AWS vs. Azure: Complete Service-by-Service Migration Guide

Choosing between AWS and Azure isn't just about picking a cloud provider anymore. It's about mapping every service in your current stack to find the best equivalent, understanding migration complexity, and avoiding costly mistakes during the transition.

We've migrated dozens of applications between these platforms, and here's the reality: service-by-service mapping is where most teams get stuck. AWS might have 240+ services, but Azure's 200+ services don't always match one-to-one. The devil is in the details.

This guide breaks down the complete AWS vs. Azure comparison across compute, storage, networking, databases, and specialty services. We'll show you exactly which services map to what, where the gaps exist, and what migration really looks like in practice.

Whether you're evaluating your first cloud move or planning a multi-cloud strategy, this comparison will save you months of research and help you avoid the common pitfalls we've seen teams struggle with.

Quick Comparison Overview

Category	AWS	Azure	Key Difference
Market Position	First major hyperscale cloud, launched in 2006	Enterprise-focused cloud tied closely to Microsoft, launched in 2010	AWS has a larger independent ecosystem; Azure works tightly with Microsoft tools
Target Audience	Startups, digital-native companies, and large enterprises	Enterprise-heavy, especially Microsoft 365, Windows Server, and Active Directory users	Azure fits Microsoft-centric organizations better
Pricing Model	Pay-as-you-go, Savings Plans, Reserved Instances, broad free tier	Pay-as-you-go, Reservations, Savings Plans, free tier with credits for new users	Pricing is similar overall; Azure can be cheaper for Windows workloads
Service Count	Hundreds of native services across compute, storage, databases, AI, and more	Large ecosystem with thousands of products and marketplace offerings	AWS has deeper native services; Azure’s marketplace ecosystem is wider
Global Regions	Regions across Americas, EMEA, and APJ, expanding regularly	70+ regions worldwide with public expansion plans	Azure currently offers more geographic regions
Free Tier	12-month free tier plus always-free limits on selected services	12-month free tier plus upfront credits and some always-free services	Azure usually gives more upfront credit

The biggest difference? AWS treats each service as a standalone product. Azure builds everything around integration with your existing Microsoft stack. If you're running Windows Server, Active Directory, and Office 365, Azure makes sense. If you want best-of-breed services with maximum flexibility, AWS is your pick.

AWS Overview

Amazon Web Services launched in 2006 and never looked back. They've built the most comprehensive cloud platform by treating every possible computing need as a separate service. The result? A platform that can handle anything but requires serious expertise to navigate.

Core AWS Services and Capabilities

Compute Services AWS compute starts with EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud), which gives you virtual machines in every size imaginable. From t2.nano instances for testing to massive GPU clusters for machine learning, EC2 covers it all. AWS Lambda handles serverless computing, and Elastic Beanstalk manages application deployment without the infrastructure headaches.

We've seen teams run everything from simple web apps to complex data processing pipelines on EC2. The flexibility is unmatched, but so is the complexity of choosing the right instance type.

Storage Services S3 (Simple Storage Service) is the gold standard for object storage. It's where most AWS journeys begin because it's reliable, scalable, and integrates with everything. EBS (Elastic Block Store) provides persistent storage for EC2 instances, while Glacier handles long-term archival at rock-bottom prices.

The storage ecosystem is mature. We've stored petabytes in S3 without issues, and the 99.999999999% durability isn't just marketing speak.

Networking Services VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) lets you create isolated networks in the AWS cloud. Direct Connect provides dedicated connections to your on-premises infrastructure. The networking is enterprise-grade with granular control over every aspect.

Database Services RDS (Relational Database Service) manages MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQL Server instances. DynamoDB offers NoSQL at scale. Aurora provides MySQL and PostgreSQL compatibility with better performance than standard RDS.

Specialty Services SageMaker democratizes machine learning with pre-built algorithms and managed infrastructure. Kinesis processes real-time data streams. The specialty services are where AWS really shines, they've got solutions for problems you didn't know you had.

AWS Strengths and Ideal Use Cases

AWS excels when you need maximum flexibility and don't mind complexity. The breadth of services means you can build almost anything, and the mature ecosystem provides battle-tested solutions.

Best for:

• Multi-cloud strategies requiring service portability
• Startups needing to scale quickly without vendor lock-in
• Teams with strong AWS expertise
• Applications requiring specialized services (IoT, ML, analytics)

AWS Limitations and Considerations

The learning curve is steep. New users face analysis paralysis with so many service options. Cost management requires constant attention because it's easy to rack up bills across multiple services.

Pricing Structure AWS uses pay-per-use pricing with discounts for reserved instances. The free tier includes 750 hours of EC2 t2.micro instances, 5GB of S3 storage, and limited usage of other services for 12 months.

Hidden costs bite hard. Data transfer between regions, NAT Gateway usage, and load balancer charges add up quickly. Budget $500-2000 monthly for a typical small business application.

