Most professional advice will point towards a cloud-based service if your company explores hosting options for its official platform. Similarly, when you dive deep into the intricacies of cloud computing, you’ll find yourself bumping into Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS as the two most viable options.
Since choosing between these two most popular options can be a little perplexing, we decided to clear the air for you. So, here’s a detailed comparison of Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS.
Let’s get started.
A Closer Look at Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is a leading cloud computing platform that renders services like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). It is known for its cloud-based innovations in the IT and business landscape.
Microsoft Azure supports analytics, networking, virtual computing, storage, and more. In addition, its ability to replace on-premises servers makes it a feasible option for many upcoming businesses.
Microsoft Azure is an open service that supports all operating systems, frameworks, tools, and languages. The guarantee of 24/7 technical support and 99.9% availability SLA makes it one of the most reliable cloud computing platforms.
The data accessibility of data Microsoft Azure is excellent. Its geosynchronous data centers supporting greater reach and accessibility make it a truly global organization.
It is economical to avail of cloud-based services, as users pay only for what they use. Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Data Factory, Databricks, and Azure Synapse Analytics are the services offered through this cloud-based platform. Microsoft Azure is especially popular among data analysts as they can use it for advanced and real-time analytics. It also generates timely insights by utilizing Power BI visualizations.
Why Choose Microsoft Azure?
Azure provides seamless capabilities to developers for cloud application development and deployment. In addition, the cloud platform offers immense scalability because of its open access to different languages, frameworks, etc.
Since Microsoft’s legacy systems and applications have shaped business journeys over the years, its compatibility with all legacy applications is a plus point. Since converting on-premises licenses to a fully cloud-based network is easy, the cloud integration process becomes effortless.
In many cases, cloud integration can be completed through a single click. With incentives like cheaper operating on Windows and Microsoft SQL Servers via the cloud, Microsoft Azure attracts a large segment of IT companies and professionals.
A Closer Look at Amazon AWS
Amazon AWS is the leading cloud computing platform with efficient computing power and excellent functionality. Developers use the Amazon AWS platform extensively to build applications due to its broad scope of scalability and adaptation to various features and functionalities.
It is currently the most comprehensively used cloud platform in the world. More than 200 cloud-based services are currently available on this platform.
Amazon Web Services include IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, respectively. In addition, the platform is highly flexible to add or update any software or service that your application exclusively requires.
It is an Open Access platform where machine learning capabilities are also within reach of the developers – all thanks to SageMaker.
This platform has excellent penetration and presence across the globe, with 80 availability zones in 25 major geographical regions worldwide. But, just like Microsoft Azure, the Amazon AWS model is highly economical.
Businesses only need to pay for the services they use, including computing power and cloud storage, among other necessities.
Why Choose Amazon AWS?
The Compute Cloud offering allows you to use dynamic storage based on the current demands of your operations. You can use any operating system and programming language of your choice to develop on Amazon AWS.
Besides, all cloud integration services on the Amazon AWS platform are broad-spectrum and practical. The comprehensive tech support available 24/7 is a silver lining too.
The Amazon AWS platform enjoys excellent popularity with several high-profile customers. The transfer stability in the Amazon AWS offerings is quite good, implying that you won’t lose any functionality during migrations.
The instances of latency problems and lack of DevOps support are minimal with this platform.
Comparing Azure and AWS
- By Computing Power
Azure and AWS have excellent computing power but different features and offerings. For example, AWS EC2 supports the configuration of virtual machines and utilizing pre-configured machine images. Further, images can be customized with the Amazon AWS platform.
Unlike the machine instance in Amazon AWS used to create virtual machines, Azure users get to use Virtual Hard Disks (VHD). Virtual Hard Disks can be pre-configured by the users or by Microsoft. Pre-configuration can be achieved with third-party automation testing services based on the user’s requirement.
- By Cloud Storage
Storage in Amazon AWS is allocated based on the initiation of an ‘Instance.’ This is temporary storage because it gets destroyed once the instance is terminated. Therefore, Amazon AWS’s cloud storage caters to the dynamic storage needs of the developers.
Microsoft Azure also offers temporary storage through D drives, Page Blobs, Block Blobs, and Files. Microsoft Azure also has relational databases and supports information retrieval with import-export facilities.
- By Network
The Virtual Private Cloud on Amazon AWS allows users to create isolated networks within the same Cloud platform. Users also get to create private IP address ranges, subnets, network gateways, and route tables. You can avail of test automation services to check the networking success.
The networking options on Microsoft Azure are like that of Amazon AWS. Microsoft Azure offers Virtual Network (VNET) where isolated networks and subnets can be created. Test automation services can help in assessing existing networks.
- By Pricing
Amazon AWS’s pricing is based on the services you use. Its simple pay-as-you-use model allows you to pay only for the services you use – without getting into the hassle of term-based contracts or licensing.
Microsoft Azure, too, has a pay-as-you-go model, just that their calculations are by the minute. Also, Azure offers short-term packages where pre-paid and monthly charges are applicable.
The Bottom Line
We hope you’ve got enough to decide which cloud computing platform is most suitable for your needs. For more advice on Cloud Application Development, reach out to our team at [email protected]
Utthunga is a leading Cloud service provider catering solutions like cloud integration services, automation testing services, and digital transformation consulting. To know more about what we do, contact our representatives today.