell, a cloud cluster is like a large group of VDSs (virtual dedicated server). A cloud cluster is a big stack of virtual servers that are located on different physical servers and sometimes even in different countries. A cloud cluster can be seen as an extensive infrastructure that is constantly scaling to meet the application’s requirements. The more people use the app, the more hardware resources are allocated to the cluster.
This is the best choice for those who create an enormous web service and want to be ready to ramp up the customer base at any moment. Products like Spotify, Telegram, Facebook, and thousands of others run on these types of servers.
Methods of hosting
We’ve discussed different types of servers. Let’s discuss what an app hosting service is and what kinds of services we have to choose from.
IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service. With this type of hosting, you gain full control of a server and must set it up on your own. The provider provides the hardware and a webmaster has to initialize the OS, build the database, connect the domain, etc.
It's a little like owning a car. The driver can drive it wherever and however they want. But at the same time the driver is solely responsible for maintaining, fueling, and repairing the car.
VDS and dedicated servers fall under the category of IaaS.
PaaS
Platform as a Service implies a hosting provider to set up the hardware, operating system, database, and basic software in advance. All you have to do is upload your files and sort them all out so that the app can function as expected.
Let’s return to our car example. PaaS is like car sharing. Under this model drivers have certain limitations. They can’t leave the city, can’t change any part of the cars, and can’t park them in their own garages, but these drivers spend much less time and money on car ownership.
This is how shared servers and cloud clusters work, and these can be categorized as PaaS.
This is usually the best hosting method for most apps. Developers can concentrate on their primary tasks, while the PaaS does the rest.
SaaS
Software as a Service. This is actually an app — a functional product that helps to achieve the user’s aims without setting anything up.
Once again, using the car example, SaaS is like Uber. You do nothing with the car itself. The hired driver will get you from point A to point B. Responsibility for maintenance, repairs, fueling, and anything else lies either with the driver or with the service administrators.
Some cloud clusters work this way, providing access to software but giving no access to its internal workings.
How are mobile apps hosted?
There are two popular solutions:
You can rent a full-fledged server from Amazon Web Services or DigitalOcean and deploy your application there by yourself — install all the essential tools and utilities, set up a domain, optimize it, etc.
Or you can use hosting platforms like Hostman or Heroku. These are PaaS products that let development teams work on the app and forget all about deployment. Just two or three clicks, and your project is on the World Wide Web.
Using PaaS, any webmaster can quickly and easily host the frontend and backend of their project. With Hostman, you only need to connect a repository to the service, select the frameworks or coding languages, build your app, and deploy it. Hostman will give you a domain, an SSL certificate, and anything else needed.
What hosting services do well-known companies choose?
How much do you know about Amazon? You’re probably aware that it is the world’s biggest web marketplace. But it’s also the biggest web hosting provider on the planet. AWS (a sub-brand of Amazon) is used by many major corporations and developers around the globe.
So if you ask where Facebook applications are hosted, the answer would be AWS. If you ask where Appian apps are hosted, the answer would be the same — AWS. The same is true for lots of big companies, including Apple, Snapchat, etc.
But that doesn’t mean you should rush right out to rent an AWS server. Facebook’s choice of hosting is based on the nature of its products. They are gigantic. Billions of people all over the world use WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook itself. There’s no way that the company could get by using ordinary servers. They need some hefty cloud clusters to make those Social media giants run smoothly and be available for everyone whatever the circumstances. For smaller apps, however, there are much cheaper and simpler solutions.
How to choose the best hosting for mobile apps?
What hosting method is best for mobile apps? The choice depends entirely on the task and the software instruments used. If you want to have full control of the server and the app, you’ll want to check out some popular hosting providers. Where are the best apps hosted? They are usually hosted on platforms like DigitalOcean, AWS, Microsoft Azure, or another “classic” server with appropriate specifications.
