FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
Which cloud service model provides users with access to software applications over the internet without managing the underlying infrastructure?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the boundary between SaaS and PaaS — candidates confuse 'access to software' with 'platform to build software,' so read carefully whether the user is consuming an app or building one.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SaaS
SaaS (Software as a Service) delivers fully functional applications over the internet, with the provider managing all underlying infrastructure — servers, storage, networking, and the application itself. The user simply accesses the software via a browser or client, with no responsibility for patching, scaling, or maintaining the platform. Examples include Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and Google Workspace.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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PaaS
Why it's wrong here
PaaS supplies a managed platform for developing and deploying applications, yet the customer still builds and maintains the application code itself. It is tempting because the provider handles the runtime and middleware, but the stem asks for finished software applications consumed over the internet, which is SaaS.
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IaaS
Why it's wrong here
IaaS delivers raw compute, storage and networking, leaving the customer to install and manage the operating system, runtime and application. It is tempting because it removes physical hardware ownership, but the question requires software delivered over the internet with no infrastructure management, which is SaaS.
- ✓
SaaS
Why this is correct
SaaS delivers fully functional applications over the internet, with the provider managing all underlying infrastructure — servers, storage, networking and runtime. This directly satisfies the stem's constraint of accessing software without managing infrastructure, unlike IaaS or PaaS, where you still control operating systems or deployment environments.
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DaaS
Why it's wrong here
DaaS streams a virtual desktop environment to the user, so the provider manages the desktop infrastructure while applications still run within that hosted desktop. It is tempting because the user accesses it over the internet, but the stem requires direct access to a software application, which is SaaS.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.