Top 10 Serverless Hosting Providers

Top 10 Serverless Hosting Providers

Developers all around the world are spending countless hours solving business problems with coding. Then it comes to ops teams to spend their days figuring out how to get code to run and then to make sure that programs are running smoothly. And managing systems to let the programs work smoothly is actually a never-ending task.

So, why not think about leaving that part on someone else. Over the past two decades, multiple innovations have arrived in IT, ranging from virtual machines to containers, cloud computing, and much more. All these solutions are meant to ease businesses and help them not to worry about the underlying machines on which these codes are running.

However, serverless computing has become an increasingly popular paradigm that takes this approach to a logical conclusion. In the serverless computing approach, you don’t have to know much about the OS or hardware on which your code will run. It is because all of this will be done by your service provider.

Do you want to know more about serverless computing who has created hype in the IT field? Let’s have a look at in-depth details of serverless computing so that you can get a better idea about things in this regard.

What is serverless computing?

Serverless computing is an effective method of providing backend services to the end users. It is a native cloud architecture that can help businesses shift most of their operational responsibilities to third-party service providers.

A serverless architecture helps businesses write and deploy code without worrying about the underlying infrastructure.

Serverless model is an amazing cloud execution model. In this cloud execution model cloud provider allocates and changes the users for the storage and computer resources that are required to execute a specific piece of code.

Although, there are servers included in this entire process, but the maintenance and provisioning of these servers is taken by the service providers. Users don’t have to be worried about any of these concerns at all. 

In the earlier days of web, the one who wanted to develop a web application, had to own and manage a physical hardware necessary to run a server.

This was an expensive and cumbersome undertaking. However, with the revolutions in the IT field, cloud came into existence with the basic objective of providing ease and convenience to users in the process of managing application infrastructure or servers.

However, at that time serverless computing was all about renting fixes server units space. But in most of the cases companies used to overdo this to ensure that a spike in any activity or traffic would not exceed the monthly limit of their services. It is because this could break their applications. But it clearly shows that much of the rented server space went to waste more often. 

However, when we talk about serverless architectures at the present time that means a BaaS and FaaS offerings. In this, businesses have to write code which tackles their business logic only, and then uploads that to a provider.

While, the provider will take care of entire container management, hardware provisioning, and virtual machine, as well as tasks such as multithreading which are usually build in applications code. 

Serverless functions are more commonly event driven which means the code will invoked only when it will be triggered by request. Any business who is going to utilize the services of serverless computing will be charged on the basis of their computation.

There is no need to reserve or pay for any fixed bandwidth amount or number of servers at all. It is because serverless computing service is auto scaling. 

Benefits of Serverless computing 

Whether you are developing a simple real-time chat application or working on your business application, there are tons of reasons to go serverless. Some of the benefits of going serverless we have enlisted here. So that you can get to know better reasons about this. 

Improved scalability 

If you are aiming at the present time to be the next Google, then, it is highly important to consider whether your server can handle that level of load or not.

A serverless architecture can let you roll with the punches. And, if your application will become successful and grows then stage changes that are accommodating growth will become easier for you. Even if it doesn’t, then still no harm will be done. 

More time to enhance user-experience

Surely, your application is being catered to the customers, but do you know the fact that customers don’t care about infrastructure. Even, they are not going to see the code working behind the applications they are utilizing.

The only thing they are concerned about is front end of your application and its user-experience. Fortunately, by adopting a serverless architecture, you are going to get a better opportunity to improve what users will experience with your application. Because you have more time to focus on frontend. 

Better latency 

Serverless architectures more often contain access points globally. It means handling users from all around the globe will be easier. This way, you can scale your services without affecting your application’s performance. 

Decreased cost 

Do you want to cut you development costs? Well, going serverless can be the best option to consider in this regard. It is because in this way, you will outsource managing databases, server, and some of application logic responsibilities.

Along with actual cost, serverless architecture uses less human and computing resources. It is because there is no need to build and manage a server on your own.

As serverless takes care of entire infrastructure, so you can focus on the services that matter. Amazingly, the cost will be based on pay as you go and depends on your use cases. 

Improved development management 

We understand the fact that application development process consists of multiple sub-steps from planning to development and then testing to deployment. Serverless architecture will give you an advantage to manage these development tasks more effectively. 

Easier deployment 

A serverless architecture could be perfect for your application. If you want to spin up any application faster, serverless is best for you to consider. It is because with this approach, instead of taking weeks to deploy an application, you can get done with your task within days or hours with ease.

The major reason behind that is you don’t have to grease your elbows in infrastructure management. Rather you need to focus on code and just release it immediately once it’s done. 

Enhanced flexibility 

It is easier to start implementation of an application with serverless architecture, as compared to traditional methods. It is because serverless computing means faster innovation. As you can see tangible results immediately return, you will be able to focus on the next project with ease.

Even more, you can also start building your next app feature or microservice to improve your app’s functionality. In a serverless architecture you are not bound to any constraints. Pivoting in situations is also easier when a restructure option is required. 

