AWS vs Microsoft Azure: Cloud Platform Comparison
Compare service portfolios, Active Directory integrations, and developer ecosystems to choose the right cloud.
Two Cloud Giants, Different Strengths
AWS dominates the global public cloud market with the largest catalog of granular developer services and specialized infrastructure tools. Microsoft Azure is the preferred cloud choice for enterprise organizations leveraging deep Active Directory identity governance, native Windows Server ecosystems, SQL Server databases, and enterprise Microsoft agreements. Choosing between AWS and Azure depends on your technology stack, compliance framework requirements, and existing organizational infrastructure. For greenfield cloud-native applications without Microsoft dependencies, AWS provides the broadest selection of managed services, globally distributed edge locations, and the most mature serverless and ML tooling available on any single provider. For organizations with existing Microsoft Enterprise Agreements, Azure often provides significant cost savings through included credits and Hybrid Benefit licensing for SQL Server and Windows Server workloads.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AWS | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Market Share | Market Leader (~32%) | Strong Enterprise Challenger (~23%) |
| Windows Integration | Supported via virtual instances | Native, seamless Active Directory integration |
| Kubernetes Engine | Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) | Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) |
| IAM Framework | AWS IAM Roles and Policies | Azure Active Directory (AAD) |
| Serverless Functions | AWS Lambda | Azure Functions |
When to Choose Each
Choose AWS when...
You are building cloud-native applications with serverless functions, need the broadest service catalog, or require mature global CDN and edge infrastructure.
Choose Azure when...
Your organization runs Microsoft workloads (Active Directory, SQL Server, .NET) or holds existing Microsoft Enterprise Agreements that include Azure credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose the Right Cloud Platform
Contact our cloud architects to discuss your multi-cloud strategy or consult with an AWS and Azure specialist today.