Best 10 Serverless Platforms

Before the Serverless Computing framework, developers would spend hours solving coding issues. Next, the operation team would spend countless hours helping developers to figure out the code written by them and made sure the computers used for running the program are operating smoothly.

The latter part was an endless task to complete for sure. And then arrived the age of Serverless Computing with the launch of AWS Lambda in 2014. The serverless computing paradigm helps developers forget about the worries related to the operating system their code runs on because the service provider effectively takes care of these things. 

What is Serverless Computing?

In serverless computing, an execution model for the cloud, a cloud provider dynamically allots and seeks payment from the user solely for the compute resources and storage required for the execution of a specific piece of code.

The serverless approach allows app developers to work with servers, but in a serverless way by handing over maintenance and provisioning tasks to the cloud provider.

A team involved in writing the code and using it can rely on the fully-managed cloud service that will effectively manage a host, patch a host, and deal with everything on an operating system level.

There is no requirement for the developer to provide or manage the server at all. All he needs to do is focus entirely on writing codes. 

Why go for a serverless architecture?

A serverless approach benefits an app developer in two significant ways:

• No server management
• Automatic scaling
• Pay according to resource allocation

App developers can develop event-driven applications in a serverless environment. For instance, developers might have to deploy data coming from IoT devices with intermittent Internet connectivity or have an application with fluctuating event requests.

In both cases, a serverless approach can handle peak work capacities. Besides, the serverless approach follows a payment model where you pay only for a compute resource and the required storage, rather than buying hardware that sits idle for most of the time. 

With serverless computing, developers can focus fully on their business goals (write codes), rather than investing time and effort in solving infrastructural problems. 

Top 10 Serverless Providers

In this part of the context, you will gain insight into the top ten serverless providers. 

Back4App

Back4App is the best open-source Backend-as-a-Service developed to offer amazing flexibility and scalability to app developers. More and more organizations are promoting this serverless framework as this BaaS features most of the backend applications on cloud service.

App developers use Back4App as it can be effective for them to run complex applications with rich user-interface qualities. With better latency and improved scalability, this serverless structure can aid developers to roll with the punches constructively. 

Implementing a serverless approach becomes even more productive when an application is becoming successful with every passing day. By implementing this approach it would be convenient for developers to stage the changes occurring as per the growth.

Aside from these, the Back4app serverless platform features API and database integrated cloud code functions, automated backups, 24*7 support service, and file storage adopters. With all these amazing features in place, Back4App can provide finer application development capabilities in the best possible ways.

Core Features

• SQL and NoSQL Database
• REST and GrapQL APIs
• Authentication
• Notifications
• Storage

Pricing

• Free tier available
• Paid plans initiate at $5 per month

AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that monitors lambda functions. AWS Lambda helps developers write code without managing servers and execute them unfailingly. The app developers get the authority to report metrics through Amazon CloudWatch after executing the functions.

This serverless approach lets developers scale applications by executing the code and analogically processing each trigger response individually. Furthermore, AWS Lambda facilitates a payment model where you must pay for the compute time you consume. This being the case, you can optimize your code execution time by selecting a memory size that matches your function.

You can initialize your functions and keep them ready to be acknowledged within milliseconds by activating Provisioned Concurrency. Developing an app with AWS Lambda is as easy as writing the code in lambda’s editor, setting up the code using the required compute resources, and paying for the time you use.

Core Features

• No servers to manage
• Scalability
• Custom Logic

Pricing

• 1M requests for Free
• Pay by the usage

Cloudflare Workers

The Cloudflare Worker is a serverless platform that effectively runs serverless functions as closely as possible to the end-user. In Cloudflare Worker platform, app developers write functions in JavaScript against the API service workers.

In other words, developers can use all the functionalities that a service worker offers to write the code. The developers execute the code by leveraging the Chrome V8 engine. After the developers write and execute the codes, they host the code in Cloudflare’s data centers accessible throughout the world.

Cloudflare Worker offers developers the simplicity of dealing with the complete stack of software underneath the application, leaving them free to pay attention to the logic of the application. Besides, serverless computing aids further flexibility to invest in the used services, rather than investing in pre-allocated packages. 

Heroku

Heroku is a cloud platform-based service supporting a range of programming languages. Heroku, one of the earliest application Platform-as-a-Services (PaaS), was initially developed for writing codes compatible with Ruby programming platform (Rack).

It was first developed in June 2007, and since then, it has been in development mode. The Heroku application has evolved with time, and now, this platform supports coding languages like Java, Scala, Python, Go, Clojure, PHP, and Node.Js.

Developers have the provision to run their applications in virtual containers, also known as dynos, and then effectively execute them in a reliable environment. This serverless approach handles application archive pushes from users who are permitted to do that. Heroku allows developers to continuously deliver apps without being distracted by infrastructure.

With the help of Heroku service, developers can extend applications with Add-ons and customize them with Buildpacks. You can entrust your information to Heroku. Heroku will protect your data by performing regular audits and maintaining SOC compliance to strengthen the trust of their customers. 

Its popularity has grown recently, and its easy-to-use features have made it a top choice for a majority of developers.