For instance, these will provide you with SSL certificates (a utility that encrypts user data) and access to DNS settings. Furthermore, every webmaster should check the uptime of their hosting service. Best-in-class servers have an uptime of 99%. Furthermore, good hosting services have a security system that mitigates DDoS attacks and blocks malware. And, of course, the cost of hosting your application needs to be a good value.
Additionally, you should look for providers that support the software tools and frameworks used in your project. For example, Hostman works with React, Angular, Node.js, Python, Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, etc. So if you have a question like “How do I host a React app?” the answer depends on the capabilities of the platform selected. Check them out before renting a server or cluster.
The best choice is to use PaaS products like Hostman or Heroku. Both use the most reliable infrastructures like Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure, but at the same time they simplify the deployment process, so you get the best of both worlds.
How much does it cost to host an app?
A basic server with a hosting service like DigitalOcean will cost about $5 per month. For this price the developer or webmaster will get a server with 1 GB of RAM, 25 GB of SSD storage, and the ability to transfer 1000 GB of data per month. For the same price, you can get an automatically scaled app platform with no static hardware specifications.
If you want a more predictable pricing system and are wondering where to find one, try Hostman. With this service you can choose a budget server for basic applications with one 3.2 GHz CPU, 1 GB of RAM, and 25 GB of SSD storage for $5.50. Or you can get a powerful platform with six 3.2 GHz CPUs, 16 GB of RAM, and 320 GB on the fastest SSD for $72.80.
The final price may vary depending on the user base and hardware requirements of the product. But by using platforms like Hostman you will consistently get the best possible value, balanced between simplicity, stability, high performance, and reasonable price.
That’s it. Now you know whether an app maker needs a domain or not, how to choose hosting for a mobile application, and the most straightforward way to set it all up.
Infrastructure
25.06.2021
11 min read
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Infrastructure
What Is a Virtual Data Center (vDC): Its Capabilities and Purpose
Virtual Data Center is infrastructure resources in the “cloud” allocated for business needs. Physically, the equipment is located in traditional data centers. The provider rents it out using virtualized space.
A virtual data center (vDC) can be managed from anywhere in the world via a console. At the same time, the flexibility of such a solution is higher than that of a traditional data center. There are also advantages in terms of cost efficiency, scalability, and security, which we will discuss below.
Virtualization Layers
A virtual data center is a multi-layered system, where virtualization is applied at each level. There are five main layers:
Network. Virtualization allows configuring communication between multiple servers to build a unified infrastructure.
Storage. Administrators manage file placement at this level, which is convenient even if the data is stored on different devices.
Resources. Virtualization enables flexible adjustment of available computing power, changing resource usage based on business needs.
Applications. Virtualization solves compatibility issues, allowing applications to run independently of the host operating system.
Access. User rights management, for example, for remote system access.
These layers are interdependent. A virtual data center operates correctly only if interactions between the layers are properly configured.
vDC Capabilities
The main advantage of a virtual data center is the ability to quickly scale resources up or down, allowing businesses to address various tasks without contacting the service provider. Other important capabilities include:
Data protection. Storing information in a vDC significantly reduces the risk of data loss, especially when backups are properly configured and geographically distributed.
Disaster recovery. With a simple and fast backup system, the infrastructure can be restored within minutes.
Flexibility. IT teams can automate routine tasks, quickly implement and test new systems and features.
Reliability. Providers use high-performance equipment and maintain the physical infrastructure of the vDC.
Control. All monitoring and management tools are available to the customer who ordered and paid for the resources.
Cost savings on hardware. There is no need to buy, configure, or maintain physical equipment; the provider handles this. Customers pay only for the resources they use.
Another important aspect is the availability of different billing models. Customers can either pay a fixed monthly amount for allocated resources or only for the resources actually consumed. Both models guarantee that the provider will allocate the requested resources, preventing situations where the client requests capacity but does not receive it in full.
Scalability Features
One of the main advantages of a virtual data center is rapid scalability. When demand increases, add resources; when demand decreases, reduce unused capacity to save costs.
