Architecture
Monolith vs Microservices
When a monolith is the right choice and when to invest in microservices architecture.
| Dimension | Monolith | Microservices |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Low | High |
| Deployment | Single unit | Independent services |
| Team Size | 1-10 developers | 10+ developers |
| Scaling | Scale entire app | Scale individual services |
| Debugging | Straightforward | Distributed tracing needed |
| Initial Speed | Very fast | Slower setup |
When to Use Each
When to Use Monolith
- Early-stage startups and MVPs
- Small teams (under 10 developers)
- Well-defined, bounded domain
- Speed to market is critical
When to Use Microservices
- Large teams working on independent features
- Need to scale specific components independently
- Different services need different tech stacks
- Organizational boundaries align with service boundaries
Our Verdict
Start with a well-structured monolith. Migrate to microservices only when you hit real scaling or team-size bottlenecks.