Cloud-Native Applications Vs. Bare Metal Applications

For most businesses, choosing between cloud-native applications and bare metal is not a question of either/or but of choosing the right option for the right situation. With that in mind, here is a practical comparison of cloud-native vs bare metal apps

Cloud-native applications

Here is a quick guide to what you need to know about cloud-native applications.

Security

Cloud-native applications are deployed in multi-tenant cloud environments, exposing them to risks associated with shared infrastructure. Cloud providers implement robust security measures such as encryption, identity management, and compliance with industry standards.

That said, security responsibilities are shared; while providers handle the underlying infrastructure, organizations must manage application-level security, including configurations and access controls.

This model is effective for applications that need rapid deployment and broad accessibility, such as SaaS platforms, but requires diligent security practices to mitigate potential risks.

Performance

Cloud-native applications use virtualization and containerization technologies, which can introduce performance overhead due to the abstraction layers and shared resources.

Factors like network latency and resource contention can affect application performance. While these technologies facilitate dynamic scaling and flexibility, they may not match the performance of bare metal environments.

Cloud-native applications are ideal for scenarios where scalability and resource management are prioritized, such as e-commerce sites or data analytics platforms, where flexibility can sometimes outweigh raw performance requirements.

Scalability and flexibility

Cloud-native applications excel in scalability and flexibility through horizontal scaling and automation. Technologies such as Kubernetes and serverless computing enable applications to adjust resources dynamically based on demand.

This model supports varying workloads efficiently, accommodating traffic spikes or changes in usage patterns. For instance, cloud-native applications are well-suited for seasonal promotions or streaming services with fluctuating viewer numbers.

Cost

With public clouds, initial costs are minimal as there is no need for extensive hardware investment. Ongoing costs can, however, become very high very quickly, especially with on-demand pricing. Effective cost management therefore involves continuous optimization of resource use to prevent unexpected expenses. Public clouds are, therefore, generally most cost-effective when used to extend the capabilities of other infrastructure.

Ease of management

Cloud-native applications benefit from advanced management tools and automation features offered by cloud platforms. Tools like CI/CD pipelines, container orchestration, and cloud management platforms simplify deployment, scaling, and monitoring, reducing the need for manual intervention. This means that cloud-native applications tend to be well-suited to dynamic environments where change is constant.

Bare metal applications

Here is a quick guide to what you need to know about bare metal applications.

Security

Bare metal applications run on dedicated servers. There is hence minimal risk of unauthorized access or data breaches due to the exclusive use of hardware. This model therefore suits high-security applications, such as financial services or sensitive data processing. In these cases, the added responsibility is balanced by enhanced protection and control over the security environment.

Performance

Bare metal applications provide direct access to physical hardware, eliminating virtualization overhead and ensuring low latency and high throughput. This setup is optimal for performance-intensive tasks like real-time data processing or high-frequency trading.

The predictable and stable performance of bare metal environments makes them suitable for applications with consistent, high-load demands.

Scalability and flexibility

Bare metal applications face limitations in scalability and flexibility. Horizontal scaling involves adding physical servers, which requires significant investment and time. Vertical scaling, or upgrading existing hardware, also has constraints.

While bare metal provides high performance and control, its rigid scaling options make it less adaptable to changing demands compared to cloud-native solutions. This model is therefore better suited for applications with stable workloads where long-term performance and control are critical. Examples of these include enterprise-level systems or dedicated servers for specific tasks.

Cost

Bare metal applications require substantial upfront investment for hardware and infrastructure setup. Although initial costs are high, operational expenses are generally lower and more predictable once the infrastructure is in place.

This cost structure benefits applications with consistent, high-demand workloads where avoiding recurring cloud fees justifies the initial expenditure.

Bare metal is cost-effective for long-term projects where the significant upfront investment is offset by stable and predictable operational costs. These might include critical business applications intended for long-term, heavy use.

Ease of management

Managing bare metal applications demands a more hands-on approach. This includes maintaining physical hardware, performing manual scaling, and ensuring continuous uptime.

While this provides greater control and the ability to optimize the environment for specific workloads, it requires substantial IT resources and expertise. Tasks such as hardware maintenance, network configuration, and software updates are more labor-intensive compared to cloud-native environments.

Despite these challenges, the deep control and customization available in bare metal setups are invaluable for businesses with specific performance requirements or regulatory constraints. Typical use cases include dedicated hosting services, custom-built enterprise solutions, and applications requiring specialized hardware configurations.