Azure Cosmos DB vs AWS DynamoDB – Which NoSQL database is better?
When it comes to NoSQL databases in the cloud computing industry, two major players stand out: Azure Cosmos DB and AWS DynamoDB. Both databases offer a wide range of features and functionality, making it challenging to determine which one is better.
In this blog post, we will provide a fact-based comparison of Azure Cosmos DB vs AWS DynamoDB, and hopefully, help you choose which one suits your business needs.
Data Model
Azure Cosmos DB employs a multi-model approach, which means it can support NoSQL data models like document, key-value, graph, and column-family, whereas AWS DynamoDB uses the key-value model.
Although multi-model capability may sound appealing, keep in mind that it can add a level of complexity, and you may not need those extra features, which is why DynamoDB's simplicity is an advantage in some cases.
Scalability
Both databases can scale horizontally, which is important when dealing with large amounts of data. However, Azure Cosmos DB uses a partitioning model, while DynamoDB employs sharding.
The advantage of Azure Cosmos DB is that it can partition data across global regions, whereas DynamoDB only partitions data within a region. Nevertheless, DynamoDB has automatic partition management that significantly reduces the administrative overhead compared to Cosmos DB.
Performance
Azure Cosmos DB boasts of its globally distributed nature, achieved using its partitioning model, whereas AWS DynamoDB employs SSD and in-memory indexing to achieve great performance for its key-value model. On average, the performance between the two databases is on par, and which one performs better depends on user requirements.
Price
Both databases have different pricing structures based on usage and region. DynamoDB's main pricing unit is provisioned throughput, and Azure Cosmos DB pricing is based on request units.
In general, DynamoDB can be more expensive than Cosmos DB if you're using a large number of read and write operations along with data transfer fees. This is where Cosmos DB's global distribution can be advantageous as you get to select datacenter locations that can save you money.
Security and Compliance
Both databases have robust security measures in place, including encryption at rest and in transit. Azure Cosmos has more certifications and compliance standards, including HIPAA, ISO 27001, etc., while DynamoDB is compliant with standards such as SOC, PCI, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is no clear winner. Both databases have unique features and capabilities, like Cosmos DB's multi-model support and global distribution and DynamoDB's simplicity and scalability.
Your decision should primarily depend on your business needs and not on the technology hype. Evaluate your requirements and choose which one suits you best.
We hope this Azure Cosmos DB vs AWS DynamoDB comparison helped you make an informed decision!
References
- AWS DynamoDB: What is DynamoDB?
- Azure Cosmos DB: What is Azure Cosmos DB?
- AWS vs Azure Comparison
- Azure Cosmos DB vs DynamoDB,%20graph%2C%20and%20column%20families.)