Best PaaS Services Shortlist
Here is my shortlist of top PaaS solutions and what each does best.
- Google App Engine - Best for integrations with other Google Cloud services
- Amazon AWS - Best for working in a variety of programming languages
- Microsoft Azure - Best for Windows-based applications
- Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - Best for high-performance computing work
- Heroku - Best for companies that use Salesforce for CRM
- Digital Ocean - Best easy-to-use platform for quick deployment
- Heirloom Computing - Best for companies that need to migrate to modern architectures
- Dokku - Best for businesses with a limited budget
- Red Hat OpenShift - Best for Kubernetes platform
- Mendix - Best for enterprise-grade apps
- Engine Yard - Best for app deployment to AWS
- Acquia Cloud Platform - Best for Drupal applications
PaaS, or Platform as a Service, provides a platform for your development team to focus on building applications without them having to manage the servers, storage, and networking resources. It provides a simplified development experience, improved application performance, faster time-to-market, and more scalable applications.
I reviewed the top PaaS services, so you don’t have to. In my evaluation, you’ll find the details of each solution, why I included them, information on pricing and trials, and helpful screenshots.
What are PaaS Services?
Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a cloud-based environment where businesses can build, test, deploy, manage, and update their web applications. Some functionalities include pre-built templates for app development, automatic scaling and load balancing, and pay-per-use pricing models for cost optimization.
PaaS tools allow businesses to manage the complete application lifecycle within one integrated environment and not worry about handling infrastructure like storage or servers, software licenses, middleware, container tools, and other development tools.
Overviews of the 12 Best PaaS Services
Here’s my take on the 12 best PaaS services, based on their standout features, benefits, and pricing plans.
1. Google App Engine - Best for integration with other Google Cloud services
Google App Engine (GAE) is a cloud computing technology for building and hosting secure and scalable web applications. I ranked this highly because it offers a fully-managed serverless platform where development teams can focus on writing their code and not bother with managing the underlying infrastructure.
Why I picked Google App Engine
I was impressed by GAE for its ease of integration with Google services like BigQuery and DataStore, which makes it easy for developers to build and manage services from one central place if they are already using Google services.
I also appreciated that GAE supports many programming languages, such as Python, Ruby, C#, and JavaScript. Moreover, developers can import frameworks and libraries via docker containers, which are standalone, lightweight executable packages with code, libraries, and system tools that can easily move between different environments. You may also appreciate that the service provides software developer kits (SDKs) so you can build and test your apps before releasing them.
Google App Engine Standout Features and Integrations:
Features I believe that can help you if you are looking for Google-based integrations are that GAE includes support for some of the most popular languages like Go, Python, or PHP, powerful application security with SSL/TLS certificates on your custom domain, diagnostics functionalities that track app health and performance, and Cloud Debugger and Error Reporting to identify and fix bugs.
Integrations are pre-built for Google Cloud Platform services, such as Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, and Cloud Datastore, and are natively available for popular developer platforms like Bitbucket and GitHub.
Pricing: From $0.06 per hour per instance
Trial: 90-day, $300 free trial offer
Pros
- Minimal server maintenance
- Can add or subtract instances as needed
- Can create scheduled tasks and task queue factors
Cons
- Reliance on custom runtimes for unsupported languages
- Documentation and tutorials are insufficient
2. Amazon Elastic Beanstalk - Best for working in a variety of programming languages
AWS Elastic Beanstalk is Amazon’s PaaS service provider, which leverages AWS services like Amazon S3 and Amazon Elastic Cloud Compute (EC2), and which supports both web and worker applications.
Why I picked AWS Elastic Beanstalk
The headline feature that made Elastic Beanstalk stand out to me is flexibility. I found deploying and scaling web apps easy thanks to support for popular servers like IIS, Apache, and Nginx and the flexibility of working with many programming languages, such as Python, .NET, Java, PHP, Ruby, and Go. You also have the freedom to deploy your code from multiple options like Visual Studio, AWS Management Console, and Eclipse.
AWS Elastic Beanstalk Standout Features and Integrations:
Features I like in Beanstalk include automatic load balancing, capacity provisioning, health monitoring with 40+ key attributes, and CPU usage and latency performance metrics.
Integrations are pre-built for all Amazon services like Amazon RDS that help manage relational databases, AmazonS3 for storage and backup, AWS VPC for isolated networks, and AWS Identity and Access Management for setting access controls.
Pricing: Pay for what you use
Trial: Various trial options available
Pros
- Intuitive user interface
- Robust security with multi-factor authentication and SSL/TLS
- ISO, PCI, SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 compliance
Cons
- Documentation and tutorials are scattered
- Customizations can be hard
3. Microsoft Azure - Best for Windows-based applications
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that allows you to build, deploy, and manage applications and services through 200+ data centers in 60+ regions. It integrates with all the Microsoft services, so users who develop Microsoft applications can manage their tech stack in one place. I also noted that Azure presents a wide range of cloud services, including compute, storage, networking, and databases.
