---
title: "Cloud native architectures made easy"
author: Suri Patel
author_gitlab: spatel
author_twitter: gitlab
categories: company
image_title: '/images/blogimages/cloudarchitecture.jpg'
description: "Learn how GitLab’s robust cloud native support can help you increase operational efficiency."
tags: CI/CD, cloud native
twitter_text: "How GitLab's cloud native architecture lets you work off of any cloud"
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---

Many teams embark on a journey to strengthen operations and development. Whether it’s battling monolithic applications by adopting containers and microservices or attempting to elevate a mature architecture by switching CI/CD tools, it is important to have a solution with robust cloud native support. When containers and cloud native workflows are easy to set and maintain, teams increase operational efficiency and can focus on delivering better products faster.

## What goes into a cloud native architecture?

Cloud native applications are built using [microservices](/topics/microservices/) rather than a monolithic application structure. You can think of microservices as smaller pieces that unite to perform a specific action. Microservices can be scaled based on load, creating a more resilient environment. Container orchestration tools, like [Kubernetes](/solutions/kubernetes/), enable developers to manage the way an application’s containers function, including scaling and deployment.

Embracing cloud native architectures results in an increase in developer time, a decrease in the amount of money spent on monitoring and scaling application resources (through cloud orchestration and container schedulers), and faster shipping.

## GitLab is designed for cloud native architectures

GitLab’s [Kubernetes](/solutions/kubernetes/) integration, [built-in container registry](https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/user/packages/container_registry/index.html), and advanced [CI/CD features](/product/continuous-integration/) support microservices, such as multi-project pipelines, and monorepo projects. Furthermore, teams can keep the same workflow regardless of which cloud apps they are deploying to, so there’s no need to rework your entire process.

## Why choose GitLab for your cloud native needs

GitLab has a prominent place in the cloud native ecosystem and according to Forrester: [“GitLab’s simple and cohesive approach lands it squarely as a leader. GitLab's approach of having a single application to manage each phase of software development comes through in its developer experience”](/resources/forrester-wave-cloudnative-ci/).

GitLab doesn’t require manual and painstaking scripts. Our tool has native capabilities for Kubernetes integration and an out-of-the-box solution for advanced deployment flows for progressive delivery, like incremental rollout and canary deploys. GitLab also comes with [feature flagging as a built-in capability](/blog/2019/08/06/feature-flags-continuous-delivery/), eliminating the need for a third-party solution.

GitLab’s multicloud strategy with workflow portability increases operational efficiencies and makes it the easiest way to build cloud native applications.

Cover image by [Julian Santa Ana](https://unsplash.com/@jul_xander) on [Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/FKqH1QhUqaw)
{: .note}

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