Continuous delivery is essential in modern software development.

Canary deployment tests new features with a small user group before a wider rollout, while rolling deployment incrementally updates small portions of the user base to avoid system downtime.

In this article, we'll weigh the pros and cons of these various approaches to continuous deployment.

Understanding deployment strategies

Canary deployment

• Definition and role: Canary deployment is a strategy where a new version of an application is released to a limited subset of users before a full rollout. This approach is pivotal in minimizing risks associated with deploying new features in a production environment.

• Process: Canary deployment involves gradually introducing the new release, often controlled by feature flags, to a small group of real users. This initial phase aims to test functionality and gather user feedback. Based on metrics and user experience data, the rollout can be expanded to more users or rolled back if issues arise. This strategy is particularly effective for applications with significant user bases, where user impact and feedback are critical metrics.

Rolling deployment

• Definition and application: Rolling deployment is a continuous delivery method where the new version of an application is deployed incrementally across multiple nodes or replicas, replacing the old version without causing downtime. This strategy is commonly used in microservices architectures and systems managed by Kubernetes.

• Implementation: In this process, updates happen one node at a time, often managed by a load balancer, which gradually shifts traffic from the old version to the new one. This ensures a zero-downtime deployment, maintaining functionality and a positive user experience. Rolling deployment is ideal for applications that require high availability and minimal disruption during updates.

Both canary and rolling deployment strategies are integral components of a robust DevOps workflow, allowing development teams to deploy new features and versions more efficiently while ensuring stability and compatibility in the production environment. They are key to modern software development practices, offering flexibility, control, and reduced risk in the deployment process.

Pros and cons of canary deployment

Pros of canary deployment

1. Controlled testing with real users:

Canary deployment allows for a controlled and phased rollout of new features to a select group of users. This approach minimizes risk by offering a testing ground for real-world feedback without impacting the entire user base.

Testing with real users is particularly useful for identifying unforeseen issues or bugs that weren't caught during the development phase.

2. Monitoring user experience and gathering metrics:

This deployment strategy enables continuous monitoring of user interactions and responses to the new features. The real-time data and metrics gathered are invaluable for assessing the impact of changes.

Monitoring UX and gathering metrics facilitates data-driven decision-making, allowing teams to tweak and optimize features based on user feedback and behavior patterns observed in the production environment.

Cons of canary deployment

1. Complexity in managing different versions:

One significant challenge of canary deployment is the complexity of managing multiple versions of an application simultaneously. It requires a robust system to control and track different user segments, especially when multiple features are being tested concurrently.

This complexity can extend to maintaining consistency across different data sets and ensuring seamless user experience across all versions.

2. Challenges in rollback procedures and dependencies:

While canary deployment is designed to reduce risk, it also necessitates a solid rollback plan in case of major issues. Rolling back changes can be complex, especially if there are dependencies on other services or components within the application.

Addressing these challenges requires careful planning and the ability to quickly respond to issues to prevent any significant impact on the user experience or system functionality.

With its unique approach to rolling out new features, canary deployment presents opportunities and challenges. By understanding these pros and cons, development teams can better strategize their deployment processes, ensuring they leverage the benefits while mitigating the risks associated with this method.

Pros and cons of rolling deployment

Pros of rolling deployment

1. Zero-downtime deployments and consistent user experience:

Rolling deployment is renowned for its ability to update applications without downtime. Incrementally updating nodes or replicas ensures that the service remains available to users throughout the deployment process.

This approach guarantees a consistent user experience, as there is no interruption in service while new features are being rolled out.

2. Advantages in handling large-scale deployments:

Rolling deployment is particularly advantageous for applications with a microservices architecture, often managed via platforms like Kubernetes. It allows for the seamless integration of new features across complex systems.

Large-scale deployments benefit from this strategy as it provides the flexibility to update parts of the system independently without affecting the whole, making it ideal for services with high availability requirements.

Cons of rolling deployment

1. Challenges with immediate full exposure of the new version:

Unlike canary deployment, where new features are exposed to a subset of users, rolling deployment introduces the new version to all users once the rollout is complete. This could pose a risk if the new version has undiscovered issues, as it affects the entire user base.

The immediate full exposure requires high confidence in the new release’s stability and performance.

2. Issues with load balancing and version compatibility:

Load balancers are crucial in a rolling deployment, directing traffic to different versions during the update process. However, managing this can be complex, particularly when ensuring seamless user experience across transitioning versions.

Version compatibility is another concern. Ensuring that different parts of the application can effectively communicate during the update, especially when dealing with dependencies and shared resources, can be challenging.

