AWS App Mesh vs Envoy: What are the differences?

Introduction:

AWS App Mesh and Envoy are both tools used in modern application development and deployment. While they have similarities, there are key differences that set them apart.

1. Scalability and Load Balancing: AWS App Mesh provides a fully managed service for service mesh architecture, which includes automatic scaling and load balancing capabilities. It utilizes the underlying infrastructure of AWS to dynamically adjust resources and route traffic efficiently. On the other hand, Envoy is an open-source proxy that offers similar capabilities but requires manual configuration and management for scalability and load balancing.

2. Flexibility and Customization: Envoy allows for more flexibility and customization compared to AWS App Mesh. With Envoy, developers have more control over the configuration and can fine-tune the proxy behavior according to their specific needs. AWS App Mesh, being a managed service, provides a more standardized and less customizable approach.

3. Multi-Cloud Support: AWS App Mesh is specifically designed for use with AWS services and fully integrates with the AWS ecosystem. It provides seamless integration with other AWS tools and services, making it well-suited for applications running on AWS infrastructure. On the other hand, Envoy is cloud-agnostic and can be deployed in multiple cloud environments, making it a more versatile choice for applications running on different cloud providers.

4. Ecosystem Integration: AWS App Mesh is tightly integrated with various AWS services such as Amazon ECS, Amazon EKS, and AWS Lambda. This integration allows for easy adoption and management of the service mesh architecture within the AWS ecosystem. In contrast, Envoy can be integrated with different platforms and frameworks, providing a wider range of options for application development and deployment.

5. Managed Service vs Self-Managed: One of the key differences between AWS App Mesh and Envoy is the management aspect. AWS App Mesh is a fully managed service provided by AWS, meaning that the infrastructure and operational tasks are handled by AWS. This allows developers to focus more on application development rather than infrastructure management. In contrast, Envoy requires manual configuration and management, requiring more effort and expertise from the developers.

6. Pricing Model: AWS App Mesh follows the pay-as-you-go pricing model typical of AWS services, where users pay for the resources consumed by their applications. The pricing is based on factors such as the number of requests received, data transferred, and the number of mesh resources used. Envoy, being an open-source tool, does not have a specific pricing model. However, deployment and management costs may be incurred due to the need for self-management and infrastructure provisioning.

In Summary, AWS App Mesh is a fully managed service provided by AWS and tightly integrated with the AWS ecosystem, offering scalability, load balancing, and ease of use. Envoy, on the other hand, is an open-source proxy that provides more flexibility, multi-cloud support, and customization options at the cost of self-management and manual configuration.