Until recently, servers were rented, configured, and maintained manually. Then came Docker, Kubernetes and CI/CD. And now — Serverless: you just write a function, and it runs when you need it. No servers, no updates, and no sleepless nights.
Sounds perfect. But is that the case in practice in 2025?
Let's figure out whether it is worth switching to Serverless, who the classic backend is suitable for, and why many companies use both approaches at the same time 👇
🧠 In short: what is the point
Approach | What is it? |
|---|---|
🧱 Classic backend | Server application running continuously. Often on Node, Python, Java, Go. |
☁️ Serverless | Code as a function (FaaS) that runs only on request. No servers. |
⚙️ Example: how an API request works
Step | Classic backend | Serverless |
|---|---|---|
User sends a request | The server receives and processes | Function is loading, executing |
The code is stored on | Virtual machine / container | Cloud platform (AWS Lambda, Cloud Functions, etc.) |
Payment | During server operation (always) | Only for calls |
📊 Comparison of approaches
Parameter | Classic backend | Serverless |
|---|---|---|
💸 Cost | Fixed, depends on the load | Paying for calls may be more profitable |
⚡ Speed | Always "warm", the response is stable | Cold start possible |
📦 Ease of deployment | Requires DevOps skills | Usually 1 command or CI |
🧩 Flexibility | Full control | There are platform restrictions |
🛠 Scalability | Manual setup required | Scales automatically |
📁 Long processes, cron | No problem | Requires workarounds (for example, through queues) |
🧠 Local development | Full | Need to emulate the platform |
🕹 Where does Serverless really win?
Prototypes, MVPs and startups 🚀
Event calculation logic (file download, payment, email)
Applications without constant load
Processing queues, webhooks
When automatic scalability is important
🧱 And where is the classic better?
If you need a stable response without delay
If there are many background tasks
When the app is running 24/7
If a complex architecture is being built
When you need full control over the infrastructure
🤯 What changed in 2025?
Serverless has become easier: SDK, templates, less pain with debugging
The classic backend has become a DevOps machine: CI, microservices, auto-deploy
Frameworks (Next.js, Nuxt, Remix) support hybrid architecture
Multi-runtime: part of the code on the server, part — Serverless
🔮 Who won?
No one. Flexibility wins: you can combine both approaches and use the best of each.
"Business logic on Serverless, heavy API and tasks on a regular backend."
In our projects, you write the backend both manually (Node, Python) and Serverless functions. You learn to choose an approach for the task — and not because it is a "trend".