On-Premise vs Cloud Solutions: Choosing the Best Fit for Your Business
Tags: cloud, onpremise, deployment, strapi
Published: 2023-02-15 14:09:24

Are you trying to figure out which computing approach is suitable for your business? On-premises and cloud computing are different approaches to managing and accessing computing resources. On-premises solutions are installed and run locally on the same physical or virtual servers that a company uses to run its business. And cloud computing refers to delivering computing resources over the internet rather than using local servers or personal devices. 

This article will compare on-premises and cloud computing based on location, responsibility, scalability, and cost to help you select the best approach for your business.

## What is Cloud?

Cloud solutions are a popular option for companies of all sizes because it eliminates the need for businesses to invest in and maintain physical infrastructure, allowing them to access computing resources on an as-needed basis. 

Companies can access and use computing resources, such as data storage, processing power, and software applications, on an as-needed basis, rather than investing in and maintaining their own physical infrastructure. You can access data and applications from anywhere, which is particularly beneficial for companies with remote or distributed teams.

## Types Of Cloud

There are several types of cloud computing, each with its characteristics and benefits:

### Public Cloud
In a public cloud, computing resources are owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider and made available to the public over the internet. Public clouds are generally easy to use and scalable but may have less control and security than private clouds.

### Private Cloud: 
In a private cloud, computing resources are dedicated to a single organization and are typically operated on-premises or in a dedicated data center. Private clouds offer more control and security than public clouds but may be more expensive and require more maintenance.

### Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud combines a public and a private cloud, where the organization can use both types of cloud computing to meet its specific needs. For example, an organization may use a public cloud for general computing tasks and a private cloud for sensitive or confidential data. Hybrid clouds offer flexibility and the ability to scale resources as needed.

### Community Cloud
A community cloud is a hybrid shared by a group of organizations with common computing needs and goals. Community clouds offer the benefits of both public and private clouds but are typically more expensive than public clouds.

### Multicloud
A multi-cloud environment uses multiple cloud service providers to meet its computing needs. This can give the organization more flexibility and options but also be more complex to manage. In a multi-cloud environment, workloads can be distributed across clouds based on specific requirements and objectives, such as security, compliance, and cost. 

Overall, the choice of a cloud solution will depend on the specific needs and resources of the organization, as well as its priorities in control, security, cost, and scalability.

## Pros and Cons of Cloud

Here are some pros and cons of cloud computing:

### Pros:
- **Cost**: Cloud computing typically has a lower upfront cost and offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which can benefit companies with limited budgets or unpredictable resource needs.
- **Scalability**: Cloud solutions are generally more scalable than on-premise solutions, as they can easily be adjusted to meet changing resource needs.
- **Flexibility**: They can be accessed from any location with an internet connection, which can benefit companies with remote or mobile workers.
- **Maintenance**: The cloud provider typically handles the maintenance, updates, and management of the infrastructure and resources. This can save time and resources for the company.

### Cons:
- **Dependency on internet connection**: Cloud solutions require an internet connection to be accessed, which can be a limitation for companies in areas with poor or unreliable internet connectivity.
- **Security**: While Cloud providers often have strict security measures in place, companies may be concerned about the security of their data when it is stored and accessed remotely.
- **Customization**: They may not offer the same level of customization as on-premises solutions, as the company is limited to the resources and options provided by the cloud provider.
- **Loss of control**: With Cloud computing, the company is dependent on the cloud provider for the availability and performance of the computing resources. This can be a concern for companies that value control and autonomy.

## Who Are Cloud Service Providers?

A cloud service provider is a corporation that specializes in providing businesses and people with cloud computing services. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service are examples of these services (PaaS). 

Cloud service providers frequently provide public and private cloud computing solutions, allowing organizations to select the best match for their needs. These providers often have high-availability cloud computing systems in place to assure the security and continuation of their clients' companies. These systems are intended to reduce downtime and guarantee that organizations can rely on cloud services.

## What is On-Premise?

On-premises refers to software or hardware installed and run locally on the same physical or virtual servers that a company uses to run its business. The company is responsible for maintaining, updating, and managing the infrastructure and resources required to run the software or hardware.

## Pros and Cons of On-Premise

Here are some pros and cons of on-premises solutions:

### Pros:
- **Control**: With on-premises solutions, the company has complete control over the hardware and software and the infrastructure and resources required to run them. This can benefit companies with specific requirements or the need to customize their solutions.
- **Security**: On-premises solutions can offer better security, as the company controls the physical location and access to the data. This can be especially important for companies handling sensitive or confidential information.
- **Performance**: On-premises solutions may offer better performance, as the company controls the hardware and infrastructure and can optimize them for their specific needs.

