Monoliths Aren’t Dead, Microservices Aren’t Magic
Choose the right architecture for *your* app, at this stage of its evolution.
👋 Hi, this is Thomas, with a new issue of “Beyond Code: System Design and More”, where I geek out on all things system design, software architecture, distributed systems and… well, more.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“Architecture is hard sometimes--people keep offering up some new idea that quickly becomes the mainstream "way to do it" without any context or nuance, and the industry, desperate to find ways to improve their architecture, snaps it up without hesitation.” - Ted Neward
Web application architecture isn't about picking the trendiest option—it's about aligning structure with business needs, technical constraints, and team expertise. The wrong choice can lead to unnecessary complexity, while the right choice sets a solid foundation for scalability and maintainability.
While there have been lots of articles on the topic of monolith vs microservices, the truth is that neither is better or worse. There is only the right (or not) choice for your application, at this point in time in its evolution.
Monolithic Architecture
Monolithic applications bundle all components—UI, business logic, and database access—into a single unit. While often dismissed as "old-school," monoliths offer simplicity, fast iteration cycles, and minimal operational overhead—making them a great starting point for many teams.
💡 Best for:
✔️ Small to mid-sized apps
✔️ Startups moving fast with limited resources
✔️ Teams prioritizing ease of development and deployment
Scaling a monolith is straightforward: deploy multiple instances behind a load balancer, shard the database if needed, and optimize as you grow. The challenge arises when a monolithic codebase becomes too large, slowing down deployments and making scaling inefficient.
Monolithic architectures offer several compelling benefits:
Simplified data management and transaction handling
Faster initial development and deployment cycles
Reduced network latency between components
Easier debugging and testing processes
Lower operational complexity in early stages
Microservices Architecture
Microservices architecture splits applications into independently deployable services, each handling a distinct function. This offers greater scalability, resilience, and freedom for teams to work autonomously.
But it comes with trade-offs and managing complex distributed systems is never easy.
💡 Best for:
✔️ Large-scale apps with independent components
✔️ Enterprise-level applications and high-traffic platforms
✔️ Teams needing separate scaling for different services
When done right, microservices provide fault isolation, modular scaling, and tech stack flexibility. When done wrong, they lead to spaghetti networks, operational overhead, and debugging nightmares.
Successful microservices implementation requires careful attention to:
Service boundary definition
Inter-service communication protocols
Data consistency strategies
Authentication and security measures
Automated deployment pipelines
Each architectural pattern brings its own set of advantages and challenges.
Success lies not in choosing the most sophisticated approach, but in selecting the architecture that best aligns with specific project needs, team expertise, and company objectives. And remember: architecture isn’t static.
As applications evolve, teams should remain open to architectural transitions that support their changing requirements and user demands.
I originally wrote about this topic in this article:
I explored these topics:
Static website web application architecture
Monolithic web application architecture
Microservices-based web application architecture
Serverless web application architecture
📚 Interesting Articles & Resources
How Did SoundCloud Scale Its Architecture Using BFF, Microservices & DDD? -
SoundCloud faced scalability challenges with its monolithic architecture as the platform grew. To address this, they transitioned to a microservices architecture, implementing the Backend-for-Frontend (BFF) pattern to create dedicated APIs for different clients (iOS, Android, Web). And to resolve issues with duplicated business logic across BFFs, SoundCloud introduced Value-Added Services (VAS) based on Domain-Driven Design principles, centralizing core functionalities and reducing complexity.
7 Ways to Share Knowledge for Continuous Learning -
Effective knowledge sharing is crucial for continuous learning and team collaboration. Implementing the 7 approaches recommended in the article fosters a culture of continuous learning and reduces knowledge silos within teams.
How Meta Solves Data Lineage At Scale -
Meta emphasizes the importance of data lineage—the ability to trace data's journey through various systems—for ensuring data integrity and compliance. They developed a scalable system to map data flows, illustrating how data transitions between assets. This system aids in troubleshooting, impact analysis, and understanding data dependencies.