All topicsTopic 04 / 24
Intermediate 1 minute
Monolith vs Microservices
The monolith-versus-microservices choice is a trade-off, not a maturity badge. Monoliths reduce moving parts and are usually easier to develop, test, and operate at small scale. Microservices help when teams, domains, or scaling needs are genuinely separate. Starting with clear modules in one application often preserves simplicity while leaving room to split later.
Key idea
Choose the smallest architecture that handles today's constraints, not tomorrow's hypothetical traffic.
See it in one picture
Follow the arrowsOne appSimple
Simple to start
Many servicesIndependent
Independent pieces
Real-world example
A five-person startup may keep billing and accounts in one modular app. A large company with separate teams and very different scaling needs may split those capabilities into services.
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