How do cloud service models primarily differ?

Cloud service models primarily differ by the level of management and control provided to the user. There are three main service models: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

In IaaS, users manage the operating systems, applications, and middleware, while the cloud provider manages the physical infrastructure and virtualization. This model offers the most control and flexibility to users, making it suitable for those who need to customize their environments extensively.

With PaaS, the cloud provider manages the underlying infrastructure and provides a platform for developers to build and deploy applications. Users have less control compared to IaaS but can focus more on development without worrying about infrastructure management.

SaaS provides the least level of control to users, as the service provider manages everything from the infrastructure to the application itself. Users simply access the software via the internet, making it user-friendly but limiting customization and control.

Thus, the defining difference among these cloud service models lies in how much management and control the user has over the resources, which significantly affects how organizations utilize and benefit from cloud services.