AWS CodeCommit vs AWS CodeDeploy: What are the differences?

Introduction

AWS CodeCommit and AWS CodeDeploy are both services provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that are designed to facilitate the development and deployment of software applications. However, they serve different purposes and offer different functionalities. In this article, we will explore the key differences between AWS CodeCommit and AWS CodeDeploy.

1. Integration with Version Control System: AWS CodeCommit is a fully-managed source control service that provides secure hosting for private Git repositories. It allows developers to easily collaborate on code, track changes, and manage multiple branches. On the other hand, AWS CodeDeploy is a fully-managed deployment service that automates the process of deploying applications to various compute resources such as EC2 instances, Lambda functions, and on-premises servers. While CodeCommit focuses on version control, CodeDeploy focuses on the deployment process.

2. Primary Function: The primary function of AWS CodeCommit is to store and manage source code securely in the cloud. It provides features like pull requests, code reviews, and branch management. AWS CodeDeploy, on the other hand, is primarily used for automating application deployments, enabling developers to efficiently release their code to multiple environments, including production.

3. Deployment Automation: AWS CodeDeploy allows developers to define the deployment process using YAML or JSON files, known as AppSpec files. These files specify the deployment steps, such as copying files, running scripts, and updating configurations. CodeDeploy supports various deployment strategies, including rolling updates, blue/green deployments, and canary deployments. CodeCommit does not offer deployment automation capabilities. It focuses solely on managing and versioning the source code.

4. Integration with Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Tools: AWS CodeDeploy can be integrated with popular CI/CD tools such as AWS CodePipeline, Jenkins, and GitLab CI/CD to create end-to-end automation for software releases. This allows developers to trigger deployments automatically whenever there is a new code commit or a successful build. CodeCommit also integrates with CI/CD tools but primarily focuses on the source code management aspect.

5. Target Resources for Deployment: AWS CodeDeploy supports a wide range of target resources for deployment, including EC2 instances, on-premises servers, Lambda functions, and even Amazon ECS services. It provides flexibility and scalability when it comes to deploying applications across different compute resources. In contrast, CodeCommit does not have deployment capabilities, so it does not target any specific resources for deployment.

6. Pricing Model: AWS CodeCommit and AWS CodeDeploy have different pricing models. CodeCommit charges users based on the number of active users, data transfer, and storage consumed. On the other hand, CodeDeploy charges users based on the number of on-premises instances, EC2 instances, or Lambda functions being deployed to, as well as any additional features like alarms and Auto Scaling groups. The pricing structure reflects the different functionalities and resources utilized by each service.

In summary, AWS CodeCommit is a source code management service focused on secure and collaborative code hosting, while AWS CodeDeploy is a deployment automation service designed to streamline the application release process. CodeCommit offers features such as pull requests and branch management, while CodeDeploy enables users to automate deployments to various resources using defined deployment strategies.