Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AWS Lambda VS OnWorks

Compare AWS Lambda VS OnWorks and see what are their differences

AWS Lambda logo AWS Lambda

Automatic, event-driven compute service

OnWorks logo OnWorks

OnWorks is a free hosting provider that allows to run your workstations only using your web browser.
  • AWS Lambda Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-29
  • OnWorks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-24

AWS Lambda features and specs

  • Scalability
    AWS Lambda automatically scales your application by running your code in response to each trigger. This means no manual intervention is required to handle varying levels of traffic.
  • Cost-effectiveness
    You only pay for the compute time you consume. Billing is metered in increments of 100 milliseconds and you are not charged when your code is not running.
  • Reduced Operations Overhead
    AWS Lambda abstracts the infrastructure management layer, so there is no need to manage or provision servers. This allows you to focus more on writing code for your applications.
  • Flexibility
    Supports multiple programming languages such as Python, Node.js, Ruby, Java, Go, and .NET, which allows you to use the language you are most comfortable with.
  • Integration with Other AWS Services
    Seamlessly integrates with many other AWS services such as S3, DynamoDB, RDS, SNS, and more, making it versatile and highly functional.
  • Automatic Scaling and Load Balancing
    Handles thousands of concurrent requests without managing the scaling yourself, making it suitable for applications requiring high availability and reliability.

Possible disadvantages of AWS Lambda

  • Cold Start Latency
    The first request to a Lambda function after it has been idle for a certain period can take longer to execute. This is referred to as a 'cold start' and can impact performance.
  • Resource Limits
    Lambda has defined limits, such as a maximum execution timeout of 15 minutes, memory allocation ranging from 128 MB to 10,240 MB, and temporary storage up to 512 MB.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Using AWS Lambda ties you into the AWS ecosystem, making it difficult to migrate to another cloud provider or an on-premises solution without significant modifications to your application.
  • Complexity of Debugging
    Debugging and monitoring distributed, serverless applications can be more complex compared to traditional applications due to the lack of direct access to the underlying infrastructure.
  • Cold Start Issues with VPC
    When Lambda functions are configured to access resources within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), the cold start latency can be exacerbated due to additional VPC networking overhead.
  • Limited Execution Control
    AWS Lambda is designed for stateless, short-running tasks and may not be suitable for long-running processes or tasks requiring complex orchestration.

OnWorks features and specs

  • Access to Multiple Operating Systems
    OnWorks provides users with the ability to run various operating systems such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and CentOS from within their web browser, enabling flexibility and learning opportunities without the need for multi-booting or virtualization software.
  • Free to Use
    The platform offers a free tier, allowing users to access and utilize operating system instances without any monetary investment, which is beneficial for students, hobbyists, and developers.
  • Web-Based Convenience
    Being a web-based service, OnWorks can be accessed from any device with an internet connection and a browser, allowing for on-the-go access and reducing dependency on hardware.
  • Resource Availability
    OnWorks hosts a variety of software and applications, giving users the ability to test and use different programs without having to install them locally.
  • Easy to Use
    The platform is user-friendly and offers a straightforward interface, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge or experience.

Possible disadvantages of OnWorks

  • Performance Limitations
    As a browser-based virtual machine, the performance can be slower and more limited compared to running a native or locally-virtualized OS, which may not be suitable for heavy or resource-intensive applications.
  • Dependency on Internet
    Since it is a web-based service, a stable and fast internet connection is crucial for a smooth experience. Connectivity issues can disrupt workflow and access.
  • Limited Customization
    Users might find the level of customization and control over the virtual machines to be more limited compared to traditional virtualization platforms like VMware or VirtualBox.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Using a cloud-based service requires trusting OnWorks with data privacy and security, which may be a concern for users handling sensitive or personal data.
  • Usage Restrictions
    Free tiers often come with restrictions on usage time, available resources, or additional features that might be unlocked only through a subscription or paid plan.

Analysis of AWS Lambda

Overall verdict

  • AWS Lambda is a strong choice for developers looking for scalable, event-driven applications with minimal management overhead. It is particularly beneficial for applications that experience intermittent traffic or unpredictable workloads.

Why this product is good

  • AWS Lambda is a popular serverless computing service because it allows users to run code without provisioning or managing servers. It automatically scales applications by running code in response to triggers such as HTTP requests, changes in data, or system events. This can significantly reduce operational overhead and costs, as you only pay for the compute time you consume.

Recommended for

  • Developers building microservices or serverless applications.
  • Companies looking to reduce infrastructure management.
  • Startups wanting to quickly deploy applications with limited operational costs.
  • Organizations needing to integrate with other AWS services for a comprehensive solution.
  • Projects with unpredictable or variable workloads that require automatic scaling.