Core Features

• High performance network
• No cold starts
• Scalability

Pricing

• Free tier
• Pay by the request

Google Cloud Functions

The Google Cloud Functions is a serverless compute platform used by app developers to create event-driven applications. For developers who use Google Cloud Platform, the Cloud Functions of this platform serve as a connecter between various Google Cloud Platform services.

Developers have the authority to extend GCP services by writing code in the form of Cloud Functions. By doing this, developers can weave logic by listening to various services and responding to the events accordingly. It is just a few coding lines that the developers need to write, and they can produce higher-grade combinations without requiring to manage servers.

One simply needs to go on adding codes while Google manages the software and infrastructure. As events continue to occur, the Cloud Functions automatically provisions the resources. 

Core Features

• No server management
• Built in security
• Monitoring

Pricing

• Start for free
• Pay as you go

PubNub

With PubNub serverless platform it is easy for app developers to build in-app chat, send and receive live updates, and process real-time mapping for actual engagement. The PubNub Cloud Functions allows you to keep customization, control, and functionality without the expense of building in-house.

You can incorporate third-party features, like presence detections and push notifications. PubNub offers a list of Chat UIs and APIs so that you can run your in-app chat quickly and with the best practices for infrastructure and design baked in.

Moreover, PubNub supports extended functionality services (profanity filtering, automated business logic, and amazing communication with video and voice) and builds chats with no concurrency limits. Simply put, use the PubNub platform to build and operate apps that scale with built-in scalability.

Core Features

• In-app chat
• Geolocation
• Notifications

Pricing

• Start for free
• Plans start at $49 per month

Kinvey

Kinvey is a serverless platform used for developing multichannel applications. You gain access to various tools that help you build robust, multi-channel apps which are deployed on front-end SDKs and cloud backend.

The apps built with Kinvey will automatically scale to the highest levels while merging with legacy systems and existing cloud across data. This serverless architecture offers cognitive and engagement services.

Kinvey provides a feature-filled Backend-as-a-Service solution and offers multi-platform support that dramatically reduces the effort of app developers required in bringing mobile apps to market.

Swiftly virtualize contrasting applications with low-code micro-services, accelerate sub-second data with multilevel cache design, and scale mobile, chat, and website applications effortlessly. 

Core Features

• Microservices
• Cloud Functions
• Data virtualization

Pricing

• Free Trial
• Plans start at $2,500 per year

Azure Cloud Functions

Azure Cloud Functions is a cloud platform that provides updated resources and infrastructure needed to run mobile and web applications effortlessly. The reliable and secure Azure Functions handle infrastructure, save on cost deploy and maintain servers, while you only focus on the pieces of code.

The Azure Cloud Functions is a Function-as-a-Service (FaaS) platform that is very similar to that of Amazon’s. But they have their associated triggers and integrated services. Apart from these services, this can be a perfect alternative to AWS Lambda. 

Every application requires a path to execute codes as various events take place. Azure Functions help you meet this requirement by providing ‘compute on-demand’ facilities. This works in two remarkable ways:

First, you get the opportunity to integrate the system’s logic with the blocks of code (functions) and run the functions whenever you need to acknowledge vital events.

Second, Azure Functions meet the demands for increasing requests by deploying the functions and resources as necessary. As requests start falling, the extra applications and resources also drop off automatically.

Here lies the essence of working with a serverless approach like Azure Cloud Functions where you get access to as few or as many compute resources as you need to meet your app’s demand.

Core Features

• Automated scaling
• End-to-end development experience
• Supports multiple programming languages

Pricing

• Consumption Plan
• Premium Plan
• Azure App Service

Firebase

Firebase is a mobile platform developed by Google that helps mobile and web app developers quickly develop top-notch quality applications. Developers can extend Firebase features and integrate them with the developed applications through the addition of server-side codes.

These features include getting access to an array of fully managed mobile-centric services (Real-time, analytics, and authentication database). Moreover, app developers can add heavyweight custom logic to mobile devices, and integrate apps with external services like sending and receiving SMS messages and processing payments.

There is an additional advantage for developers who use Firebase Cloud Function- use Firebase SDK to configure functions by coding and integrate their functions with Firebase CLI and Firebase Console. Therefore, if you need a fully-featured backend, Firebase Cloud Functions can provide you with a gateway to the dynamic capacity in Google Cloud Platform. 

Core Features

• NoSQL databases
• Analytics
• Notifications

Pricing

• Free Tier
• Pay as you go

Twilio Functions

The Twilio Functions is a serverless environment that enables app developers to receive Twilio requests and create event-driven and production-grade applications that scale your business.

You can offload any functional burden to Twilio Function and skip maintaining the required infrastructure. Twilio works in a Node 12 powered environment that empowers auto-scaling to meet the increased demands of your Twilio applications.

Twilio Functions also allows you to integrate with a programmable Voice to send, calling, and text messaging features without managing servers and infrastructure. All you need is a few Node 12 codes and a Twilio account.

Core Features

• Serverless
• Autoscaling
• Integrations

Pricing

• Pay as you go

Conclusion

This brings you to an end to the topic ‘Best Serverless Platforms’. This context has helped you learn about what serverless computing is and why an organization should definitely go with this amazing approach. 

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