avril 03, 2025
Microsoft’s recent decision to discontinue Azure Spring Apps Enterprise as a target for VMware Tanzu customers has left many enterprise teams at a crossroads.
If your organization has been leveraging Azure Spring Apps Enterprise to deploy and manage Spring-based applications in the cloud, you now need a strategic path forward. The two most viable alternatives are Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and Azure Container Apps (ACA)—but which one is right for your workloads?
Let’s break it down.
Understanding the options: AKS vs. ACA
Both AKS and ACA offer a way to deploy containerized applications in Azure, but they serve different use cases.
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
AKS is Microsoft’s fully managed Kubernetes service, offering enterprises full control over container orchestration and scaling. It’s well-suited for teams that:
- Need advanced control over networking, security, and infrastructure.
- Require multi-cluster and hybrid deployment flexibility.
- Have DevOps expertise and need Kubernetes-native tooling.
- Want to run workloads that require custom autoscaling, complex networking, or GPU acceleration.
- Need access to the Kubernetes API.
However, AKS comes with complexity. If your team lacks deep Kubernetes expertise, managing AKS can be a challenge, requiring ongoing operational overhead.
Azure Container Apps (ACA)
ACA is serverless and built for simplicity. It abstracts away Kubernetes complexity while still offering scalability and microservices capabilities. ACA is ideal for teams that:
- Want a fully managed experience without dealing with Kubernetes internals.
- Are migrating Spring Boot microservices without significant architectural changes.
- Require auto-scaling without managing infrastructure.
- Don’t need fine-grained control over networking and storage.
- Want to be able to scale-to-zero.
While ACA is easier to manage, it may not offer the same level of customization, security configurations, or workload portability as AKS.
How to decide: AKS or ACA?
To determine the best option for your organization, consider these key factors:
1. Level of Kubernetes Expertise
- If your team has Kubernetes experts → AKS is the best choice for maximum control.
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If you prefer a managed solution with less ops overhead → ACA is a better fit.
2. Application Complexity & Dependencies
- If your workloads have complex networking, persistent storage, or compliance needs → AKS is more suitable.
- If your workloads are stateless and event-driven → ACA simplifies deployment.
3. Scaling & Cost Efficiency
- If you need Kubernetes-level autoscaling (HPA, node autoscaling) → AKS is the way to go.
- If you prefer cost-effective, demand-driven auto-scaling without managing nodes → ACA is a better fit.
4. Security & Compliance
- If your organization requires strict security policies, private networking, and custom ingress control → AKS offers more flexibility.
- If you’re okay with a managed service handling security best practices for you → ACA provides an easier path.
Final thoughts: the path forward
If your enterprise previously relied on Azure Spring Apps Enterprise, the transition to AKS or ACA depends on your needs. AKS is the right move if you require Kubernetes flexibility, while ACA provides a managed, streamlined experience with less operational complexity.
Ultimately, the decision hinges on your team’s expertise, workload complexity, and infrastructure goals. If you’re still unsure, a hybrid approach—where critical services run on AKS and simpler workloads migrate to ACA—might be the most balanced solution.
Need guidance on migrating your Spring Boot apps? Now’s the time to assess your cloud-native strategy and take control of your Azure future.
