Cloud vs Virtualization: What’s the difference between Cloud Computing and Virtualization?

Difference between Cloud Computing vs. Virtualization

How is Virtualization different from Cloud Computing?

Let’s understand between the basic difference between Cloud Computing and Virtualization.

  • A Virtualization is a software that virtualizes your hardware into multiple machines while Cloud computing is the combination of multiple hardware devices. Means, Virtualization is a methodology while Cloud computing is a technology.
  • Cloud computing is good for public use while Virtualization is good for IT companies.
  • In general, the cost of using the cloud computing is much lower than implementing virtualization.
  • Cloud computing is easier and more cost-effective to implement for smaller companies while Virtualization is the smarter choice and can save money for medium and large size companies.
  • Cloud computing is very flexible for all users access. Users can access its cloud from any location with active internet while in virtualization; proper authentication is required before accessing the virtual machines.
  • Setting up cloud is very tedious task while in case of virtualization, it is very simple to setup virtual environment.
  • Cloud computing works on IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) while virtualization is based upon SaaS (Software as a Service).
  • Cloud Computing deliver variable resources to groups of users for a variety of purposes while in virtualization, deliver packaged resources to specific users for a specific purpose.
  • Template-based configuration used in cloud computing while in Virtualization, Image-based configuration used.
  • In cloud computing, accessibility can be done from all over the world while in virtualization; proper permission is required for accessing from outside the network.
  • Cloud computing depend on virtualization while virtualization doesn’t depend upon cloud computing environment.
  • Cloud can be extended as much as you want while Virtual machine configuration limits its scalability.
  • Multiple hardware creates a cloud computing while in case of virtualization, dedicated hardware required for multiple virtual machines.