Improved efficiency 

In a serverless architecture, you have to pay as per your resource utilization. It means you will be charged only when you are going to use server. It clearly means the less waste is guaranteed in this situation.

Furthermore, it is more efficient also because you don’t have to be worried about scaling your resources at all. With serverless computing, DevOps, infrastructure, capacity planning and setup are no longer your concerns. 

Serverless Computing Downsides

As with every other service, there exist some downsides of serverless computing too. Have a look at the disadvantages enlisted below to get a better idea about what to expect from a serverless computing model actually. 

Debugging and testing can be difficult 

It is hard to replicate the serverless architecture environment in order to understand how your application code is going to perform after it has been deployed. This can make application testing and debugging more complicated as compared to testing and debugging in other traditional means.

It is because developers will not be able to have visibility into the processes of backend as application is broke up into smaller and separate functions. This can be the major concern of any application developer while utilizing a serverless architecture approach. 

Security concerns 

New security concerns have been introduced by serverless architectures. When vendors are running the entire backend services, then it can be difficult to vet their security completely. Which can be a problem for the applications handling sensitive or personal data. 

Serverless isn’t built for long running processes 

This can limit the applications that can run on serverless architecture cost-effectively. Because the provider will charge money for the code running amount. This approach will lead to higher cost for applications possessing long running procedures. 

Performance can be affected 

As serverless is not running consistently, therefore you may need to boot it up when used. Ultimately, this startup time will degrade the performance of your application.

However, if a code has been used already then, the provider will keep it as ready to be activated and request for this ready to use code will not take longer to be executed. 

Risk of vendor lock-in is present there 

As in serverless architecture approach all the backend services will be provided by vendors. Therefore, this can increase the risks of vendor lock-in.

Even more, setting up your entire backend services with one vendor can cause difficulty in switching vendors when necessary. Especially when every vendor might be offering different features. 

The top 10 serverless providers

Have a look at our top 10 serverless computing providers in 2021. Here is the vendors list:

ProviderCategoryDescription
Back4AppBaaSLow-code backend to build modern apps
AWS LambdaFaaSEvent-driven, serverless computing platform 
KinveyBaaSServerless app development platform to build multichannel applications
CloudFlare WorkersFaaSPlatform to deploy serverless code instantly worldwide.
Google Cloud FunctionsFaaSEvent-driven, serverless computing platform 
IBM Cloud FunctionsFaaSEvent-driven, serverless computing platform 
ParseBaaSOpen-source backend platform to build apps fast
KNativeFaaSServerless containers platform running on Kubernetes.
Microsoft Azure FunctionsFaaSEvent-driven, serverless computing platform 
Oracle FunctionsFaaSEvent-driven, serverless computing platform 

Keep reading to know more about the best serverless computing companies.

Back4app 

Back4app is one of the most amazing serverless backend application development platform which is meant to allow developers to create applications superfast.

It can help them to build backend without writing any code. Even more, developers will be able to host their applications with back4app without any hassle of managing and scaling infrastructure. There are no technical locks which can stop your applications to grow. 

Back4app is offering different approaches. It has combined open-source technologies with a vast range of propriety features and can offer developers a box tool.

This is not only amazing to provide developers the speed they need to create and deploy their applications quickly. But also offers the flexibility of scaling resources for their applications as per needs. 

Value proposition

Clearly, back4app is super easier to understand and meant to develop applications at lightening speed. 

Pricing

Free version available but premium option starts from $5 monthly.

AWS Lambda 

AWS Lambda is one of the most interesting FaaS service vendor which is meant to help you to run code without managing or provisioning a server. AWS Lambda can be considered as an effective even-driven platform which works when a function is going to be triggered. It will execute the code which will be loaded in function only. 

However, this is an effective yet efficient serverless computing vendor which is by Amazon web Services. It will allow you to write self-contained applications or develop functions in various languages. While, you can upload your coded functions on AWS Lambda to ensure efficient, effective and flexible execution.

Value proposition

AWS Lambda helps to invent complete serverless space and is standard against which other serverless services are being measured. 

Pricing

Free Tier available, while, paid services are based on pay as you go pricing model. 

Kinvey

Kinvey is an exciting enterprise-centric development platform which keeps on launching interesting features on a consistent basis. So that developers can keep their applications up to date in the best possible way.

This serverless vendor is allowing developers to develop and run their applications on private or dedicated cloud. However, this solution is meant to enable application developers and enterprisers to deliver feature-rich, unique and up to date applications in a more effective way.

This is one of the high productivity development platforms which is offering a complete toolset to rely on. With this solution, developers and enterprisers will be able to develop robust channels with the help of its cloud-based backend services along with frontend SDKs. 

Value proposition

An enterprise-centric backend solution which is meant to cut cost and time required for development processes. 

Pricing

Free Version available, while pro version starts from $ 2,500 monthly. 

Cloudflare Workers 

Cloudflare workers is meant to change the way developers used to develop and manage their applications. It will let you deploy your serverless code to data centers available across 90 countries and more than 200 cities.

