AWS vs Azure: Which is the Better Cloud Platform?

Cloud computing offers a wide range of benefits over on-premise computing alternatives. These benefits are the main reason the expected growth in the cloud computing market size is a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.1 percent from 2023 to 2030.

Azure and AWS are currently the two dominant forces in the market, together controlling over 50 percent of global cloud infrastructure. While both platforms offer robust solutions, they each have distinct advantages and specific use cases where they excel.

This comprehensive guide will provide a detailed comparison of AWS vs Azure to help you make an informed decision for your organization’s needs.

Understanding AWS and Azure

These two cloud computing leaders have shaped the industry through their innovative services and continuous growth. Here’s what makes each platform unique.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) overview

AWS, an Amazon subsidiary, offers a wide range of on-demand cloud computing solutions and APIs on a pay-as-you-go model. Their service catalog includes over 200 products, with popular options like Amazon EC2, AWS Lambda, RDS, S3, and DynamoDB.

The platform’s key strength is its flexibility and scalability. Users can easily scale resources up or down with autoscaling features to match their workload needs. While AWS offers plenty of options, the sheer number of services can be challenging to navigate at first, even for experienced developers.

Microsoft Azure overview

Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform, provides tools for building, managing, and deploying applications across a global network of data centers. Like AWS, Azure offers over 200 services, including Azure Cosmos DB, Azure SQL Database, DevOps Server, Azure Functions, and Microsoft Entra ID.

Azure’s biggest advantage is how well it works with Microsoft’s other products. If your company already uses Microsoft tools, Azure is often a natural fit. The familiar interface makes it easier to learn and use, especially for teams that work with Microsoft products daily.

AWS vs Azure comparison

To help you evaluate these cloud giants, here’s a quick overview of their key differences:

Here’s an in-depth look at how these platforms compare across essential features and capabilities that matter most to enterprises:

Ease of use

Azure, which is part of Microsoft’s ecosystem, offers a familiar interface for users who are acquainted with Microsoft products. This familiarity streamlines the transition to the cloud for those with existing Microsoft-based infrastructures. This familiarity can significantly reduce the learning curve and allow for a more seamless integration into a Microsoft-powered environment.

AWS provides a wide range of services but is known for its complexity. While it offers a vast selection, the multitude of services might initially overwhelm users, especially those new to the platform. However, for those willing to invest time into understanding the platform, it provides depth and flexibility in its offerings.

Market share and growth trends

AWS maintains its leadership position with a stable 31-33 percent market share in the global cloud infrastructure market, while Microsoft Azure holds 20-25 percent, according to Statista. 

AWS demonstrated strong performance with $27.5 billion in Q3 2024 sales, showing 19 percent year-over-year growth, and its annual revenue grew from $80 billion to $90 billion in 2023. Azure’s growth trajectory has been similarly impressive, with its Intelligent Cloud revenue reaching $24.1 billion in Q3 2024, marking a 20 percent year-over-year increase. 

Core services

Both AWS and Azure provide comprehensive service offerings across four key infrastructure categories: compute, storage, database, and networking.

• Compute services: Both AWS EC2 and Azure Virtual Machines offer a wide range of instance types optimized for different workloads, from general-purpose computing to specialized tasks like machine learning and high-performance computing. Each platform provides flexible scaling options and supports both Windows and Linux environments.
• Storage services: AWS offers three primary storage solutions: Amazon S3 for object storage, Amazon EBS for block storage, and Amazon EFS for file storage. Azure provides a broader range of storage options, including Azure Blobs for object storage, Azure Files for file shares, Azure managed Disks for block storage, Azure Elastic SAN, Azure Queues, and Azure Tables. Both platforms offer various storage tiers optimized for different performance and cost requirements.
• Database services: AWS’s flagship database offering is Amazon DynamoDB, which provides serverless NoSQL database capabilities with single-digit millisecond performance. Azure’s database portfolio is led by Azure Cosmos DB, offering fully managed, distributed NoSQL and relational database capabilities with support for PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Apache Cassandra.
• Networking services: AWS networking infrastructure centers around AWS Direct Connect, which provides dedicated network connections from on-premises to AWS, supporting both IPv4 and IPv6, and enables virtual interfaces for public and private connectivity. Azure’s networking capabilities include ExpressRoute for private cloud connections, Virtual Network for network isolation and segmentation, VPN Gateway for encrypted cross-premises connections, and Virtual WAN for unified networking operations.

Security and compliance

AWS provides comprehensive cloud security through network firewalls, DDoS mitigation, and automated traffic encryption between facilities. Their approach emphasizes automation and built-in security features. Azure implements machine learning-based security monitoring, offering protection against web attacks and malware, along with integrated application security scanning.