Scalability can be of two types:
Horizontal scaling: new elements are added. For example, if an application normally runs on two servers but user demand increases fivefold, additional servers can be added and users distributed among them.
Vertical scaling: additional resources are added to an existing server. For instance, RAM can be increased, storage expanded, or the server replaced with a more powerful one if the CPU cannot handle the load.
Horizontal and vertical scaling are not mutually exclusive and often complement each other. Horizontal scaling is usually used for expanding server clusters, while vertical scaling is applied when increasing load without adding new servers.
A single task can be addressed with either horizontal or vertical scaling in a vDC.
Example: A web server hosting a website experiences increased traffic. Vertical scaling would involve adding CPU, RAM, or storage to the existing server. Horizontal scaling would involve cloning the server and distributing the load across multiple virtual machines.
Use Cases
A virtual data center can fully replace physical infrastructure and help address almost any business task. Common scenarios include:
Data storage
Software development and testing
Increasing capacity using reserve resources during peak loads
Creating a backup data center that fully replicates the main data center
Setting up remote workstations
These are just a few typical use cases. In practice, vDCs can be beneficial in many situations. However, this solution is not suitable for everyone, partly because vDCs are usually more expensive than standalone cloud servers.
Suitable for:
Medium or large companies planning or already migrating some processes to the cloud.
Companies with seasonal fluctuations or plans to increase load.
Startups that need to minimize infrastructure costs initially but be prepared for rapid growth.
The final decision on whether to deploy a virtual data center should involve IT specialists, economists, analysts, and managers responsible for strategic development, so everyone understands what a vDC is and the risks and benefits of its implementation.
16 October 2025 · 4 min to read
Infrastructure
What Is VMware NSX: Capabilities, Architecture and Use Cases
VMware NSX is a platform for the virtualization and security organization of network services. NSX helps configure routing, distribute loads, manage firewalls, and perform other tasks that system administrators constantly face.
What Problems NSX Solves
Here’s a common situation: the firewall configuration becomes a long list of addresses, ports, subnets, and protocols. At first, the system administrator keeps order and follows logical structure—perhaps even leaves comments for colleagues and successors. But over time, disorder grows.
Employees change, the administrator leaves, and the configuration becomes impossible to modify without risking the entire system. Each day, the tangle gets more and more complicated.
To reduce such situations, VMware once introduced CNS vShield Edge. It was a separate virtual machine that worked as a boundary gateway. The administrator could configure most network functions there. Firewall and NAT rules were used to limit interaction with external networks.
If one really wanted to separate traffic, it was possible to create a separate network for different VMs and write network interaction rules in the firewall. But that was not a pleasant task—especially if the infrastructure consisted of several dozen VMs.
VMware NSX replaced CNS vShield Edge. Its main feature is a distributed firewall built into the hypervisor. In it, you can define interaction policies for any object: IP, MAC, virtual machine, application, or device connected via VMware PCI. Each object gets its own security perimeter, which can be flexibly configured.
Key Capabilities
We already briefly mentioned one capability—network microsegmentation. It is implemented through the distributed firewall. This feature allows for precise control of security policies for VMs and applications.
Thanks to microsegmentation, you don’t bombard the entire system with broad restrictions. It also reduces the risk of lateral (horizontal) threat propagation within the data center. One compromised segment is not a death sentence.
Another useful feature is the easy movement of network objects. For example, you can take a VM with data and move it to another segment or even another virtual data center. The rules for that VM will continue to apply regardless of its new location. The physical network topology also doesn’t matter; the only requirement is that communication with the previous virtual data center remains.
By removing network and security tool limitations, the virtual environment is no longer tied to physical hardware. This increases resource utilization efficiency and significantly speeds up network initialization.
NSX Architecture
The VMware NSX platform consists of several components:
Controller Cluster: a system made up of physical or virtual machines (at least three). It is designed for deploying virtual networks. All machines work in high-availability mode and receive commands through an API. The cluster manages vSwitches and Gateways, which implement virtual networks. Essentially, the Controller Cluster defines network topology, analyzes traffic, and determines how to configure network components.
