Although microservices can be a powerful tool, they are not suitable for every situation. The idea of ​​splitting applications into small, independent services sounds ideal: scalable, flexible and independent. But the reality often turns out to be different. The complexity of microservices brings challenges that trap many organizations in a web of complicated infrastructure, error-prone networks and sky-high operational costs.

Sound familiar? In this article we discuss how a modular monolith can simplify and optimize your software development.

What is a modular monolith anyway?

A modular monolith is an application that is deployed as a single entity, but is internally structured into separate, independent modules. Each module represents a specific domain or functionality, with clear boundaries and responsibilities.

How does this differ from the traditional monolith?

With a traditional monolith, functions and responsibilities often overlap, which makes maintenance challenging. The modular monolith brings structure to this through a modular structure with clear interfaces between the different components. This way you maintain an overview and maintainability, without the overhead of a distributed system.

Why microservices often disappoint in practice

Although microservices sound attractive in theory, the practice is often stubborn:

• Complex infrastructure: Each piece of software requires its own deployment pipeline, monitoring and logging. This means more overhead, especially with a large number of services.
• Vulnerable networks: Communication between microservices causes network errors and complicated error handling.
• Difficult debugging: Because business logic is spread across different services, it becomes difficult to track down errors.
• Higher costs: The complexity translates into extra work for DevOps, higher infrastructure costs and longer development cycles.

The advantages of a modular monolith in a row:

Simple deployment
A modular monolith is deployed as a single application. You only need one deployment pipeline, which ensures simplicity in infrastructure and management. No hassle with network issues or incompatible API versions.

Better performance and reliability
Because modules run within the same process, network communication is unnecessary. This makes the application faster and more reliable.

Clear module boundaries
Modules are loosely coupled with clear interfaces, which makes the architecture clear and maintenance-free.

Lower operational costs
Less infrastructure and easier management result in lower costs for DevOps and operations.

Easier debugging and testing
Everything runs locally, which makes testing easier and reduces integration complexity.

Possibility of evolution
Do you still want to switch to microservices in the future? The modular structure makes it easier to convert modules into independent services, without having to immediately adopt the full infrastructure complexity.

Sounds good, but how do I know if this is a good fit for my organization?

A modular monolith is ideal for organizations that:

• Work with small to medium-sized teams that want to minimize complexity.
• Want to develop quickly and cost-efficiently.
• Want the benefits of a modular approach, without the disadvantages of distributed systems.
• Want to scale to microservices later, or be able to do so, but are not ready for it yet.

Need help? Rapid Circle as your guide in software architecture

Are you stuck in the complexity of microservices or are you looking for a modular approach? At Rapid Circle, we help organizations make the right architectural choices based on their specific needs. We have extensive experience in both microservice architectures and modular monoliths and can support you in finding the optimal solution for your organization.