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AWS Network Load Balancer vs AWS Application Load Balancer

Developers should use AWS Network Load Balancer when building high-performance, low-latency applications that require handling of TCP/UDP traffic, such as gaming servers, IoT applications, or real-time streaming services meets developers should use aws application load balancer when building scalable, microservices-based architectures or web applications that require advanced routing, such as a/b testing, canary deployments, or routing based on request content. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

AWS Network Load Balancer

Developers should use AWS Network Load Balancer when building high-performance, low-latency applications that require handling of TCP/UDP traffic, such as gaming servers, IoT applications, or real-time streaming services

AWS Network Load Balancer

Nice Pick

Developers should use AWS Network Load Balancer when building high-performance, low-latency applications that require handling of TCP/UDP traffic, such as gaming servers, IoT applications, or real-time streaming services

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful for scenarios needing static IP addresses, preserving source IP addresses for backend processing, or integrating with other AWS services like AWS Global Accelerator for improved global performance
  • +Related to: aws-elastic-load-balancing, aws-application-load-balancer

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

AWS Application Load Balancer

Developers should use AWS Application Load Balancer when building scalable, microservices-based architectures or web applications that require advanced routing, such as A/B testing, canary deployments, or routing based on request content

Pros

  • +It is essential for high-availability setups in AWS, as it distributes traffic across multiple targets, handles automatic scaling, and integrates seamlessly with services like AWS WAF for security and Auto Scaling groups for resilience
  • +Related to: aws-ec2, aws-auto-scaling

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use AWS Network Load Balancer if: You want it is particularly useful for scenarios needing static ip addresses, preserving source ip addresses for backend processing, or integrating with other aws services like aws global accelerator for improved global performance and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use AWS Application Load Balancer if: You prioritize it is essential for high-availability setups in aws, as it distributes traffic across multiple targets, handles automatic scaling, and integrates seamlessly with services like aws waf for security and auto scaling groups for resilience over what AWS Network Load Balancer offers.

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The Bottom Line
AWS Network Load Balancer wins

Developers should use AWS Network Load Balancer when building high-performance, low-latency applications that require handling of TCP/UDP traffic, such as gaming servers, IoT applications, or real-time streaming services

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