Cloud Agnostic vs Cloud Native

Introduction

Cloud technology has become essential for many industries. A report from 2019 shows that 87% of companies accelerate their business processes by adopting cloud services. As you start to explore the technology, you will probably find a lot of cloud providers talking about cloud agnostic vs cloud native architecture. You should understand the differences before you make any decisions. Depending on your organization, you may want cloud agnostic, cloud native, or hybrid tools.

Schedule a call with the team at Iron.io to learn more about how IronWorker can integrate into your cloud infrastructure.

Table of Contents

• What Does Cloud Agnostic Mean?
• What Does Cloud Native Mean?
• Cloud Agnostic: Pros and Cons
• Cloud Native: Pros and Cons
• A Hybrid Approach to Cloud Tools
• Find the Right Platform for Your Cloud Tools

What Does Cloud Agnostic Mean?

Cloud agnostic tools can work on any cloud platform. They work just as well on Google Cloud Platform as AWS, which means you can move them from service to service without interruptions. No matter where you move them, you get the same results because the tools do not rely on the underlying features of a specific platform.

What Does Cloud Native Mean?

Cloud native tools do rely on the underlying features of specific cloud platforms. When you purchase or develop an app, you can only use it on one cloud platform. If you start with Microsoft Azure, then you need to keep the tool on Azure. Attempting to move it to a different platform could mean that the tool loses some features or stops functioning.

Cloud Agnostic: Pros and Cons

Some of the advantages of going cloud agnostic include:

• Flexibility that lets you save money and improve performance by always choosing the cloud platform that gives you the best deal – you can move elsewhere if a platform lets you down.
• Scaling becomes easier than ever because you can host your tools on multiple platforms simultaneously.
• Developing unique features that match the needs of your organization instead of relying on the features that a specific cloud platform can give you.

When comparing cloud agnostic vs. cloud native, you also have to consider the potential downsides of choosing cloud agnostic. Some of those potential disadvantages include:

• Potentially high upfront costs of developing and deploying applications with unique features.
• Spending more time building a cloud agnostic tool instead of getting started immediately.
• Losing access to some of the features built-in to successful cloud platforms.

Cloud Native: Pros and Cons

The cloud native approach also has its pros and cons. Some advantages include:

• Fast deployment that helps you take products and services to market faster.
• Avoiding repetitive work by using a cloud platform’s native features.
• Saving money upfront by avoiding the cost of tools development.

The disadvantages will sound familiar because they are the opposite of the advantages you get from cloud native solutions. They include:

• Getting stuck with one cloud provider, which could mean you miss opportunities to benefit from other offers.
• Scaling becomes restricted to what your current cloud provider can offer, which can vary considerably between companies.
• Missing unique features that could help your organization operate more efficiently, improve client services, and lower costs.

A Hybrid Approach to Cloud Tools

You don’t necessarily have to commit to cloud agnostic or cloud native architecture. Many organizations follow a hybrid approach that lets them take advantage of both options.

For example, you may find that your company benefits from a cloud native application that streamlines some of your processes. If the app works well for you, it makes sense to use it. Why avoid the option just because you prefer cloud agnostic tools? If it works, use it!

At the same time, you may want to develop cloud native tools that fit the specific, unique needs of your business. Perhaps you want a customized application that tracks sales from certain locations at certain times. You know that your application’s demands will scale during the holiday season, so you might need a cloud agnostic tool that lets you scale faster by using multiple platforms at once.

You may even decide that you want to use a combination of cloud and on-premises tools. In that case, you will need a platform that gives you superior flexibility. IronWorker, for instance, can manage tools in the cloud and operating on your in-office servers.

The hybrid approach doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s worth considering. After you look at your options, you will know more about whether it fits your needs and budget.

Find the Right Platform for Your Cloud Tools

Several platforms can help you deploy and manage cloud tools. As you learn more about your options, make sure you compare popular platforms that can meet the needs of cloud agnostic applications. Part of your exploration should include getting a free 14-day trial with IronWorker, a solution that gives you excellent flexibility and a wide range of features to help you meet your goals.

You don’t need to make a commitment or provide any credit card information. Sign up for an IronWorker demo today!