Azure Web App vs App Service – What’s the Difference?
Azure Web App vs App Service – What’s the Difference? Technology is ever changing, and so is the Azure platform. Tech specialists are always in a dilemma when choosing the best service for their web app development needs. To help you sort out this confusion, we have come up with this blog title, that will help you understand the difference between Azure Web App and App Service.
Regarding the cloud based hosting options for web applications, Azure Web Apps and App Service are two of the most popular choices. But what’s the difference between them? And which one should you choose for your project? In this article, we’ll look at the key differences between Azure Web Apps and App Service and help you decide which is best for you.
Shall we start with Azure Web App vs App Service – What’s the Difference?
What is Azure Web App?
Hosting web apps on Azure is made possible by one of Azure’s most popular services, Web Apps. It hosts user interactive applications and backend services such as WCF Services and Web APIs. Web apps enable us to harness the resources of Microsoft Azure to create programs that are both robust and adaptable, safe and simple to use, and available through the internet.
Features of Azure Web App
- Assurance of Safety and Observance of Regulations
App Service meets all the ISO, SOC, and PCI compliance requirements. Additionally, users may sign in using the following services: Azure Active Directory, Facebook; Google, Twitter; or Microsoft.
- Controlled Production Setting
Web App takes care of security updates and updates to the underlying frameworks for your operating system and programming language efficiently.
- Global Reach and Accessibility
You may adjust the scale by yourself or let the computer do it. In addition, web Apps allow you to place your applications in any of Microsoft’s cloud data centers around the world.
- Auto-Scaling
Azure Web Apps automatically scale up or down according to demand, so you only pay for the resources you use.
- Built-In Availability
Azure Web Apps come with built in availability, so your app will always be up and running, even if one of the Azure servers goes down. As a result, your users will always have a great experience, and you won’t have to worry about maintaining your servers.
- Serverless Code
Azure Web Apps support serverless code, so you run your app without having to worry about provisioning or managing servers. Hence, worry free scaling and built in availability make Azure Web Apps the perfect platform for serverless code.
Pros of Azure Web App
- Azure Web Apps are easy to create, deploy and manage.
- Use your existing development tools, such as Visual Studio and GitHub, to work with.
- No need to worry about managing servers.
- Web Apps scale up or down as needed to meet demand.
- The pricing model is based on consumption, so you only pay for what you use.
- Your app is available globally with Azure’s global network.
Cons of Azure Web App
- The maximum database size is 1 GB.
- Only be suitable for applications that require a little storage.
- Speed can be problematic sometimes when the load is beyond measures.
What is Azure App Service?
Microsoft Azure App Service is a platform for hosting web and mobile applications. It may also be used to build logic applications or API apps that interact with SaaS. You may now get all of the Azure services in one bundle called Azure App Services. This includes the formerly separate Azure Website, Azure Mobile, and Azure BizTalk Services.
Microsoft Azure’s App Service provides your app with the same built in protections, load balancing, automatic scalability, and simplified administration that the rest of Microsoft Azure provides. In addition, DevOps capabilities include agile methodologies using Azure DevOps Docker Hub and other repositories, runtime environment, staging setups, configurable domains, TLS/SSL licenses, and more.
Features of Azure App Service
Image Source – ASP.NET Community Blogs
- DevOps Optimization
Surely, you can use the Azure App Service to quickly set up a robust and scalable DevOps pipeline for your web app. The platform makes it easy to deploy your code, track changes, and monitor the health of your app.
- High Availability and Fault Tolerance
Moreover, Azure App Service is designed to be highly available and fault tolerant. The platform automatically detects and corrects any problems with your app and provides detailed monitoring and logging to help you troubleshoot any issues.
- Scalability and Performance
In addition, Azure App Service automatically scales up or down to meet the demands of your users. The platform also provides performance monitoring and optimization tools to help you ensure that your app runs at peak efficiency.
- Pricing
Azure App Service is available in two pricing tiers: Basic and Standard. The Basic tier provides a lower cost option for apps that don’t need all the features of the Standard level. The Standard deck offers all the features of the Basic tier, plus additional features such as autoscaling and advanced performance monitoring.
- Containerization and Docker
Using Docker, you can use Azure App Service to containerize your web app quickly. The platform makes deploying and managing your containers easy and provides built-in integrations with popular container orchestration tools, such as Kubernetes.
Pros of Azure App Service
- You can handle managing the infrastructure.
