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AWS vs. Microsoft Azure - A Detailed Comparison

January 18, 2022

Introduction

The advent of the cloud technology has revolutionized the way organizations manage and store their data. Companies are now able to leverage the benefits of cloud infrastructure to improve their operability and grow their businesses. With numerous Cloud providers offering services to users, the market has become increasingly competitive. Two leading cloud providers, AWS and Microsoft Azure, have gained worldwide recognition for their services. In this blog, the Flare Compare team will provide an unbiased comparison of AWS and Microsoft Azure to help organizations make informed decisions when migrating their data to the cloud.

Comparing the Pricing Structure

Cost is a major factor that influences cloud migration decisions. AWS and Microsoft Azure have different pricing models, and it is important to compare them to make informed decisions.

AWS pricing

AWS pricing varies depending on the type of service used. It offers a pay-as-you-go model, which means that customers only pay for the services they use. AWS rates start at $0.0001 per hour and go up depending on the service. Some of the services provided by AWS include:

  • S3 (Simple Storage Services) costs $0.0230 per GB per month for the first 50 terabytes of data.
  • EC2 (Elastic Cloud Computing) instances can cost anywhere between $0.0116 per hour for general-purpose instances to $6.82 per hour for graphic-intensive instances.

Microsoft Azure pricing

Microsoft Azure also offers a pay-as-you-go model for its services. It provides a range of services, some of which include:

  • Storage Accounts costs $0.0184 per GB per month for the first 50 terabytes of data.
  • Virtual machines can cost anywhere between $0.008 per hour for general-purpose instances to $13.32 per hour for memory-optimized instances.

Comparing Availability Zones

An availability zone is a data center or group of data centers within a region that run on independent power supplies, cooling systems, and internet connectivity. AWS has more availability zones compared to Microsoft Azure, thus ensuring higher resilience and reliability. AWS currently has 77 availability zones worldwide, while Microsoft Azure has 54.

Comparing Support Options

When it comes to customer support for cloud service, AWS and Microsoft Azure have distinct differences.

AWS Support

AWS offers four support options, including Basic, Developer, Business, and Enterprise. Basic is the only free support option and offers limited assistance. Developer is the cheapest paid support option and costs $29 per month. Business support has more advanced features and costs $100 per month. Enterprise is the most expensive support option and is customized according to customers' needs.

Microsoft Azure Support

Microsoft Azure offers three-tier support options, including Basic, Standard and Professional Direct. Basic and Standard support options are bundled together and cost $100 per month. Professional Direct is the most advanced support option and includes a custom support plan.

Conclusion

The choice between AWS and Microsoft Azure depends on the specific needs of your organization. AWS has more availability zones, while Microsoft Azure has better cost management. Both providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, but AWS has a broader range of pricing options. AWS also has better customer support options compared to Microsoft Azure. To make an informed choice, consider comparing the two providers based on your organization's specific requirements.

References

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