Comparative Analysis of Monolithic and Microservices Architectures in Web Development
Session
Computer Science and Communication Engineering
Description
This study examines the comparison between monolithic and microservices architectures in web application development, focusing on their impact on performance, scalability, maintainability, and complexity management. Through a review of the literature and practical analysis of real-world case studies, Netflix (representing monolithic architecture) and Etsy (representing microservices architecture) were evaluated using key performance and technical efficiency metrics, employing tools such as Google Lighthouse and HAR file analysis. Tests were conducted on both desktop and mobile platforms to assess architectural influence under varying conditions. Findings indicate that monolithic architecture provides stable performance and centralized control, particularly on desktop platforms, while microservices offer flexibility and modularity but require careful optimization to avoid unnecessary overhead, especially on mobile devices. The study emphasizes that the choice of architecture should be context-dependent, considering application requirements, scalability needs, and available technical resources, with hybrid approaches potentially offering the best balance in many scenarios.
Keywords:
Monolithic Architecture, Microservices Architecture, Web Application Development, Performance Optimization, Scalability
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-982-41-2
Location
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
25-10-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
26-10-2025 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.105
Recommended Citation
Bajçinca, Denis; Kabashi, Faton; Gjikokaj, Laura; Selimaj, Mirlinda; and Shkurti, Lamir, "Comparative Analysis of Monolithic and Microservices Architectures in Web Development" (2025). UBT International Conference. 37.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2025UBTIC/CS/37
Comparative Analysis of Monolithic and Microservices Architectures in Web Development
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
This study examines the comparison between monolithic and microservices architectures in web application development, focusing on their impact on performance, scalability, maintainability, and complexity management. Through a review of the literature and practical analysis of real-world case studies, Netflix (representing monolithic architecture) and Etsy (representing microservices architecture) were evaluated using key performance and technical efficiency metrics, employing tools such as Google Lighthouse and HAR file analysis. Tests were conducted on both desktop and mobile platforms to assess architectural influence under varying conditions. Findings indicate that monolithic architecture provides stable performance and centralized control, particularly on desktop platforms, while microservices offer flexibility and modularity but require careful optimization to avoid unnecessary overhead, especially on mobile devices. The study emphasizes that the choice of architecture should be context-dependent, considering application requirements, scalability needs, and available technical resources, with hybrid approaches potentially offering the best balance in many scenarios.