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Web Apps vs. Web Services

Web Apps vs. Web Services

Discover web apps vs. web services. This guide defines both, offers examples and compares scalability, security, and user interaction.

Written by RamotionFeb 19, 20255 min read

Last updated: Feb 20, 2025

Introduction

Web applications and services enable functionality, enhance user experiences, and drive innovation. As any web app dev agency knows, these two components are interdependent and work together to create seamless, efficient, and scalable solutions.

Web applications are interactive software programs that users access through web browsers. They provide a user-friendly interface and a range of features tailored to specific tasks or services.

On the other hand, web services are software systems designed to facilitate communication and data exchange between different applications or components. They act as intermediaries, enabling applications to access and leverage external services, data sources, or functionalities.

Defining web services

What is web service?

Web services are software systems that facilitate communication and data exchange between applications or components over the Internet.

They act as intermediaries, enabling various software applications to interact and share data seamlessly, regardless of their underlying programming languages or platforms.

Web services' primary purpose is to provide a standardized way for applications to communicate and exchange data without extensive custom coding. They achieve this by defining rules and protocols governing how data is transmitted, received, and interpreted between different systems.

Web services function by exposing a set of operations or methods that other applications can invoke remotely. These operations are typically described using a standardized language, such as Web Services Description Language (WSDL) or RESTful API specifications.

Examples of popular web services

Google Maps API

Google Maps API is a web service that provides mapping data, geocoding, directions, and other location-based services.

Developers can embed Google Maps into their applications, enabling features like displaying interactive maps, calculating travel routes, and identifying nearby places. This API is widely used in various industries, including transportation, logistics, and travel.

Stripe

Stripe is a web service that facilitates online payment processing. It allows businesses to accept and manage payments securely through their websites or applications. Developers can integrate Stripe into their e-commerce platforms, enabling customers to purchase using various payment methods, such as credit cards, digital wallets, and bank transfers.

OpenWeatherMap

Open Weather Map is a web service that provides real-time and forecasted weather data. It offers APIs that allow developers to retrieve weather information, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation, for specific locations worldwide.

This service is commonly used in weather applications, travel platforms, and agricultural applications to provide users with accurate and up-to-date weather information.

Defining web applications

What is web application?

Web applications, often called web apps, are software programs designed to run on web browsers and provide an interactive user experience.

Unlike traditional desktop applications, web apps are accessible through the internet or a local network, eliminating the need for installation on individual devices.

At their core, web applications are user-facing software solutions that leverage web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to deliver dynamic and responsive content. They are built to offer a seamless and intuitive interface, allowing users to perform various tasks, access information, and interact with data in real time.

Web applications' primary purpose is to provide a centralized platform for users to access and interact with digital services, tools, or resources. These applications can range from simple informational websites to complex productivity suites, e-commerce platforms, or cloud-based software solutions.

Everyday use cases for web applications include:

Productivity and collaboration tools: Web-based office suites, project management tools, and team collaboration platforms that enable users to create, edit, and share documents, manage tasks, and communicate effectively.
E-commerce and online marketplaces: Online stores, shopping carts, and marketplaces that allow users to browse, purchase, and manage products or services seamlessly through their web browsers.
Social networks and communities: Platforms that facilitate social interactions, content sharing, and networking among users, fostering online communities and enabling real-time communication.
Banking and financial services: Online banking portals, investment platforms, and financial management tools that provide secure access to personal accounts, transactions, and financial data.
Educational and learning platforms: Web-based learning management systems, online courses, and educational resources enable students and learners to access educational materials, submit assignments, and participate in virtual classrooms.

Examples of popular web applications

Gmail

Gmail is a free email service provided by Google that allows users to send and receive emails and manage their inboxes, contacts, and calendars. Key features of Gmail include robust spam filtering, generous storage space, and seamless integration with other Google services like Drive and Meet.

Trello

Trello is a visual project management tool that utilizes boards, lists, and cards to help teams collaborate and organize their tasks. Its key features include easy drag-and-drop functionality, customizable boards and cards, and integration with various other productivity apps.

Canva

Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that allows individuals and teams to create stunning visuals, including social media graphics, presentations, and marketing materials. Its key features include a vast library of templates, design elements, fonts, and collaboration tools for seamless teamwork.

Web applications vs web services: a detailed comparison

td>Web services also require security measures to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data exchanged between applications or systems. This may involve implementing secure authentication and authorization protocols, encrypting data in transit and at rest, and implementing access controls and rate limiting to prevent abuse or denial-of-service attacks.

Aspect	Web applications	Web services
Definition and purpose	Web applications are software programs designed to run in web browsers, providing user-friendly interfaces and interactive functionality.	Web services are software systems designed to facilitate communication and data exchange between different applications or components over a network, typically using standardized protocols like HTTP or [SOAP](https://www.ramotion.com/blog/soap-in-web-services/).
Interaction with users	Web applications are user-facing and designed for direct interaction with end-users through graphical user interfaces (GUIs). They provide a rich, interactive experience, allowing users to input data, navigate through different pages or views, and perform various actions.	Web services operate behind the scenes and are not directly accessed by end-users. Instead, they interact with other applications or systems, exchanging data and functionality as required. Users typically interact with the applications that consume web services, rather than the web services themselves.
Underlying technology	Web applications are typically built using a combination of client-side technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with server-side languages like PHP, Python, or Node.js. They rely on web browsers to render and execute the client-side code, while the server-side code handles data processing, business logic, and communication with databases or other systems.	Web services can be built using various technologies and programming languages, depending on the specific requirements and the platforms they need to integrate with. Common technologies include REST (Representational State Transfer), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and messaging protocols like AMQP (Advanced Message Queuing Protocol).
Performance and scalability	Web applications need to be optimized for performance and responsiveness, as they are directly accessed by users. Techniques like caching, code minification, and content delivery networks (CDNs) are often employed to improve performance. Scalability can be achieved through load balancing, horizontal scaling (adding more servers), or leveraging cloud computing resources.	Web services are designed to be scalable and handle high volumes of requests from multiple applications or systems. They often employ techniques like load balancing, caching, and asynchronous processing to ensure efficient performance and scalability. Horizontal scaling and cloud computing can also be leveraged for web services.
Examples and use cases	Popular web applications include email clients (Gmail, Outlook Web App), project management tools (Trello, Asana), online office suites (Google Docs, Microsoft Office Online), and e-commerce platforms (Amazon, eBay). Web applications are widely used for various purposes, such as productivity, collaboration, entertainment, and online shopping.	Well-known web services include mapping APIs (Google Maps API, Mapbox), payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal), weather data services (OpenWeatherMap, AccuWeather), and social media APIs (Twitter API, Facebook Graph API). Web services are commonly used by developers to integrate third-party functionality into their applications, such as maps, payment processing, real-time data, and social media integration.
Security considerations	Web applications must implement robust security measures to protect user data and prevent unauthorized access or attacks. This includes secure authentication and authorization mechanisms, input validation, encryption of sensitive data, and protection against common web application vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).

Conclusion

Web applications and services play distinct yet complementary roles in the modern digital ecosystem. While web applications are user-facing software that provides interactive and engaging experiences, web services operate behind the scenes, enabling seamless communication and data exchange between different applications.

The true power of these technologies lies in their synergy. Web applications leverage the functionality provided by web services to offer rich, feature-packed experiences to users. Conversely, web services rely on web applications as a medium to deliver their capabilities to end-users in a meaningful and accessible way.

As technology evolves, the interdependence between web applications and web services will only grow stronger, enabling innovative solutions that push the boundaries of what's possible in the digital realm.