NSX Manager: a tool that helps manage virtual networks through a web console. It interacts with the Controller Cluster.
Hypervisor vSwitches: virtual switches that handle virtual machine traffic.
Gateways: components that connect virtual and physical networks.
Ecosystem Partners: components through which partners can integrate their virtual modules.
The server hypervisors in an NSX system can be VMware vSphere, KVM, or Xen.
Zero Trust Features
The NSX network virtualization platform allows implementation of the Zero Trust Security model. It is effective for defending against attacks targeting the least protected parts of the system. The core principles of this concept are:
There are no trusted segments or objects: everything is verified.
Users are given minimum privileges, and access requires explicit permission.
Transparent and secure access to resources is provided regardless of their location.
All traffic is monitored and analyzed.
VMWare’s application virtualization helps create security segments for individual objects, implementing the principles of zero trust. This ensures the entire system has a high level of protection against unauthorized access.
Use Cases
VMWare NSX virtualization is applied to solve various tasks. Let’s look at a few common scenarios.
Data Center Security
The most logical use case is dividing a data center into many security segments, each with its own rules. The configuration does not depend on the environment in which the segment operates and is based on user and application behavior scenarios.
Microsegmentation helps network administrators instantly detect threats and begin neutralizing them. This approach also greatly reduces the risk of lateral threat spread—the key distinction between NSX and traditional networks. Even if an attacker breaches the perimeter defense, they cannot move laterally within the data center.
To ensure security and control over interactions, NSX provides a wide range of tools:
Dynamic routing
Load balancer for even traffic distribution
Distributed firewall
Command-line interface, monitoring, and troubleshooting tools for convenient operation
Additionally, VMware Mail can be configured to receive instant notifications about operational issues.
Automation of Network and Application Deployment
Before NSX, network initialization was done manually; it required a lot of time and resources and often led to errors. NSX eliminates these issues completely. Networks are created programmatically, removing bottlenecks tied to physical infrastructure.
By virtualizing network and security services, application lifecycle management can also be automated. Developers can offload routine deployment and maintenance operations, freeing time for other tasks, such as reducing technical debt or implementing new business features.
Migration of Services and Applications
The VMware NSX concept separates the network from physical hardware. Security policies are bound to specific workloads, allowing services and applications to be migrated between data centers in minutes.
Data can be replicated to remote sites, and applications can be deployed without interacting with the physical layer—all without any downtime, not even for a moment.
16 October 2025 · 5 min to read
Infrastructure
IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS: Cloud Computing Service Models
The term “cloud” has become an integral part of modern business practices. Most new projects and startups are launched using cloud-based solutions. They simplify the protection of commercial and personal data, reduce the costs of deploying IT infrastructure, and lower the risks of server breaches aimed at stealing databases or financial information. Many established companies are also considering moving to cloud services as a way to optimize operations.
What Is a Cloud Service
The weakest link in IT services is often the administrator who maintains the server and software. By default, an organization must either keep such a specialist on staff or hire one through an outsourcing contract. This option is not always cost-effective, especially for small companies or those going through financial difficulties. However, it is also impossible to do without technical experts, since their absence increases the risks of downtime and profit loss.
A completely different situation arises when a company rents a SaaS platform:
The client does not need to buy expensive servers.
The provider handles updates and software patches.
The system can be scaled up or down in just a few minutes.
The number of workstations in a cloud-based application can be changed simply by paying for additional accounts or switching to another plan. Similarly, it is just as easy to remove unnecessary accounts and revert to the previous setup. Cloud services are usually provided on a prepaid basis, allowing users to pause or cancel their subscriptions for specific periods, for instance, during a slow season or for a few months or a quarter.
When compared to other industries, cloud systems can be likened to taxi services. When a customer orders transportation, they pay only for the distance or time traveled, without bearing any expenses for vehicle maintenance, driver salaries, insurance, or spare parts. If they owned a vehicle instead, they would have to buy it and handle repairs, fueling, and maintenance.