Azure Overview

Microsoft Azure launched in 2010 with a clear mission: make cloud computing seamless for the Microsoft ecosystem. They've succeeded by building services that integrate naturally with Windows, Active Directory, Office 365, and the entire Microsoft stack.

Core Azure Services and Capabilities

Compute Services Azure Virtual Machines mirror AWS EC2 but with better Windows Server integration. Azure Functions compete with AWS Lambda for serverless computing. App Service provides managed hosting for web applications with built-in DevOps integration.

The compute services feel more cohesive than AWS. Everything connects through Azure Active Directory and shares common management tools.

Storage Services Blob Storage is Azure's answer to S3, offering hot, cool, and archive tiers. File Storage provides managed file shares accessible via SMB protocol. The storage services integrate seamlessly with on-premises Windows environments.

Networking Services Virtual Network creates isolated networks similar to AWS VPC. ExpressRoute provides dedicated connections to on-premises infrastructure. The networking focuses on hybrid scenarios where cloud and on-premises resources work together.

Database Services Azure SQL Database offers managed SQL Server with built-in intelligence and security. Cosmos DB provides globally distributed NoSQL with multiple consistency models. The database services shine in enterprise scenarios requiring compliance and integration.

Specialty Services Azure Synapse Analytics combines big data and data warehousing in one platform. Azure OpenAI Service provides access to GPT models and other AI capabilities. The specialty services focus on enterprise scenarios and Microsoft's AI investments.

Azure Strengths and Ideal Use Cases

Azure wins when you're already invested in Microsoft technologies. The integration story is compelling, single sign-on, unified billing, and consistent management across cloud and on-premises resources.

Best for:

• Enterprises with existing Microsoft investments
• Organizations requiring strict compliance and governance
• Teams familiar with Microsoft tools and processes
• Hybrid cloud scenarios mixing on-premises and cloud resources

Azure Limitations and Considerations

Azure can feel limiting outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Integration with non-Microsoft tools requires more work, and the service catalog is smaller than AWS.

Pricing Structure Azure uses consumption-based pricing similar to AWS. The free tier includes 12 months of popular services plus $200 credit for the first 30 days. Reserved instances provide significant discounts for predictable workloads.

For Microsoft-heavy environments, Azure often costs less due to hybrid use benefits and existing licensing agreements.

Head-to-Head Service Comparison

Compute Services Comparison

Service Type	AWS	Azure	Migration Complexity
Virtual Machines	EC2	Virtual Machines	Medium, instance types and configurations differ
Serverless Functions	Lambda	Functions	Low, core concepts are very similar
Container Services	ECS, EKS, Fargate	Container Instances, AKS	High, different orchestration and networking models
Platform as a Service	Elastic Beanstalk	App Service	Medium, deployment models and configs vary

Key Differences: AWS provides more instance types and specialized hardware (GPU, FPGA). Azure offers better Windows Server integration and hybrid scenarios. For Linux workloads, the platforms are comparable. For Windows applications, Azure's integration advantages are significant.

Storage Services Comparison

Service Type	AWS	Azure	Migration Complexity
Object Storage	S3	Blob Storage	Medium, different APIs
Block Storage	EBS	Managed Disks	Low, core concepts are similar
File Storage	EFS	File Storage	Medium, protocol and access differences
Archival Storage	Glacier	Archive Storage	High, different retrieval and restore models

Key Differences: S3 is more mature with better ecosystem integration. Azure Blob Storage offers integrated CDN and better integration with Microsoft applications. Data migration tools exist for both directions, but expect weeks of testing for production workloads.

Networking Services Comparison

Service Type	AWS	Azure	Migration Complexity
Virtual Networks	VPC	Virtual Network	Medium, different IP addressing and management
Load Balancers	ELB, ALB, NLB	Load Balancer, Application Gateway	High, different features and routing options
DNS Services	Route 53	DNS	Low, standard DNS concepts apply
Content Delivery	CloudFront	CDN	Medium, different edge locations and configs

Key Differences: AWS networking is more granular with better traffic control. Azure networking integrates better with on-premises environments through ExpressRoute. Plan for network architecture changes during migration.

Database Services Comparison

Service Type	AWS	Azure	Migration Complexity
Relational Databases	RDS	SQL Database	Medium, different management tools
NoSQL Databases	DynamoDB	Cosmos DB	High, completely different APIs
Data Warehousing	Redshift	Synapse Analytics	High, different architectures
Caching	ElastiCache	Cache for Redis	Low, Redis compatibility

Key Differences: AWS RDS supports more database engines. Azure SQL Database offers better intelligence and automatic tuning. NoSQL migration between DynamoDB and Cosmos DB requires application rewrites.