### Cons:
- **Cost**: On-premises solutions often require a more significant upfront investment in hardware and infrastructure.
- **Maintenance**: The company is responsible for maintaining, updating, and managing the infrastructure and resources required to run the software or hardware. This can be time-consuming and require specialized skills and resources.
- **Scalability**: On-premises solutions may not be as scalable as cloud solutions, as it can be more difficult and costly to increase or decrease resources as needed.
- **Flexibility**: They may be less flexible than cloud solutions, as they require the company to be physically present to access and use them.

## On-Premise Vs. Cloud: Differences

On-premises and cloud computing are different approaches to managing and accessing computing resources. Here are some key differences between the two:

### Deployment
**On-Premises:** In an on-premises environment, all of the necessary resources and infrastructure are located within the enterprise's IT infrastructure. This means that the enterprise is responsible for maintaining and managing the hardware, software, and other resources required to run the solution. 

This approach offers the enterprise a high level of control over the solution, as they have complete access to and ownership of all the resources and infrastructure. However, it also means that the enterprise must allocate the necessary resources and personnel to maintain and manage the solution, which can be time-consuming and costly.

**Cloud**: Public cloud computing involves using resources hosted by a service provider, which businesses can access and use as needed. It offers scalability, flexibility, and a pay-as-you-go model and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

### Compliance:
**On-premises**:  These solutions allow companies to control their data storage and handling practices, which is essential for compliance with regulatory mandates such as HIPAA or FERPA. Failing to comply with these regulations can have serious consequences, so businesses must manage their data to ensure compliance carefully.

**Cloud**: Businesses that use cloud computing must carefully evaluate their provider's compliance with industry regulations and ensure that sensitive data is secure and privacy is protected for customers, partners, and employees.

### Control:
**On-Premises:** In an on-premises setup, companies keep all of their data on-site and completely control how it is used. This can be positive or negative, depending on the specific circumstances. For example, companies in regulated industries or those with particularly strict privacy concerns may be more hesitant to adopt cloud computing due to the potential loss of control over their data. On-premises solutions offer more control and autonomy but also require more maintenance and management from the company.

**Cloud**: Data ownership is a key concern in cloud computing, as data and encryption keys may be stored by a third-party provider. This can create risks in the event of downtime, as businesses may not be able to access their data. It is important for companies to carefully evaluate the security and availability of their data when choosing a cloud provider.

### Security:
**On-Premises:** On-premises environments can provide a higher level of security and privacy, which is especially important for industries with sensitive information, such as government and banking. Despite the benefits of the cloud, security concerns may lead these industries to prioritize on-premises solutions despite their higher cost.

**Cloud**: Security is still the main obstacle to adopting cloud computing. High-profile cloud breaches and the potential loss of employee personal information or intellectual property have caused IT departments to be wary of the security risks.

## Conclusion

In conclusion, on-premises and cloud computing are two different approaches to managing and accessing computing resources. On-premises solutions are installed and run locally on the same physical or virtual servers that a company uses to run its business, while cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing resources over the internet.

Both on-premises and cloud computing have their own pros and cons, and the best choice for a company will depend on its specific needs and resources.

If you would like to continue learning about hosting your Strapi application and how to do it, here are some valuable resources that you may find useful: 
- [6 Top Deployment Options For Your Strapi Application](https://strapi.io/blog/6-top-deployment-options-for-your-strapi-application)
- [Deploying Strapi to Your Own VPS](https://strapi.io/blog/deploying-strapi-to-your-own-vps)
- [How to Deploy Strapi Docker Container On AWS Elastic Beanstalk](https://strapi.io/blog/how-to-deploy-strapi-docker-container-on-aws-elastic-beanstalk)
- [Deploying Strapi MySQL on a Traditional Hosting Provider](https://strapi.io/blog/deploying-strapi-my-sql-on-a-traditional-hosting-provider)
- [How to Deploy and Scale Strapi on a Kubernetes Cluster](https://strapi.io/blog/how-to-deploy-and-scale-strapi-on-a-kubernetes-cluster-1-2)

Continue discussing this topic further or connect with more people using Strapi on our [Discord community](https://discord.com/invite/strapi). It is a great place to share your thoughts, ask questions, and participate in live discussions.

[![Cloud CTA.png](https://d2zv2ciw0ln4h1.cloudfront.net/uploads/Cloud_CTA_d2b64e7adc.png)](https://strp.cc/3XziQPo)