AWS vs Azure, which one is the right one for you?

When evaluating cloud computing, two players dominate the conversation: Azure and AWS (Amazon Web Services). The short answer is it depends. Each of these cloud platforms has its advantages and offers a unique set of features for the users. It is a complex choice, and to make it more complicated, providers tend to call similar features with different names.

This article aims to provide some clarity or at least give you enough information so you can make an informed decision when it comes to cloud storage services.

Microsoft defines Azure as the “cloud platform with more than 200 products and cloud services designed to help you bring new solutions to life—to solve today’s challenges and create the future. Build, run, and manage applications across multiple clouds, on-premises, and at the edge, with the tools and frameworks of your choice.” There is a long list of programming languages (for example, Python, JavaScript, Java, .NET and Go) and tools (like VS Code, Visual Studio, IntelliJ, and Eclipse) that Azure supports.

According to the AWS website, “Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally.” Same as Microsoft Azure, it supports a wide range of programming languages and tools, such as Python, JavaScript, Java, .NET and Ruby.

A comparison between both market leaders is not an easy task. Each one offers hundreds of cloud solutions, including a huge number of products and services.

Features and Benefits of AWS and Azure

Although they have many similarities, they also have some differences. This comparison may help you to decide which one is the best for your business.

Virtual Machines: both cloud computing services allow their customers to deploy and control cloud-based applications. Both providers share similar features, such as:

• The ability to use stored disk images to create instances
• On-demand capabilities to launch and terminate instances
• Restriction-free management of your instances
• The ability to tag your instances
• A variety of available operating systems to install on your instance

In terms of operational systems, both companies support a wide range of operating systems; Azure Virtual Machines supports Windows Server, Linux, FreeBSD and more. AWS EC2 also supports Windows, Linux, Unix and more.

Cloud Storage

Microsoft provides a good comparison when it comes to storage(1):

S3/EBS/EFS and Microsoft Azure Storage

In the AWS platform, cloud storage is primarily broken down into three services:

• Simple Storage Service (S3). Basic object storage that makes data available through an Internet accessible API.
• Elastic Block Storage (EBS). Block level storage intended for access by a single VM.
• Elastic File System (EFS). File storage meant for use as shared storage for up to thousands of EC2 instances.

In Azure Storage, subscription-bound storage accounts allow you to create and manage the following storage services:

• Blob storage stores any type of text or binary data, such as a document, media file, or application installer. You can set Blob storage for private access or share contents publicly to the Internet. Blob storage serves the same purpose as both AWS S3 and EBS.
• Table storage stores structured datasets. Table storage is a NoSQL key-attribute data store that allows for rapid development and fast access to large quantities of data. Similar to AWS’ SimpleDB and DynamoDB services.
• Queue storage provides messaging for workflow processing and for communication between components of cloud services.
• File storage offers shared storage for legacy applications using the standard server message block (SMB) protocol. File storage is used in a similar manner to EFS in the AWS platform.

Database

Same as on the other point, both providers offer several database services including NoSQL, SQL databases and in-memory databases. Amazon RDS, DynamoDB, and ElastiCache are offered by AWS and SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and Azure Cache for Redis by Azure.

Networking

The Azure and AWS cloud platforms are based on a global cloud infrastructure that connects tens of thousands of lit fibre optic and underwater cable connections and hundreds of data centres worldwide. Both are famous for providing cutting-edge networking services that offer fast performance, high availability, solid security, and worldwide coverage. These cloud providers offer networking services to users. Azure includes HDInsight, Machine Learning, and Power BI. Amazon offers EMR, Amazon Machine.

Learning, and Amazon QuickSight are examples of AWS’s analytics offerings.

Cloud Security

An important factor to take into consideration when deciding which provider to use is cloud security. Both companies invest in cybersecurity research and offer a robust security stance and implement cutting edge technologies.

Amazon and Microsoft deliver cloud security solutions through a combination of three practices(2):

• Security of their cloud: Protecting you by default through their underlying cloud platform infrastructure’s built-in security capabilities.
• Security in the cloud: Allowing you to enhance your cloud deployment’s protection by providing security products and service add-ons available within their cloud platform.
• Security anywhere: Expand security beyond their cloud platform to protect your assets regardless of location through encryption protocols.

It is important to mention that when it comes to Cloud security, it is shared responsibility. So it’s important to ensure that your applications and services are secure as well.

Lastly, it is worth noting that both, AWS and Azure, comply with industry standards and regulations, such as HIPPA, PCI DSS, and ISA 27001.

When the time comes to decide with cloud provider is best for you, Contact our sales team, they are expert in both services and will be ready to help.

1_ https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/aws-professional/storage
2_ https://kinsta.com/blog/aws-vs-azure/#networking-features