Use Case Scenarios: When to Choose What

Choose AWS When:

• Multi-cloud strategy: You want to avoid vendor lock-in and maintain portability
• Startup scaling: You need maximum flexibility to experiment with different services
• Specialized requirements: Your applications need AWS-specific services like SageMaker or Kinesis
• Open source preference: You prefer open-source solutions and community-driven tools
• Global reach: You need services in specific geographic regions where AWS has presence

Real-world example: A startup building an IoT platform chose AWS for its comprehensive IoT services (IoT Core, Greengrass, Analytics) and ability to scale globally without platform constraints.

Choose Azure When:

• Microsoft ecosystem: You're running Windows Server, Active Directory, and Office 365
• Enterprise governance: You need strict compliance and unified identity management
• Hybrid scenarios: You want seamless integration between cloud and on-premises resources
• AI integration: You want to leverage Microsoft's AI capabilities and OpenAI partnership
• Cost optimization: You have existing Microsoft licenses that provide hybrid use benefits

Real-world example: A financial services company chose Azure because their existing Active Directory, SQL Server licenses, and compliance requirements made Azure 40% cheaper than AWS.

Budget Considerations

Small Business (Under $2,000/month):

• AWS: Better free tier, but costs rise quickly
• Azure: $200 credit helps with initial setup, ongoing costs depend on Microsoft licensing

Mid-Market ($2,000-$10,000/month):

• AWS: Reserved instances provide significant savings
• Azure: Hybrid use benefits can reduce costs by 20-30%

Enterprise ($10,000+/month):

• Both platforms offer enterprise agreements with custom pricing
• Azure typically wins for Windows-heavy environments
• AWS often better for Linux and open-source workloads

Migration and Implementation Strategy

AWS to Azure Migration

Assessment Phase (2-4 weeks) Use Azure Migrate to assess your current AWS environment. The tool discovers workloads, analyzes dependencies, and provides sizing recommendations. Don't skip this step, we've seen teams underestimate migration complexity by 300%.

Common Challenges:

• S3 to Blob Storage migration requires API changes
• RDS to Azure SQL Database needs connection string updates
• IAM to Azure Active Directory involves identity mapping

Timeline Expectations:

• Simple web application: 2-4 weeks
• Complex multi-tier application: 2-6 months
• Enterprise application with compliance: 6-12 months

Azure to AWS Migration

Assessment Phase (2-4 weeks) AWS Application Discovery Service maps your Azure environment. The challenge is replacing Azure-specific services like Active Directory integration and hybrid connectivity.

Common Challenges:

• Azure AD integration requires Identity Federation setup
• Blob Storage to S3 migration affects application code
• Azure SQL Database to RDS may require schema modifications

Cost Considerations: Budget 10-30% of annual cloud spend for migration tools, consulting, and temporary dual-platform costs. Most migrations require running both platforms for 1-3 months during transition.

Decision Framework: Making the Right Choice

Key Evaluation Questions

1. What's your current technology stack?

• Heavy Microsoft usage → Azure
• Mixed or open-source → AWS

2. What's your cloud strategy?

• Multi-cloud flexibility → AWS
• Deep platform integration → Azure

3. What's your team's expertise?

• Strong Microsoft skills → Azure
• Diverse cloud experience → AWS

4. What are your compliance requirements?

• Government/healthcare → Both support major certifications
• Financial services → Azure often preferred for Microsoft integration

5. What's your budget reality?

• Existing Microsoft licenses → Azure provides hybrid benefits
• No licensing commitments → Compare total cost of ownership

Migration Decision Matrix

Factor	Stay on AWS	Switch to Azure
Current Platform	Already running fully on AWS	On AWS but heavily using Microsoft tools
Team Skills	Strong AWS-certified teams	Teams focused on Microsoft technologies
Application Stack	Linux-based, open source workloads	Windows and .NET workloads
Compliance Needs	Standard compliance requirements	Microsoft-specific or enterprise compliance needs
Budget Impact	Largely neutral	20%+ savings using Azure Hybrid Benefits

Trial Recommendations

Start with proof-of-concept migrations for non-critical applications. Both platforms offer credits for new customers:

• AWS: 12-month free tier
• Azure: $200 credit plus 12-month free tier

Test your specific use cases rather than relying on generic benchmarks. What works for others might not work for your applications.

Bottom Line: Choose Based on Your Reality

AWS wins on service breadth and flexibility. If you want the largest selection of services and don't mind complexity, AWS is your platform. The ecosystem is mature, the community is huge, and you can build almost anything.

Azure wins on integration and enterprise features. If you're running Microsoft technologies and want everything to work together seamlessly, Azure makes sense. The hybrid story is compelling, and the AI integration is getting better fast.

The migration path between platforms is well-established but not trivial. Plan for 2-6 months depending on application complexity, and budget for parallel running costs during transition.

Here's the thing: both platforms will handle your workloads. The real decision comes down to team expertise, existing investments, and long-term strategy. Pick the platform that matches your organization's reality, not the one with the most impressive feature list.

Don't overthink it. Start with a pilot project, measure real costs and complexity, then decide. The best cloud platform is the one your team can actually use effectively.