Rolling deployment, with its methodology of updating software versions, offers significant benefits in maintaining service continuity and managing large-scale updates. However, it also comes with challenges, particularly in ensuring the new version's stability and handling the complexities of load balancing and compatibility complexities. Understanding these aspects is crucial for development teams to utilize rolling deployment in their continuous delivery pipelines effectively.

Check out our sandbox project

Take our “sandbox” project for a spin! In this project, we have generated real-time sample data for you to explore and experiment with.

Test Drive Now

Choosing the right strategy for your continuous deployment needs

Deployment methods comparative analysis

1. Use cases:

Canary deployment is ideal for high-risk updates or major feature releases where user feedback is crucial. It suits scenarios where gradual exposure and user experience monitoring are necessary.

Rolling deployment is more suited for general updates and enhancements, especially when minimal disruption is a priority. It works well for routine updates that don't require extensive user feedback.

2. Risk management:

Canary deployment offers better risk management by initially limiting new feature exposure to a small group. This containment allows for easier troubleshooting and risk containment.

Rolling deployment, while ensuring zero downtime, exposes the entire user base to the new version once the deployment is complete, which could escalate the impact of any issues.

3. Ease of rollback:

Canary deployment simplifies rollbacks as it affects only a small user base. Quick rollback decisions can be made based on immediate user feedback.

Rolling deployment might have more complex rollback procedures, especially if the deployment has reached a significant portion of the nodes.

Factors to consider

1. Deployment size:

Smaller, more frequent updates may benefit from rolling deployments for their efficiency and minimal user impact.

Larger, more significant releases might be better served by canary deployments for their risk mitigation and feedback opportunities.

2. Team capabilities and infrastructure:

Teams should evaluate their expertise in managing different deployment strategies. canary deployments might require more sophisticated monitoring and analysis capabilities.

Infrastructure plays a critical role. Systems managed with Kubernetes, AWS, or Docker can influence the choice of deployment. For instance, Kubernetes can facilitate both strategies but may require different configurations and resource management.

3. Project requirements:

The choice between canary and rolling deployments should also consider the project's specific needs. If rapid, real-time feedback is crucial, canary might be preferable.

For applications where continuity and stability are paramount, rolling deployments could be more effective.

The decision between canary and rolling deployments hinges on various factors, including the nature of the update, risk appetite, infrastructure capabilities, and specific project requirements. Understanding these nuances will guide development teams in choosing the most suitable method for their deployment needs, ensuring efficient and effective software delivery.

Join the Slack community

Connect with our data scientists and engineers, and ask questions or just hang out with other cool folks that believe in an experimentation culture!

Join Community

Integrating deployment strategies with Statsig

Feature flags and A/B testing

Statsig's feature flags are instrumental in both canary and rolling deployments. By toggling these flags, teams can enable or disable features for specific user segments during a canary deployment or across different nodes in a rolling deployment.

A/B testing capabilities provided by Statsig allow for precise, data-driven decisions. In canary deployments, A/B testing can be used to compare user responses between the new feature and the old version, while in rolling deployments, it helps assess the impact of changes across different stages of the rollout.

Analytics and monitoring

With Statsig’s analytics tools, teams can gain deep insights into how new features influence user experience and app functionality. This data is crucial for understanding the success of a deployment and for making informed decisions on whether to proceed, rollback, or make adjustments.

In both deployment strategies, real-time analytics enable a continuous feedback loop, ensuring that any changes positively affect user engagement and app performance.

Customized deployment pipelines

Statsig facilitates the creation of customized deployment pipelines that align with specific project goals and infrastructure setups. Whether using Kubernetes, AWS, Docker, or other environments, Statsig integrates seamlessly, providing a flexible platform for continuous delivery.

Development teams can leverage Statsig to create deployment workflows that suit their needs, whether implementing a straightforward rolling deployment or a more segmented canary deployment. This customization ensures the deployment process aligns with the team's capabilities, project requirements, and overall software development strategies.

Integrating Statsig into new deployment strategies not only streamlines the process but also adds a layer of intelligence and adaptability. By leveraging Statsig’s feature flags, A/B testing, analytics, and tailored deployment pipelines, teams can execute canary and rolling deployments more effectively, ensuring that each new release optimally contributes to the application’s success and user satisfaction.

A Guide to canary and rolling deployments with Statsig

Selecting the right deployment strategy is a critical decision in the software development process. Whether you opt for the targeted approach of canary deployment or the uniform update method of rolling deployment, each strategy offers distinct advantages and considerations.

Platforms like Statsig play a pivotal role in this landscape, empowering development teams with the tools to make informed, data-driven decisions. By leveraging Statsig's feature flags, A/B testing, and robust analytics, teams can navigate deployment complexities with greater confidence and precision.

Create a free account

You're invited to create a free Statsig account! Get started today, and ping us if you have questions. No credit card required, of course.

Create My Account