IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provides raw compute, storage, and networking resources. Customers retain control over operating systems, middleware, and applications; this makes IaaS the most flexible option, but also the most operationally demanding.
PaaS (Platform as a Service) traditionally refers to a fully managed application platform that includes predefined runtimes, frameworks, databases, and development tools. Classic proprietary PaaS offerings are highly opinionated: applications must be built and operated using the provider’s prescribed components and workflows. This approach is often too heavy for simple workloads or too limited for specialized requirements. On the other hand, newer approaches such as Mirantis k0rdent allow teams to assemble composable platforms tailored to specific workloads, enabling platform engineers to create a custom PaaS that can incorporate security, compliance, and cost controls as part of the platform definition.
SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers fully managed applications accessed by end users, with minimal control over the underlying infrastructure or platform. It requires the least operation effort but offers the least flexibility.
The key difference is the level of operational control versus responsibility. IaaS offers the most flexibility, while SaaS requires the least management effort.
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