This serverless architecture solution is meant to offer exceptional reliability and performance. Furthermore, you can deploy your code to all the data centers within 15 seconds only and can run your application within milliseconds to multiple locations.

Value proposition

Cloudflare is popular for its CDN, but with Workers it offers serverless capabilities with low latency. This can make it a good choice where at the edge responsiveness is necessary. 

Pricing

Free tier available, Pro version available at 0.50/million requests monthly.

Google Cloud Functions

This is a serverless compute platform which can let you run your code in cloud or locally both without any worry of managing servers. It offers plenty of delivery and monitoring solutions which can let you track your application as well as cloud service solutions with ease.

Most amazingly, it is helping developers to focus more on writing their applications’ code, without being worried about the difficult aspects of creating, managing and deploying their applications. 

Value proposition

This solution is ideal for organizations who are already using Google Cloud because it provides effective integrations with other Google services with a familiar interface. 

Pricing

Free Spark plan available, pro version starts from $0.40/million invocations. 

IBM Cloud Functions 

IBM Cloud functions is an exciting distributed computing service which can execute application functions in response to requests. Users can also set up specific actions on the basis of API requests.

If you are looking for a serverless architecture which is meant to offer you beyond just function execution, then this solution is meant for you. It is because its integrated performance monitoring can help you track how your serverless deployments are working. 

Value proposition

IBM Cloud Functions in a perfectly suited serverless architecture for organizations looking for Apache OpenWhisk project based serverless approach. 

Pricing

Pro version starts from $0.000017 execution’s per second 

Parse 

Parse is another amazing option which can be considered as the best serverless vendor. This is an open-source solution which is being backed by a massive community of developers who are working hard to improve the users experience with Parse.

Parse server is offering an amazing variety of features ranging from data modeling, real-time databases to social integrations, push notifications, email notifications and much more. 

Parse is meant to help developers to utilize ready to use backend services. so that they can get more time to focus on their business logic or offering enhanced user experience with ease.

Parse can also help developers to speed up their development processes and achieve their application development deadlines before time in the best possible way. 

Value proposition

Parse is meant to speedup development process and can help developers focus more on core functionalities of their applications. 

Pricing

Parse server is available for free download. 

Knative 

Knative is an effective serverless architecture solution which was developed by Google originally in contribution of more than 50 companies. However, Knative is meant to deliver an effective and efficient set of components which is required to build and run serverless applications in the best possible way.

Knative is offering an amazing range of features including autoscaling, zero to scale, eventing framework, in cluster builds, for efficient cloud native applications. Whether it is about on premises, in third party data centers or in the cloud, Knative confides the best practices which can help developers and companies to manage their applications in a more amazing way. 

Value proposition

Knative is an amazing solution which is being backed by multiple vendors and the promise of this serverless architecture is that it will provide an effective way to have serverless functions athwart multi-way deployments soon.

Pricing

Pay as you go 

Microsoft Azure Functions 

Azure Functions is an exciting serverless compute which is meant to help developers in executing event triggered code, without being stuck in infrastructure management and provisioning.

As Azure functions is offering triggered based solution, therefore, it can easily run a code script in response to a wider range of events. Most amazingly, Azure Functions can effectively be used for reusability, decoupling, shared and higher throughput in a more effective way.

Surprisingly, Azure Functions is one of the most reliable serverless architecture solutions, which can work perfectly for higher production environments in the best possible way. Furthermore, it supports multiple languages including JavaScript, C#, Node.js, F# and much more. 

Value proposition

Azure Functions is attractive and ideal solution for organizations which are using virtual studio code already. It can provide a simple path to development and deployment of serverless functions. 

Pricing

Free Services available, pro version starts from $0.000016/GB-s

Oracle Functions 

Oracle Functions is a serverless architecture vendor which is offering container-based solutions for effective serverless deployment. All the functions in this solution are packaged as effective docker containers which makes it easier and faster for users to build and deploy their solutions.

Even more, this vendor is offering an open-source Fn project foundation which means that there are lesser lock-in risks as users will be able to develop functions which are going to run in Oracle Functions service as well as in other deployment based on Fn project. 

Value proposition

Oracle Functions can be a better choice for the organizations looking for container-based solutions for serverless deployment. 

Pricing

Pro services start from US$0.00001417 for over 400,000 every month. 

When it comes to choose the best serverless vendors then the availability of vast options in the market can make it a tough decision. However, to provide you ease, we have brought top 10 serverless vendors here. Knowing about each in details given above will certainly help you to understand that which of these will work perfectly for you.

General FAQ

What is serverless computing?

Serverless computing is an effective method of providing backend services to the end users. It is basically a native cloud architecture which can help businesses to shift most of their operational responsibilities to the third-party service providers. A serverless architecture helps businesses to write and deploy code without being worried about the underlying infrastructure at all. 

What are the benefits of serverless?

– Scalability
– Lower Cost
– Better Latency

What are the top ten serverless providers?

– Back4app
– AWS Lambda
– Azure Functions
– Google Cloud Functions
– Oracle Functions
– Parse
– Knative
– Kinvey
– IBM Cloud Functions
– Cloudflare Workers


Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.