Struggling to choose between monolith and microservices architecture for your new project?
This blog will help you understand the difference between monolithic architecture and microservices, and how each can help your business grow.
Monolithic Architecture and How It Differs From Microservices
Let’s first explore each structure.
A monolithic architecture refers to a model based on a single, self-contained application platform with many interconnected modules and piled-up layers.
It’s the most commonly used approach because it facilitates all the necessary steps required to complete a user request.
On the other hand, microservices come with quite the opposite design. In their case, an application is split into many small, independent services, each of which handles a specific function and connects with the others via APIs.
Imagine a microservice designed for executing user login or payment. They run independently but remain connected. It’s like replacing one big machine (like a monolithic structure) with many smaller, specialised ones.
Monolith and Microservices – Their Pros & Cons at a Glance
Let’s now proceed to a closer look at their pros and drawbacks.
Monolithic Architecture
Here is what to expect if you opt for monolithic architecture:
The Pros:
- It’s simple to design, develop and test.
- It comes with easier initial deployment.
- It offers lower upfront costs.
The Cons:
- It’s not easy to scale over time.
- It’s sensitive to system-wide failure/collapse (even if a small part is affected).
- It comes with an inherent difficulty in onboarding new devs on large codebases.
Microservices Structure
And here is what you’ll gain – and lose – if you choose the microservices model:
The Pros:
- It’s easier to scale (the scaling is done in small parts and for specific functions).
- It provides tech flexibility across services.
- It allows for better fault tolerance (a fault is more manageable and doesn’t affect the whole system).
The Cons:
- It’s more complex to design and build.
- It requires DevOps expertise.
- It comes with higher initial setup costs.
As you can see, each option has its advantages and disadvantages – as happens with everything in tech and business. The key is to align your enterprise’s needs and goals with the offerings of these software structures and maximize their benefits.
Comparing Monolith and Microservices – A Quick View
To fully grasp the idea behind these concepts, along with their special characteristics and differences, check out the following table that gives a snapshot of both monolith and microservices.
| Feature | Monolithic Architecture | Microservices Architecture |
| Structure | All components in a single codebase. | Each service is independent and modular. |
| Deployment | One deployment package. | Multiple deployments per service. |
| Scalability | Limited. The whole app scales together. | High. It scales services independently. |
| Maintenance | Easier at first, harder as the app grows. | Requires DevOps and orchestration tools. |
| Fault Isolation | One part can crash the whole system. | Failures are isolated to individual services. |
| Development Speed | Faster early development. | Slower initially due to complexity. |
When Should You Choose a Monolithic Architecture?
Given the analysis you got in the previous lines, we have now reached the crucial part of this blog. When should you choose (or stick to) a monolithic architecture model, and when should you shift to the newer trend of microservices structure?
Let’s find out.
Go for monolith architecture when:
- You’re launching a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- You have a small development team.
- You want to validate your business idea before investing heavily.
- Your application doesn’t need complex scalability yet.
As you can see, all the above scenarios are realistic and can be backed up effectively by a monolithic architecture.
When Should You Convert Monolith to Microservices?
However, what happens when you have other needs to meet and other challenges to address that may require a different approach? This is where breaking the monolith to microservices architecture might be your best solution.
Typically, if your business doesn’t demand a microservices approach right from the beginning, then switching to such a structure is selected when growth surpasses the monolithic system.
Some common scenarios include:
- Your app crashes when a single feature fails.
- You struggle with long build/deployment times.
- Different teams need to work independently.
- Scaling parts of the app (e.g. checkout or search) is becoming a headache.
In all the above cases, modern companies are taking all the necessary measures to break monoliths into microservices and serve their business purposes better.
How to Convert Monolithic to Microservices in 2026
So, now that you have the “when to do it”, let’s discuss the “how to do it”.
Thinking of breaking monolith to microservices? Here’s a simplified roadmap:
1. Assess Your Monolith
First, identify what needs changing. What are the pain points and bottlenecks? And what boundaries does the system pose?