Why I picked Microsoft Azure
I selected Azure because it comes with hybrid, on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge capabilities, and developers can work with open-source frameworks and languages that they prefer. It also impresses me that Azure covers so many service areas, including AI, machine learning, blockchain, DevOps, the Internet of Things, mixed reality, and mobile.
Microsoft Azure Standout Features and Integrations:
Features I feel that differentiate Azure from other PaaS providers include auto-scaling, elastic pools to adjust resources, provision virtual machines for Red Hat, Ubuntu, and other Linux distributions, and single sign-on and multi-factor identification.
Integrations include Microsoft services like Dynamics 365 and Power BI (native), third-party services like GitHub, and 600+ out-of-the-box connectors and workflows to connect to SaaS apps.
Pricing: Pay as you go
Trial: $200 credit for first 30 days post sign up
Pros
- Service-level Agreement (SLA) uptime
- Built-in support for Git
- Supportive technical team
Cons
- Expensive for small-scale organizations
- Out-of-date technical documentation
4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure - Best for high-performance computing work
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) offers cloud services to let you build and run various applications and services in a high-compute environment with secure storage capacity.
Why I picked Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
OCI stands out for me because it not only offers the standard cloud services like migration and storage, but also includes a wide array of capacities like analytics, databases, data lakes, AI, business intelligence, and FEDRAMP-complaint government clouds. In addition, it provides high data availability that reduces failures and downtimes.
OCI Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I believe make OCI noteworthy are bare metal and virtual machine compute, vulnerability audit to scan common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs), and automated CI/CD pipelines and repository management processes to optimize app development.
Integrations are available natively for most popular tools, including Grafana for metrics, Slack for communication, GitLab for pipelines, and Terraform to deploy infrastructure as code.
Pricing: Starts from $54/4 vCPUs/month
Trial: 10+ always free services + $300 in free credits for a 30-day trial
Pros
- Isolated network virtualization for self-service
- Good customer support
- Simple to get started
Cons
- Complicated configurations
- Expensive compared to other providers
5. Heroku - Best for companies that use Salesforce for CRM
Heroku offers fully-managed data services that handle configuration, orchestration, failovers, load balancing, and security.
Why I picked Heroku
I suggest Heroku for developers who want a straightforward solution to build, maintain, and distribute web apps, especially if they use Salesforce data. However, they can also scale their applications, and Heroku adapts to the infrastructure changes—its scalability ranges from simple hobby assignments to complex enterprise-grade apps.
Heroku Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I want to recommend here are PostgreSQL as a service that enables encryption at rest and database forking; measurement of app metrics like throughput, CPU load, and response times; build packs that let you customize your stack; and “dynos,” which are managed containers in which you can run and monitor your apps continuously.
Integrations include 200+ add-ons, including Rollbar for responding to errors, Logtail for querying logs, and CloudRail for integrating Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Pricing: Starts from $5/month + Pay as you go model
Trial:
Pros
- Fine-grained access controls
- Responsive SLAs
- Can run apps in various languages
Cons
- Apps with large datasets may face performance issues
- Lack of customization
6. DigitalOcean - Best easy-to-use platform for quick deployment
With DigitalOcean, developers can provision application stacks, deploy code, and monitor application performance. DigitalOcean's intuitive user interface, robust API, and extensive documentation make it a top choice for developers who want to release apps quickly.
Why I picked DigitalOcean
I immediately appreciated DigitalOcean’s ease of use, thanks to a great user interface. DigitalOcean is also popular for a feature called “Droplets,” which are Linux-based virtual machines you can set up in seconds. They’re highly scalable and come with 99.99% SLAs and uptime. You can also configure alerts from the control panel so that you know how the app is functioning.
DigitalOcean Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I feel businesses can find useful are managed Kubernetes clusters, quick installation for CMS tools, support for various server-side coding frameworks, languages, and databases like MySQL and Redis.
Integrations are native to the most commonly used tools by DevOps teams like Chef, Ansible, Puppet, Rancher, SaltStack, and Slack. It also has Zapier connection to over 300+ apps.
Pricing: From $4/1 vCPU/month
Trial: $200 credit for a 60-day free trial
Pros
- Powerful security tools
- Virtual networking capabilities
- Backups and snapshots functionalities
Cons
- Slow customer support response
- Limited regions for data centers
7. Heirloom Computing - Best for companies that need to migrate to modern architectures
Heirloom Computing is an innovative technology that transforms legacy systems into modern and efficient cloud-native applications while keeping the data and applications intact.