On the compliance front, AWS maintains certifications covering 190 countries, including ISO 27001 and SOC standards, plus regional certifications like C5 (Germany) and industry-specific compliance such as PCI DSS Level 1. Azure offers similar coverage with CIS benchmark, CSA STAR, and specialized frameworks for healthcare and financial services.

For data protection, both platforms use AES-256 encryption for data at rest and in transit. AWS manages encryption through AWS KMS, while Azure provides multiple encryption models and Transparent Data Encryption for databases.

In terms of access control, AWS IAM offers fine-grained access control with attribute-based permissions, while Azure uses Microsoft Entra ID for centralized identity management, supporting Single Sign-On and zero trust security principles.

Pricing

The pricing models for both platforms reflect their enterprise-focused approach. AWS implements a pay-per-second billing system with options for Reserved Instances spanning 1-3 year commitments and Savings Plans for flexible commitments. 

Azure operates on a pay-per-minute billing structure, offers Reserved Instances, and provides unique advantages through hybrid-use benefits for existing Microsoft license holders. Both platforms offer volume-based discounts, though their structures differ significantly.

Deploying applications

Azure and AWS present a more complex and time-consuming deployment process, especially for beginners. Azure offers a range of deployment options, such as cloud and container services, functions, batches, and app services, among others. Similarly, AWS provides options like Elastic Beanstalk, Batch, Lambda, and containers. 

These platforms offer extensive flexibility in deploying applications but will usually require delving into documentation or tutorials to navigate through their services effectively. The trade-off for this complexity is the versatility and extensive options available for deploying apps. 

Customer support

AWS and Azure also offer reliable customer support, typically accessible through email or various other channels. Azure excels in customer service, often preferred over AWS due to its responsiveness and support quality.

AWS vs Azure: Which is best for you?

AWS pros and cons

Pros

• Vast service offerings: An extensive suite of services providing flexibility and depth in cloud solutions.
• Scalability: AWS is known for its scalability, accommodating varied workloads.
• Global presence:  A well-established global network with data centers across several regions.

Cons

• Complexity: Extensive services can be overwhelming and may require time to navigate, especially for new users.
• Costs: The pricing structure might become steep as services scale up, potentially leading to higher costs.

Azure pros and cons

Pros

• Microsoft integration: Seamless integration for those already using Microsoft products and services.
• Flexibility in deployment: Diverse deployment options for applications within the cloud infrastructure.
• Global network: Access to a global network of data centers.

Cons

• Cost: Tends to be more expensive, especially with scaling services.
• Default settings: Some services may not be entirely secure by default, potentially exposing vulnerabilities.

Alternative solutions: Cloud Studio by Liquid Web

While AWS and Azure dominate the cloud market, developers seeking simpler cloud solutions might find value in alternatives like Cloud Studio by Liquid Web. This platform offers a streamlined approach to cloud hosting through two main products: cloud-based bare metal servers and cloud VPS hosting.

Cloud Studio distinguishes itself through its simplified deployment process and competitive pricing structure. The platform offers VPS hosting starting at just $5 USD per month, while its Bare Metal Cloud option begins at $115 USD monthly, providing substantial resources including a 4-core CPU, 12GB RAM, and 394GB storage. Its software-agnostic architecture ensures easy integration with both new and existing applications.

One of Cloud Studio’s main features is its exceptional uptime performance of 99.9992 percent, combined with 24/7 personalized customer support. This level of reliability and assistance makes it particularly appealing for developers who value direct support and consistent performance.

The platform is especially well-suited for development teams prioritizing quick deployment and simple management over extensive service catalogs. It serves as an ideal solution for projects requiring cost-effective hosting solutions and applications needing reliable uptime without complex configuration requirements. 

Get started with Cloud Studio today

As discussed, Azure and AWS offer greater flexibility, versatile computing resources, and services compared to Cloud Studio. However, these benefits come at a significantly higher cost and complexity. Cloud Studio is the prime choice, especially for developers valuing ease of use and not necessarily requiring the extensive computing resources or specialized services provided by AWS and Azure platforms.

To get started with Cloud Studio, the first step is creating an account with Liquid Web, with the option to sign up using Google. After creating your account, choose between Bare Metal Cloud and Cloud VPS Hosting. You should then make a few more configurations, including choosing the server location, operating system, template, and hardware resources that meet your app’s needs, and you will be good to go. 

The key distinction between Cloud Metal and Cloud VPS lies in flexibility. Cloud Metal grants more control over hardware to meet the unique needs of your application, even allowing the selection of the specific CPU model. On the other hand, Cloud VPS offers a more affordable option, enabling resource adjustments without requiring as many choices.

Learn more about Cloud Studio and get started today!