Analysis of OnWorks

Overall verdict

  • OnWorks is considered a useful tool for specific purposes, such as testing Linux distributions, educational use, and development. However, its performance might not match up to that of a local installation due to browser-based limitations, making it less suitable for resource-intensive tasks.

Why this product is good

  • OnWorks is a free hosting platform that allows users to run various types of Linux distributions directly from a web browser. It provides an accessible way for individuals to try out different Linux operating systems without needing to install them on their local machines. The platform is particularly convenient for users who need temporary access to a Linux environment or wish to learn about Linux without altering their system configurations.

Recommended for

    OnWorks is recommended for students, developers, and hobbyists who are looking to explore multiple Linux distributions. It's also valuable for users seeking a quick and hassle-free way to run Linux environments for learning, testing, or development purposes without committing to a full installation.

AWS Lambda videos

AWS Lambda Vs EC2 | Serverless Vs EC2 | EC2 Alternatives

More videos:

  • Tutorial - AWS Lambda Tutorial | AWS Tutorial for Beginners | Intro to AWS Lambda | AWS Training | Edureka
  • Tutorial - AWS Lambda | What is AWS Lambda | AWS Lambda Tutorial for Beginners | Intellipaat

OnWorks videos

OnWorks integration with Google Drive

More videos:

  • Review - Windows online theme Linux by onworks net
  • Review - Ubuntu19 online by onworks net

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AWS Lambda and OnWorks)
Cloud Computing
96 96%
4% 4
Web Hosting
0 0%
100% 100
Cloud Hosting
94 94%
6% 6
Hosting
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using AWS Lambda and OnWorks. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AWS Lambda and OnWorks

AWS Lambda Reviews

Top 7 Firebase Alternatives for App Development in 2024
AWS Lambda is suitable for applications with varying workloads and those already using the AWS ecosystem.
Source: signoz.io

OnWorks Reviews

We have no reviews of OnWorks yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AWS Lambda seems to be a lot more popular than OnWorks. While we know about 277 links to AWS Lambda, we've tracked only 11 mentions of OnWorks. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AWS Lambda mentions (277)

View more

OnWorks mentions (11)

  • Is there a way to run a VM through browser or something else?
    Hello, my pc is unable to run a vm locally due to lack of storage space, and I was wondering if there was a way to run a VM through alternative means? I've heard of onworks.net but it is a bit laggy and cant run the things im looking for (plus it looks a bit sketchy). I was wondering if there was a way to host a virtual machine through cloud or if there was some serivce I could use to run it remotely? If not, is... Source: over 2 years ago
  • It seems distrotest.net is offline (domain for sale).
    Also there is also https://onworks.net. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • I was searching for Minecraft mods and found a client called Hydrogen Client, apparently a free ghost client(it's on Github) I've scanned it using Kaspersky and it was clean. I don't want to get malware on my computer, any second thoughts from anyone.
    Use Virus total, as it scans it with every antivirus known to man, and scan it with Theia, while it might not work for 1.8, its worth a shot. Keep in mind if you wish to test the client to see if its worth downloading than you should use a Linux VM. If your too lazy to download a VM software than you can use onworks.net, as its free. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • A lot of unblocked games like FNF, Smash Karts and more!
    Try using onworks.net (or other services) to bypass blocking. Source: over 3 years ago
  • So i'm posting this from an online virtual machine on a school pc
    There's a website called onworks.net and you can open an ubuntu vm on it and completely bypass the schools search restrictions and they wont even know. You can even watch youtube or, as I'm currently doing, browse reddit. Have fun lol. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing AWS Lambda and OnWorks, you can also consider the following products

Amazon S3 - Amazon S3 is an object storage where users can store data from their business on a safe, cloud-based platform. Amazon S3 operates in 54 availability zones within 18 graphic regions and 1 local region.

Namecheap - The Best Domain Name Registrar when it comes to Customer Service. Learn why over 800,000 customers trust us with a total of over 3,000,000 domains.

Amazon API Gateway - Create, publish, maintain, monitor, and secure APIs at any scale

Gandi.net - GANDI is a domain name registrar and cloud hosting company. Free website, SSL certificate, blog, and e-mail included. VPS dedicated virtual servers, cloud hosting.

Google App Engine - A powerful platform to build web and mobile apps that scale automatically.

Heroku - Agile deployment platform for Ruby, Node.js, Clojure, Java, Python, and Scala. Setup takes only minutes and deploys are instant through git. Leave tedious server maintenance to Heroku and focus on your code.