Why I picked Heirloom Computing
I selected Heirloom Computing because it provides migration tools that can help your organization undertake a cloud transformation and navigate all the complex challenges that come along with migrating from legacy systems. But Heirloom just doesn’t provide traditional migration solutions; it also lets you deploy solutions that can work on any cloud.
Heirloom Computing Standout Features and Integrations:
Features I believe that differentiate Heirloom from other options are compiler-based technology that enables migration of large mainframe applications in sixty seconds, Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for execution that helps match the exact working of the original application, and bimodal development that lets you retain the original application code.
Integrations are not available, but they have a strong ecosystem of partners like AWS, Cognizant, CGI, Dell, mainframe cloud, Scala, and Google Cloud to enable integrations.
Pricing: Works on a licensing system, and pricing depends on the number of cores you utilize
Trial: 14-day free trial
Pros
- Lowest-risk project delivery
- Powerful application agility
- Accelerated re-platforming
Cons
- Some features may require technical expertise
- Lack of documentation
8. Dokku - Best for businesses with a limited budget
Dokku is an open-source, mini-Heroku PaaS platform that lets you deploy and manage applications using Docker containers.
Why I picked Dokku
This tool caught my eye because it has everything that a business with a limited budget may need: it’s free and extensible, there’s no vendor lock-in, and you can host it on your own server. Because Dokku uses Docker, it automatically deploys code with a git push. Thanks to automated SSL certificates that encrypt data between servers and clients, you can prevent unauthorized access of sensitive information. Plus, with horizontal scaling, you can distribute increased traffic across multiple servers, improving response times.
Dokku Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I liked during my evaluation are Dokku’s use of build packs that help you run applications in a consistent and repeatable way ensuring simplicity and portability, docker containerization that prevents apps from co-mingling and supports zero downtime deployments, and instant subdomains so you don’t have to configure Domain Name System (DNS) settings manually.
Integrations are not available, but they have official plugins for CouchDB, Elasticsearch, Grafana, MariaDB, Mongo, MySQL, Redis, and HTTP Auth.
Pricing: Free to use (However, they have another product Dokku Pro that’s priced at $849 for a lifetime)
Trial: Dokku is free to use
Pros
- Getting started is easy
- Active Slack and Discord community
- In-depth documentation
Cons
- May require regular updates and maintenance
- Customer support may be limited
9. Red Hat OpenShift - Best for Kubernetes platform
OpenShift is Red Hat’s cloud computing PaaS solution that comes in multiple flavors: OpenShift Container Platform provides Kubernetes platform for clients who want to deploy containerized applications; OpenShift Dedicated gives turn-key access to high-availability clusters hosted on Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud; and Red Hat on Microsoft Azure provides an enterprise-grade Kubernetes environment in a Microsoft ecosystem.
Why I picked OpenShift
If you are looking for a PaaS solution that’s fully compatible with Kubernetes, OpenShift can be a good choice. During my evaluation, I found that because OpenShift leverages Kubernetes’ features of container orchestration, automatic scaling, and integrated registry for storing and managing container images, it is easy for developers to build and deploy containerized applications using Kubernetes.
OpenShift Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that made me recommend OpenShift include built-in Jenkins pipelines that help automation of the software delivery process, a faster feedback loop for developers; edge computing capabilities so that you can use application services even in remote locations and perform analysis in real-time; and runtimes and libraries that help developers ship out apps quickly.
Integrations include Red Hat’s native integration, where you can connect data and applications with solutions like APIcast, Istio Adapter, Camel K, AMQ Streams, AMQ Broker, Debezium, and Service Registry.
Pricing: Starts from $0.076/hour
Trial: 30 days free trial
Pros
- Easy user interface
- Advanced security with built-in scanner
- Runtime threat detection and risk profiling
Cons
- Complicated setup
- Can be pricey for small deployments
10. Mendix - Best for enterprise-grade apps
Mendix is a low-code PaaS solution that is best suited for enterprises, thanks to a host of tools that ease development work, such as collaboration tools that developers can use to build apps in real-time and rapid prototyping functionalities that let you release apps faster.
Why I picked Mendix
A compelling reason for me to choose Mendix is that it allows developers to drag and drop components onto a visual application model instead of writing code to build and deploy applications. It also offers responsive design functionality, where applications built on Mendix are automatically optimized for all device types.
Mendix Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I want to highlight are its pre-built machine learning models that can be easily integrated into applications, custom widgets to extend the functionality of Mendix applications, and offline capabilities where users can continue to work even when their connection is lost.
Integrations for Mendix include SAP and Salesforce (native) and comes with other tools like REST services, Web services, mappings, OData, connector kit, and data hub to handle your integrations.
