Web App vs Cloud App: Understanding the Differences

Cloud App vs Web App: Understanding the Differences

Cloud App vs Web App

There is a delicate line between the two, also with the gaining prevalence of Web Applications and Cloud Applications. Most people use the Web App and the Cloud App in their sentences interchangeably, and the distinction between the two is also very blurry today. Cloud Applications, though, are separate from Web Apps, and the evolved variant of a web App is the cloud App. The Cloud App is used to access online content over the Internet, much as a web App, except the Cloud App, does not rely solely on web browsers to operate, as with the web App. Depending on the enterprise and its needs, the selection done on between a web app and a cloud app.

What is Cloud App?

Cloud app is a cloud-based program that includes some of the functionality of both pure desktop apps and pure web applications.

A cloud application is a kind of a web app that’s more sophisticated. It is used almost as often as web apps to access online content over the Internet, but it does not rely solely on a web browser to operate.

The Cloud app developer will assist with designing, evaluating, and optimizing computer application applications.

The Cloud Application can be personalized and can be conveniently utilized by different means of connectivity, such as a custom-built cloud app for web services. A Cloud App’s specialized features separate it from a web App.

  • The data is stored in the cloud app, in the cloud or in a cloud-like infrastructure.
  • For full offline mode use, data stored in the Cloud or Cloud-like infrastructure is conveniently cached locally.
  • Cloud Apps are designed to support different user needs, such as Cloud App data storage with various features, such as encryption, data compression, and backup schedules.
  • Cloud Applications are used to access a wide variety of resources, such as platforms for application creation, on-demand computing cycle, storage, and many other resources, where Cloud app development services find their use.
  • Cloud applications can be easily accessed either from a web browser or from custom built-in apps mounted on the Internet and attached to different devices such as desktops and cell phones.

Examples of Cloud Apps

Mozy, Evernote, Sugar Sync, Salesforce, Dropbox, NetSuite, and Zoho.com are only a few famous examples. Other eligible examples like web email (Google, Yahoo, Microsoft Hotmail, etc.) may not be so apparent, but they rely on cloud technologies and are available offline if customers want to customize them as such.

Benefits of a Cloud Application

Some benefits of cloud apps include:

  • Users can tailor on-demand offerings to meet personal preferences and desires. There is a feeling of freedom from the venue, providing access to information from either place or device.
  • Cloud systems help organizations grow rapidly outward, including data, processing, memory, the bandwidth of the network, etc.
  • Cloud apps have large computing capabilities, both offline and online.
  • For cloud apps, consumers frequently do not access the software but pay for the services it delivers. As a result, via a cloud server, users get easy access to the appropriate applications.
  • The price of the application can be dependent on actual device usage.
  • There is minimal management effort or service provider communicates through cloud apps.
  • It is possible to track, record, and manage resource utilization. It will provide clients and resource suppliers with accountability.

What is Web App?

A web application is a computer program that executes functions over the Internet using web browsers and web technologies.

In order to migrate to the cloud, web app developers can take advantage of the cost savings and fast time to market of the new cloud app development initiatives.

Web apps are designed to run through a web browser, unlike cloud-based applications. Web-based applications are created or built through the combination of HTML and Adobe Flash-like server-side scripts (PHP, .Net) and user-side calligraphy. The web browser relies on components of the webserver that have been inserted on the lifting system to allow the use of central web-based services.

Example of a Web Application

Online forms, shopping carts, text processors, spreadsheets, video and photo editing, image transfer, image searching, and email systems such as Gmail, Yahoo, and AOL are included in the web applications. Google Apps and Microsoft 365 are common applications.

Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, cloud storage, and more are available on Google Apps for work. Other capabilities include exchanging notes and calendars online. This helps all team members to concurrently view the same version of a text.

Benefits of a Web Application

  • Web applications run on various platforms as long as the browser is compatible, regardless of OS or system.
  • They minimize costs for both enterprise and end-users when there are less business service and maintenance needed and lower end-user device requirements.
  • All users access the same update, removing any compatibility with consistency.
  • They are not installed on the hard drive, removing space limitations.
  • They minimize software piracy in web applications that are subscription-based (i.e. SaaS)

Differences between Web-Based and Cloud-Based Applications

There are a few distinctive characteristics that help differentiate cloud applications from web applications. Now let’s dive further a little bit.

  • The structure is the main distinction between web and cloud applications. Although all require access through the internet to online facilities, cloud apps do not often rely on web browsers to operate. From everywhere, even without the web interface, cloud apps are available. From a local workstation, they can execute tasks
  • Web applications are not typically configured to have multi-tenancy capabilities; that is, they do not support the multiple user requirements. Cloud applications, on the other hand, provide multi-tenancy and can serve users’ diverse desires and specifications.
  • In addition, cloud applications promise customization capabilities to increase flexibility. Web applications do not provide the same level of features or customization options.
  • A sophisticated back-end that guarantees uptime, stability, and connectivity with other systems supports cloud apps. In addition, it permits several methods of entry and promotes scalability. It requires mirroring of data and fast synchronization of data. Web applications do not do as much because they are stored on a remote server and distributed by a browser interface over the Internet.
  • Although web apps access and validate client information from the data centers of an enterprise, cloud apps can boost confidential information management measures. To ensure the cloud applications are more stable, security updates can be applied to cloud environments.

Get A Best Web Development

Get in touch with the Web Development Company. Start with 15 day risk-free trial

Request A Quote

Last Words

Dreamsoft4u is a cloud based application development company and web application development company in USA. We provide robust web application development services along with Cloud App development services

that range from basic landing pages to complex customized web solutions helping our clients achieve competitive advantage. We have an excellent team of web development experts who designs and develop websites that help companies grow revenue faster and make your website the most effective online selling tool.

FAQs

Q1. How does a cloud app differ from a web app?

The primary difference is- cloud apps runs on a remote server, while a web app runs on a web   server. Other than this, cloud-apps are browser independent. They can also be accessed from a local workstation.

Q2. Can a web app be considered a cloud app, or are they completely different things?

No, they cannot be considered the same. Especially, cloud apps are significant multi-tenant in nature. They are much more customizable and offer more advanced features and functions. 

Q3. What are the advantages of using a cloud app over a web app?

Cloud apps support multiple-access. They have a sophisticated back-end,  have scalable resources,, and are easy to  update and maintain.

Q4. How secure are cloud apps compared to web apps?

Both cloud apps and web apps can be made secure, but cloud apps may require more security measures due to being hosted on a remote server.

Q5. Can you provide examples of popular cloud apps and web apps?

Popular coud apps- Dropbox, Google Drive, and Salesforce.

Popular web apps include Gmail, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Q6. How does scalability differ between cloud apps and web apps?

Cloud apps are easy to scale in terms of storage, processing, memory, network bandwidth, etc. 

Q7. Which one is more cost-effective: a cloud app or a web app?

The pricing of bith apps depends on the actual usage and functional requirements of the apps. 

Q8. What factors should be considered when deciding between a cloud app and a web app for business?

Factors to consider include the scalability requirements, security needs, and budget constraints of the project.

Sanjeev Agrawal

Sanjeev Agrawal

My name is Sanjeev Agrawal. I am a Director and Co-founder of Dreamsoft4u, IT Consulting Company. I am having a keen interest in the latest trends and technologies that are emerging in different domains. Being an entrepreneur in the field of the IT sector, it becomes my responsibility to aid my audience with the knowledge of the latest trends in the market.