Azure web api VS Mobile Services

Question

What are the main differences when using

• Azure Web API (technically using Azure Web Site Module) - https://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/net/tutorials/rest-service-using-web-api/#bkmk_createmvc4app VS
• Azure Mobile Services - https://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/mobile/tutorials/get-started-ios/

I'd like to build a webservice that will be used by both mobile and web client. Which should I use?

Thanks

Answer 1

I think the Mobile Service is mainly focus on quick mobile service development especially for those data oriented. If you want to create a mobile application quickly, with CRUD against your data on cloud, with push notification out-of-box, mobile service might be a good choice.

But if you need complex server side logic, Azure Web Site could be better. You can create your own API with your own logic by using ASP.NET MVC WebAPI, Node.js, etc.