Serverless Computing vs. Containerized Microservices

 

• Deployment model: Serverless abstracts away servers and infrastructure, while containerized microservices require you to manage container runtimes and orchestration (like Kubernetes).

• Scalability: Serverless auto-scales instantly based on demand; containers scale through configured replicas and autoscaling rules.

• Cost structure: Serverless is pay-per-use with no cost for idle time, whereas containers usually incur costs even when services are idle.

• Control & customization: Containers offer more control over the environment and dependencies; serverless limits low-level access but simplifies operations.

• Latency & performance: Serverless may face cold start latency, while containers (especially long-running ones) provide more consistent performance.

• Use case fit: Serverless is ideal for event-driven, sporadic workloads; containerized microservices suit complex, always-on systems with interdependent services.