Benefits of Cloud Infrastructure
To the benefits listed above, we can add at least a dozen more. For example, local IT systems can be migrated to the cloud with relative ease; often, a single software reconfiguration is enough. Office or industrial networking equipment usually continues to function almost unchanged. This means that business owners can avoid costly software purchases and data transfer services.
Other key advantages of SaaS solutions include:
A significant reduction in the workload of the company’s IT department, which can make it possible to reduce staff or lower outsourcing costs.
Cloud hosting alleviates internal network strain and prevents router overloads during peak reporting periods.
Businesses no longer need to buy backup, mirroring, or other systems designed to protect against hardware failures.
Scalability is so high that connecting a few new workstations in an existing office or setting up a brand-new office for ten employees presents no difficulty at all.
For business owners, several points stand out as particularly important. There are no capital expenditures for equipment purchases, and resources are saved on maintenance and staff. Rapid deployment of workstations makes it easier to open new offices. For startups, it is also possible to rent only the resources required for testing a business plan before committing to long-term investment.
Cloud Service Models
Cloud computing continues to be a rapidly developing technology, partly because there are multiple ways to use it. The SaaS model is only one option, albeit the most common. There are four deployment models for cloud technologies: private cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, and community cloud. Each offers a different set of features and capabilities.
Even more interesting is the division by service delivery models:
SaaS (Software as a Service)
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
A broader term, XaaS (Anything as a Service), emphasizes that users do not purchase hardware but rent it, or in some cases, pay only for software licenses. All services are delivered virtually and provide only the final result: for example, access to a CRM, a warehouse database, or remote storage.
IaaS: Infrastructure as a Service
Let’s begin with IaaS. Every organization’s infrastructure differs slightly from others, depending not only on the system administrator but mostly on the tasks performed by the network hardware. The IaaS model enables the creation of various configurations based on virtual servers. Providers offering such services typically operate under the public cloud model.
IaaS addresses the following business needs:
Migrating IT infrastructure to the cloud.
Quickly launching startups and digital products.
Creating a backup environment in case of a local server crash.
Expanding existing infrastructure during business scaling.
Handling peak loads, for example, during sales or marketing campaigns.
Some companies maintain their own servers for central operations while renting additional capacity for remote branches as needed. This significantly speeds up deployment and saves the valuable time that would otherwise be spent purchasing, setting up, and later upgrading hardware to keep up with growing demands. Virtual resources make it possible to correct configuration mistakes almost instantly and without major financial losses.
Common examples of IaaS include Microsoft Azure, Amazon EC2, Hostman, Cisco Metacloud, Google Compute Engine (GCE), and other public clouds such as Elastic Cloud. Even large enterprises use these services, since renting resources as needed is often more cost-efficient than maintaining proprietary hardware. Renting also removes concerns about equipment failures or insufficient performance.
PaaS: Platform as a Service
Next, PaaS provides “platform as a service,” primarily designed for developers and software testers because it automates routine processes and manages large datasets. A PaaS package often includes development tools, testing environments, and data storage for code and applications.
PaaS platforms solve the following tasks:
Shortening development cycles and reducing administrative costs.
Processing Big Data, both historical and real-time.
Implementing machine learning, for example, image recognition systems.
The PaaS model is suitable for both small mobile applications and large enterprise services. Users can focus on the development process and access ready-to-use development tools out of the box. Time-to-market is greatly improved, regardless of project complexity. Developers can also install additional tools alongside built-in ones.
Examples of PaaS systems include the Containerum Managed Kubernetes Service (a container-based development platform), Azure Stack App Service, and database-as-a-service offerings. Provider pricing is often affordable even for individual developers who need limited resources. Large corporations also use PaaS to build mobile apps for their services, such as delivery platforms and product aggregators.