- Azure takes care of all the patching, monitoring, and other operational tasks.
- You can quickly scale up or down to meet the demand.
- There is a wide range of built in DevOps capabilities.
Cons of Azure Web App
- It can be more expensive than other hosting options.
- You may have less control over the infrastructure.
Azure Web App vs App Service - What's the Difference
Image Source – Azure
Hosting
Azure Web App
On one hand, Web apps are hosted on Azure’s web hosting platform. The web hosting platform is a multi tenant service that supports multiple programming languages and development frameworks.
Azure App Service
On the other hand, Azure App Service is also hosted on Azure’s web hosting platform. However, in addition to web apps, it supports mobile apps, API apps, and logic apps.
Supported Frameworks
Azure Web App
Web apps on Azure support multiple programming languages and development frameworks, including ASP.NET, PHP, Node.js, and Python. You may also use common IDEs like Visual Studio and host management systems like GitHub.
Azure App Service
Although Azure App Service also supports multiple programming languages and development frameworks, it has a more limited selection. The supported frameworks for Azure App Service are ASP.NET, PHP, and Node.js.
Application Insights
Azure Web App
When you create a web app on Azure, Application Insights is automatically configured. This implies that you can skip setting up or configuring Application Insights for your web app.
Azure App Service
Basically, Azure App Service does not automatically configure Application Insights, you can still set it up for your app. It is worth noting that Application Insights are not available for all Azure App Service plans.
Operating System
Azure Web App
Azure App Service
Importantly, Azure App Service only supports Windows. It does not support Linux. Also, Azure App Service only supports the Windows Azure platform, not the Linux Azure platform.
Pricing
Azure Web App
Pricing for Azure Web App is based on the following factors:
- Number of web apps
- Number of CPU cores
- Amount of memory
- Number of transactions
- Data transfer
Azure App Service
Pricing for Azure App Service is based on the following factors:
- Number of web apps
- The Number of API apps
- Number of mobile and logic apps
Deployment Slots
Azure Web App
Comparatively, Azure Web App does not support deployment slots. In simple words, you cannot use deployment slots with Azure Web App since it is not possible to create multiple instances of Azure Web App.
Azure App Service
By comparison, Azure Web App, Azure App Service supports deployment slots. This means you create multiple instances of Azure App Service and use them for testing or staging purposes.
WebJobs
Azure Web App
Following, it supports WebJobs, allowing you to run your web app’s background tasks. These background tasks can be used for various purposes, such as data processing, image processing, or sending emails.
Azure App Service
Azure App Service also supports WebJobs. Just like Azure Web App, you can use WebJobs to run background tasks in your app.
Hybrid Connections
Azure Web App
Furthermore, Azure Web App does not support Hybrid Connections, so you cannot use Hybrid Connections with Azure Web App. This automatically limits the number of Azure services you can connect to your web app.
Azure App Service
Different to Azure App Service which supports Hybrid Connections. Use Hybrid Connections to connect your app to other Azure services and on-premises resources.
Authentication and Authorization
Azure Web App
For instance, authentication and authorization are not automatically configured when you create a web app on Azure. So, you will need to set up authentication and authorization for your web app.
Azure App Service
In contrast, Azure App Service automatically configures authentication and authorization for your app. The authentication methods solely depend on the type of app you create.
Azure Web App vs App Service - What to Choose?
Now comes the tricky part – deciding which to choose between Azure Web App vs App Service. Both services have their pros and cons, and it really depends on your needs and requirements as to which one you should choose.
However, if we had to recommend one, we will be looking more at Azure App Service, since it supports more programming languages, development frameworks, and features than Azure Web App.
Specifically saying, Azure App Service is a bit more expensive than Azure Web App. But we believe that the extra cost is worth it given the additional features and benefits you get with Azure App Service.
In summary, it all depends on your needs and requirements as to which one you should choose. If you need a simple web app that does not require too many features, then Azure Web App should suffice. Subsequently, if you need a more robust and feature rich web app, then Azure App Service is the way to go!
Thank you for reading Azure Web App vs App Service – What’s the Difference? We shall conclude.
Azure Web App vs App Service - What's the Difference Conclusion
Technology is ever changing and adjusts the world around us. In today’s day and age, almost everything is done with the help of technology. The same goes for businesses. Nowadays, businesses need to have a strong online presence to succeed.
This is where Azure Web App and Azure App Service come in. Both Azure services are designed to help businesses create and deploy web apps. So, consider wisely according to your business needs.