2. Define Each Service Area
Then, break your app into pieces in terms of business capabilities. What used to be a layer in monolithic architecture now becomes a distinct microservice (e.g. auth, inventory, payments).
3. Create APIs for Communication
Microservices can’t stand alone. They need to communicate with each other. When you convert monolithic to microservices, ensure you create the proper APIs. So they can interact via REST, gRPC, or messaging queues.
4. Migrate Gradually
Finally, start breaking monolithic to microservices gradually. Go with low-risk modules first and proceed with caution to scale the approach.
Best Practices & Challenges: Monolithic to Microservices
Suppose now you decide to go down that road, and for the upcoming 2026 and the years to come, you want to ensure your business runs with microservices.
Are there any ways to do this transition smoothly, and how can you tackle any potential challenges? In the following lines, you get to have all the answers.
4 Best Practices for Migration
For a successful transition from monolithic to microservices, check out these proven best practices:
- Start small. Choose to shift one or two critical services.
- Use API gateways for routing traffic.
- Don’t leave the changes to luck. Instead, monitor performance closely.
- It’s crucial to document everything so you can reuse your notes when needed.
4 Common Challenges
Beware of the challenges that may appear in your way when breaking a monolith into microservices. Here are the most common of them:
- Inter-service communication problems. Since microservices communicate through APIs or messaging, complexity and potential failures are more probable.
- Data consistency assurance. Ensuring each service has its accurate database and is in sync with others is a crucial and challenging task.
- DevOps toolchain complexity. The more microservices exist, the more complex their functions, monitoring, and updating become; consequently, you need more tools, more automation, and advanced control.
- Cultural shift for the dev team. New structure on the block! Thus, new workflows and closer collaboration among your team members. Time for a cultural change.
Don’t get discouraged by the challenges, though. Ideally, you can partner with a specialist in the field to ensure a smooth transition from monolithic to microservices.
Cost of Monolithic to Microservices Migration
It all comes down to money, after all. So, what is the cost of monolithic to microservices migration? There isn’t a straightforward answer to that question, unfortunately.
The total cost varies each time depending on project size and complexity.
Here is a rough estimation of how much the transition may cost you—expressed using symbolic ranges ($–$$$) instead of exact figures—to give a general sense of scale in 2026 terms:
| Cost Factor | Approximate Range (in 2026) |
| Initial assessment and planning | $ |
| Development & refactoring | $$ – $$$ |
| DevOps infrastructure setup | $ – $$ |
| Team training & onboarding | $ |
Don’t forget that microservices offer long-term savings in scalability, maintainability, and innovation speed. These all translate to contributions to your ROI.
Also, keep in mind that you need to look for a specialized professional to ensure that you get the best services, tailored to your needs and at a reasonable price.
Bottom Line
As 2026 approaches, the business dilemma between monoliths and microservices arises, and it isn’t about which is better, as both have their pros and cons.
It’s more about which architecture fits your software boundaries, business stage and future goals, and team capacity. While a monolithic architecture is perfect for quick launches and low upfront costs, microservices may be more suitable for you due to the agility and scale options they come with.
Whatever you opt for, having Uniridge by your side to do the work will ensure you get the best results!
Contact us now and get ready to modernise your architecture!
FAQs about Monolith and Microservices
Are Microservices Better Than Monolithic Architecture?
It’s not a matter of which one is better. It widely depends on your needs and end goals. Microservices excel in scale and flexibility, while monoliths – on the other hand – are simpler, faster and lower-cost for early-stage projects.
Can I Convert Monolithic To Microservices?
Yes, it’s possible. But, it’s not a press-the-button and it’s done process. On the contrary, it’s a relatively gradual procedure that needs planning and constant monitoring. Think of it lasting from weeks to months, depending on your app’s size, your team’s skill, and, in the end, your business goals.
What Are The Best Practices For Migration?
Other than trusting a professional agency with unquestionable expertise to convert monolithic to microservices for you? If you’re ready to take the risk, ensure you set clear goals from the beginning, migrate step-by-step, align your team culturally and technically, and use robust monitoring tools. Good luck!
