Amazon Web Services vs Microsoft Azure

Both sell metered compute, storage and network by usage, with a long catalogue and a credit for new accounts. AWS gives a six-month starter plan and a catalogue it prices through a calculator. Azure gives a 30-day credit, prints its egress tiers on one page and discounts for licences you already own. Which wins depends on the estate you run.

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Both are reviewed in full in our cloud computing platform ranking: Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

1. 01

   The free start

   AWS offers a Free plan with 100 dollars in credit on opening and up to 100 more earned by trying services; the account closes after 6 months or when the credits run out. Azure gives 200 dollars within 30 days, and the account and services are disabled unless you move to pay-as-you-go. Azure adds 65+ always-free services; AWS gives the longer window to test a workload.

   Edge: Amazon Web Services

2. 02

   Egress prices you can read

   Both vendors let the first 100 GB of outbound traffic each month go unbilled. Azure prints the next tiers on its bandwidth page: 0.087 dollars per GB for the next 10 TB from North America and Europe on its own network, 0.08 on the transit ISP routing preference. The AWS on-demand page we read gives the 100 GB allowance but no tier prices, so an estimate needs the AWS calculator.

   Edge: Microsoft Azure

3. 03

   Leaving the platform

   AWS offers free transfer out to the internet for eligible customers moving all their data off AWS: you contact Support, outside the EU you have 180 days, and the account need not be closed. Azure states in its bandwidth FAQ that customers leaving Azure get free egress, with a credit claimed through published steps. Both waive the fee, both need a request, and neither removes the work of the migration.

   Depends on the buyer

4. 04

   Discounts for committing and for licences

   AWS states Savings Plans save up to 72 percent and Spot Instances up to 90 percent against On-Demand. Azure states its compute savings plan saves up to 65 percent over 1 or 3 years, billed every hour whether used or not, and cannot be modified or cancelled. Azure Hybrid Benefit claims up to 80 percent on Windows Server and 85 percent on SQL Server for core licences with Software Assurance. A Microsoft licence estate tips this to Azure.

   Edge: Microsoft Azure

5. 05

   Paid support

   AWS Business Support+ costs the greater of 29 dollars a month per account or 9 percent of monthly charges up to 10,000 dollars, falling to 3 percent above 250,000. Enterprise Support starts at 5,000 dollars a month. Azure Developer is 29 dollars and Standard 100 dollars a month flat, Professional Direct 1,000. AWS is cheaper for a tiny bill, Azure's flat fee is easier to forecast once spend grows.

   Depends on the buyer

Does AWS or Azure have the better free offer?

AWS lists a Free plan with 100 dollars credit plus up to 100 more, closing after 6 months or when credits end. Azure lists 200 dollars within 30 days plus 65+ always-free services.

Credits do not cover everything: Azure says its credit cannot be used for Marketplace purchases or Spot virtual machines, and AWS says promotional credits are not eligible on the Free plan.

Can I move away from AWS or Azure without paying for data transfer?

Both state a waiver. AWS offers free transfer out to eligible customers who move all their data off AWS, requested through Support.

Azure states free egress for customers leaving Azure when taking their data out over the internet. Read the conditions on each page before you plan the move.

Which one is cheaper for Windows and SQL Server workloads?

Azure Hybrid Benefit lets Windows Server and SQL Server core licences with active Software Assurance count against Azure prices, with claimed savings up to 80 and 85 percent. Savings depend on region, instance and usage, so price your own estate in both calculators.

Which has more regions?

AWS states 124 Availability Zones within 39 Geographic Regions. Azure lists 77 regions in 36 geographies, counting regions available or coming soon. The two figures count different things, so compare the locations you need rather than the totals.

• AWS Free Tier page: Free and Paid plan credits, 6-month closure.
• AWS EC2 on-demand pricing: 100 GB monthly outbound allowance, no tier prices on the page.
• AWS EC2 pricing overview: Savings Plans up to 72 percent, Spot up to 90 percent.
• AWS Savings Plans: up to 72 percent claim.
• AWS Support pricing: Business Support+ and Enterprise Support minimums and percentages.
• AWS free transfer out blog: free transfer when leaving, request via Support, 180 days outside the EU.
• AWS global infrastructure: 124 Availability Zones in 39 Regions.
• AWS Customer Agreement: contracting party Amazon Web Services, Inc., Seattle.
• Azure free account: 200 dollar credit, 30 days, 65+ always-free, disabled afterwards.
• Azure bandwidth pricing: 100 GB free, egress tiers, free egress when leaving.
• Azure savings plan for compute: up to 65 percent, 1 or 3 years, not cancellable.
• Azure Hybrid Benefit: Windows Server and SQL Server savings claims.
• Azure support plans: Developer, Standard and Professional Direct monthly prices.
• Azure geographies: 36 geographies and 77 regions.
• Microsoft Services Agreement: Microsoft Corporation, Redmond.