SaaS: Software as a Service
SaaS solutions are widely familiar: Google Docs, Microsoft 365, and Trello are common examples. Each of these products simplifies collaboration, especially for remote work, and offers flexible pricing options. They are fully ready-to-use, subscription-based services with pricing determined by the number of active users.
In short, a SaaS platform provides:
Office software for employees.
Cloud-based tools for freelancers and small business owners.
Affordable access to otherwise expensive applications.
For example, Adobe offers Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and XD through Creative Cloud, and Autodesk provides several products via the cloud. This approach gives users access to high-performance computing resources without the need for costly local hardware.
Beyond flagship products, countless simpler SaaS applications exist, including CRM systems, accounting tools, warehouse databases, website builders, and cloud storage such as Google Drive and OneDrive. Users are now so accustomed to these services that they rarely think of them as cloud-based; an internet outage is usually the only reminder that applications are running on remote servers.
Quick Comparison of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
Even with clear definitions, businesses often struggle to choose the right model. Renting a few CRM seats in AmoCRM is one thing; replacing a local server with a virtual machine and migrating CRM databases, inventory systems, and vast document libraries is another.
A practical approach is to start by listing the hardware involved (CPU, RAM, storage, etc.), then select the operating system best suited to your goals. When renting virtual hardware, there is no need to purchase OS or RDP licenses separately, since these are included with access to the virtual machine’s specifications.
Next, calculate the cost of deploying an in-house server room versus renting cloud capacity in a data center, factoring in software, user count, and storage needs. This provides an objective comparison of profitability. Choosing between IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS is not difficult; each has its ideal user: developers typically prefer PaaS, system administrators rely on IaaS, and end users benefit most from SaaS.
Model
Typical User
Service Provided
Area of Responsibility
Level of Customization
IaaS
IT departments, software developers
Virtual servers, cloud storage
Server availability
Minimal restrictions on supported OS and applications
PaaS
Application developers
Platform for running software, cloud storage
Platform performance and reliability
High level of application customization
SaaS
End users
Ready-to-use software application
Application performance and uptime
Minimal user customization
Clouds are used for video surveillance storage, virtual PBXs, webinar and video conferencing platforms, and electronic document management. Virtual machines frequently host corporate websites or SMTP servers. These functions are often combined with CRM systems, accounting tools, and other business applications, turning the cloud into a universal platform.
Choosing a Cloud Deployment Model
Migrating to cloud services often stems from limited in-house expertise and the need for full business process automation. If the company employs an experienced IT professional, such questions may not even arise, because that person can handle OS installation, configuration, backup, and maintenance.
It is worth asking the following questions:
Is the organization large, medium, or small?
Does it already have its own IT infrastructure?
Has it purchased equipment for an on-premises server room?
Does it have qualified engineers and administrators on staff?
The answers will clarify whether cloud services are necessary or if existing resources suffice. Choosing a specific cloud model is rarely a problem. For example, with Hostman’s cloud services, users do not need to understand the internal workings of the cloud; the provider’s support team will handle the setup free of charge.
Cloud Provider Pricing Models
Another important issue is cost: how much will it cost to rent a SaaS application or other cloud service? If the provider frequently increases prices, cloud migration may become unprofitable. It is therefore essential to assess the company’s resource consumption patterns.
The most popular pricing schemes are:
Pay as You Go: customers pay only for the resources they actually use.
Reservation Pool: the provider reserves a fixed amount of capacity after payment.
The first model gives clients access to resources as long as they are available; during peak demand, processing speed may temporarily decrease. The second model guarantees consistent resource availability, regardless of load. Each option has its pros and cons, and customers can switch between them easily.
Conclusion
The popularity of cloud services is easy to explain. They provide automation opportunities even for small businesses and independent professionals. The speed of deployment and scaling, along with the flexibility of configuration, make virtual machines far more versatile than local setups. For this reason, cloud computing will continue to evolve, gradually shifting more and more company resources into remote data centers.
10 October 2025 · 10 min to read
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