Pricing: Starts at $54/month
Trial: Free trial available forever
Pros
- Data governance and compliance
- Built-in security
- Real-time monitoring to identify and resolve issues
Cons
- Need for stronger documentation and community support
- Styling pages or forms can be hard
11. Engine Yard - Best for app deployment to AWS
Since Engine Yard has over a decade of AWS and Ruby experience, it can be the ideal platform for businesses looking to leverage the full potential of AWS while minimizing the complexity of their infrastructure. It’s also a great option for businesses that need to comply with industry regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and SOC 2, as well as for teams that require support for multiple cloud providers.
Why I picked Engine Yard
One powerful reason that I put Engine Yard on this list is that it ensures maximum safety and security by providing every customer with a dedicated AWS account and a set of Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs) housed within a private, fully-configured Kubernetes cluster. This setup protects all customer data by eliminating potential security risks associated with public internet connections.
Engine Yard Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that differentiate Engine Yard include automated notifications of application failure or abnormalities, and support for Ruby, Java, Python, PHP, and Java. I also appreciated that you don’t need to deploy hooks—just using the GIT repository link is enough.
Integrations are native and include Amazon VPC, New Relic for monitoring performances, Github, and PostgreSQL.
Pricing: Starts $50/month
Trial: 14-day free trial
Pros
- Easy deployment
- 24/7 support
- Multi-cloud support
Cons
- Limited customization
- Custom styling is difficult without knowing CSS
12. Acquia Cloud Platform - Best for Drupal applications
Acquia Cloud Platform comes with a set of tools optimized for the Drupal CMS. This makes it easier for developers, site builders, and content editors to build and manage Drupal sites.
Why I picked Acquia
I like how Acquia Cloud Platform is a comprehensive solution for hosting web applications that prioritizes reliability, scalability, security, and user experience with DevOps integration, application monitoring, backups, workflow management, and site access control.
Acquia Standout Features and Integrations:
Features that I recommend are its Content Delivery Network (CDN) that lets you provide high-speed content delivery to users across regions and a global load balancer that distributes traffic across regions to maintain optimal performance. It also comes with a site factory feature lets you manage multiple sites for various languages, brands, regions, or campaigns which can make work easier for Drupal developers.
Integrations include many native options like LiveRamp, Facebook, Salesforce, Zendesk, Shopify, SAP, MailChimp, Eventbrite, Adobe Analytics, and Informatica and Platform APIs for custom integrations.
Pricing: Starts $148/user/month
Trial: Free trial depends on the product you choose + Free demo and walkthrough available
Pros
- Disaster recovery services
- Expert support and training services specifically tailored for Drupal
- PCI, HIPAA, and SOC 1&2 compliant
Cons
- Multi-site structure can be difficult to manage
- Expensive compared to other solutions with similar features
Other PaaS Services
Here are a few more providers who didn’t make it to the top PaaS list; however, if you need a few more tools to consider, check these out.
- Clever Cloud: Best sustainable option to deploy apps on a carbon-neutral data center
- Platform.sh: Best for scaling organizations in need of rapid development
- Python Anywhere: Best for businesses who want to host websites with Python code
- Scalingo: Best to deploy development from GitLab and GitHub libraries
- Vercel: Best for front-end teams
- Tsuru: Best open-source PaaS platform
- Qoddi: Best for unlimited builds and savings on backups, load balancers, and bandwidth
- OutSystems: Best for multi-experience user interfaces
- Render: Best for deployment from Git with free TLS certificates and a global CDN
- CloudWays: Best for small businesses.
Selection Criteria For PaaS Services
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list.
Core Functionalities
When it comes to PaaS services, here are the core functionalities they should possess to be included in my list:
- Standard PaaS offerings like fast deployment, storage, and backup facilities
- Ease of use so that developers don’t have to spend time getting up to speed
- Integration capabilities for popular existing tools and frameworks to enhance the platform’s usability
- Pre-built integrations for cost-effective and quick app development and deployment
Key Features
Key features that I have evaluated for this list are:
- Fully-managed serverless features so that all types of manual work and infrastructure management are taken care of by the PaaS provider
- Security features like multi-factor authentication and compliance with common IT regulations
- Load balancing features and scalability so that the PaaS platform can expand according to your requirements, ensuring that you don't hit any bottlenecks as your application grows and performs optimally
Usability
PaaS services need to have a simple and clutter-free UI so that developers can focus on their core work of writing code. That’s why I paid special attention to picking out solutions that offer an intuitive UI and also come with effective documentation on their website.
People Also Ask
Still have some questions in mind? Here are answers to some of the most common questions.
What are the benefits of PaaS?
What is the difference between SaaS and PaaS?
What are the three types of PaaS?
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What Next?
Choosing the best PaaS solution depends on factors like deployment model, language support, scalability, pricing, integration, reliability, and security. With these criteria in mind, you can make an informed decision that suits your organization's requirements and budget.
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