If you are undertaking a cloud project or cloud migration then the main decision you will have to make is what cloud platform to use. There are multiple cloud platforms available, but the market leaders are Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. In the Q1 of 2022 AWS had a 33% share of the cloud infrastructure market while Microsoft had 22% (AAG, 2023). With the majority of the market between them, this blog will explore AWS vs Azure.
What are AWS and Azure?
AWS
AWS is Amazon’s cloud offering launched in 2002. It is a collection of cloud products including data storage, website hosting and machine learning.
For more info about AWS, take a look at our Quick Guide to AWS and our blog on The Benefits of Working with an AWS Partner.
Azure
In 2010 Microsoft launched Azure. Azure is also a cloud computing platform offering storage, compute and development services similar to AWS.
For more info about Azure, we have a blog on What is Azure Serverless.
Key Differences
| AWS | Azure | Info Source |
| Charges pay-as-you-go by hour | Charges pay-as-you-go by minute | Jha, 2023 |
| Does not accept private/third-party cloud providers | Accepts hybrid cloud systems | Jha, 2023 |
| High level of encryption | Lower level of encryption | Lakhbir, 2023 |
| More user friendly and open-source | Working to become more user friendly and open-source | Lakhbir, 2023 |
| Has a software marketplace | Also has a software marketplace but it is limited due to having few Linux options | Taylor, 2023 |
| Compatible with Linux and AWS provides integrations for open-source applications | Azure is not yet at the same level as AWS for open-source applications | BasuMallick, 2022 |
| Offers long term data archiving and retrieval | Does not offer long term data archiving and retrieval | Taylor, 2023 |
| For Machine Learning Modelling, SageMaker offers flexibility and freedom | ML Studio focuses on codeless Machine Learning Modelling with drag-and-drop elements | BasuMallick, 2022 |
Other Cloud Options
AWS and Azure, while market leaders, are not the only cloud options. Other options include Google Cloud, IBM Cloud and CloudLinux. All the cloud options have varying specialties and offerings. CloudLinux for example is a different from the other examples as it is a cloud platform for setting up your own infrastructure rather than using the infrastructure of the cloud service provider.
Conclusion
There is not a clear winner in AWS vs Azure. The cloud platforms have different strengths and the choice between them depends on your individual needs. This is not a choice that we can offer an opinion on in this blog. If you would like to discuss your cloud options for your project, then please contact us.
Learn more about cloud migration in our blog on The History of Cloud Migration.
