Internal Developer Platform vs. Internal Developer Portal: What to choose?

#Defining the Terms: A Quick Recap

#Internal Developer Platform

An Internal Developer Platform acts as a foundational layer that supports the software development life cycle (SDLC). It provides a set of tools to build, test, and deploy applications, often integrating seamlessly with your existing infrastructure.

#Internal Developer Portal

The Internal Developer Portal serves as the interface layer above the Internal Developer Platform. It focuses on user experience and provides an interactive interface to access the tools and services that the Internal Developer Platform offers.

For more details - Read our article on Internal Developer Platform vs. Internal Developer Portal: What's the difference?

#Considerations for Choice

#Scale and Complexity

Internal Developer Platform: Opt for an Internal Developer Platform when your organization has reached a point where manual operations are not scalable, and you need automated, self-service capabilities.

Internal Developer Portal: An Internal Developer Portal can be a lighter commitment for smaller projects or teams who are more focused on a user-friendly interface rather than underlying capabilities.

#Budget Constraints

Internal Developer Platform: Typically requires more investment, both in terms of initial setup and maintenance.

Internal Developer Portal: Could be less expensive if you are only looking for a user interface layer above existing services.

#Long-term Strategy

Internal Developer Platform: Ideal if you are planning to significantly scale your operations and require a robust, flexible backbone.

Internal Developer Portal: Suitable for short-term goals where quick onboarding and ease of use are the primary considerations.

#Scenarios: What to Choose When

#You Aim for Developer Independence

Choose Internal Developer Platform: Platforms like Qovery enable developers to operate independently, offering self-service capabilities and a wide range of features from testing to ephemeral environments.

#You Need to Align Multiple Teams

Choose Internal Developer Portal: Developer Portals can centralize access to multiple tools and services, thereby aligning different development teams more effectively.

#Your Primary Focus is Cost-Efficiency

Choose Internal Developer Platform: In the long run, Internal Developer Platforms can offer more value for money by automating numerous operational aspects, thereby cutting down the man-hours required.

#You're In the Experimentation Phase

Choose Internal Developer Portal: If you're not ready for a full-scale transformation but want to improve developer experience, a portal can be a good starting point.

#Conclusion

The choice between an Internal Developer Platform and an Internal Developer Portal depends on a variety of factors such as scale, budget, and long-term strategy. For organizations looking to scale and automate, an Internal Developer Platform like Qovery is a prudent choice. Conversely, if the immediate need is to enhance user experience without significant overhaul, an Internal Developer Portal may be more appropriate.

By understanding your organization’s specific needs, timelines, and goals, you can make a more informed choice and maximize the value you get from either an Internal Developer Platform or an Internal Developer Portal.

Do you still have any doubts about what to choose? Contact us with the chat button or by booking a demo.