Direct comparison
AWS vs Microsoft Azure
AWS or Microsoft Azure? The direct cloud comparison of services, data centers, costs and sovereignty. Services, pricing, data centers and sovereignty in a direct comparison.
Management summary
As of 2026-07AWS and Microsoft Azure dominate the global cloud market, each offering over 200 services and an extremely broad strategic focus (AWS 10/10, Azure 9/10). Both providers offer excellent core infrastructure competencies in databases, storage, and networking, with AWS scoring maximum points here (10/10). The decisive difference lies in ecosystem integration: Azure is the first choice for Microsoft-centric enterprises (Microsoft Score 10/10, Collaboration Tools 10/10), while AWS convinces with its deepest portfolio and leading big data platform (9/10) for technology-driven innovations. Regarding sovereignty and costs, both providers show similar profiles: low technological sovereignty (AWS 4/10, Azure 5/10) due to lock-in risks, and below-average price competitiveness (both 4/10). For DACH customers with strict EU sovereignty requirements, both are only conditionally suitable due to their US jurisdiction (SEAL Scores ~4/10), thus requiring specific protective measures such as BYOK.
Methodology & data basisAWS
HyperscalerUSP: Market leader with the widest range of features and global reach
Recommendation: Recommended for innovation drivers and international scaling
Microsoft Azure
HyperscalerUSP: Leading in data analytics, AI, and Kubernetes
Recommendation: Recommended for enterprises heavily invested in Microsoft.
Performance chart
AWS and Microsoft Azure across 8 core categories, compared with the average of all providers (1–10).
Market positioning
All 13 providers by sovereignty and portfolio performance — purely computed from the category ratings.
Positions are purely computational: X = mean of technological & operational sovereignty, Y = mean of all remaining rating categories (each 1–10). Not a ranking recommendation. Methodology & data basis
Strengths & weaknesses
Automatically derived from the editorially reviewed rating data and backed by the category ratings (1–10) — fair to both sides.
Strengths
- Broadest service portfolio on the market with a maximum rating in Strategic Opportunities (10/10), ranging from IaaS to Quantum Computing (Braket).
- Excellent core infrastructure competencies: Databases, storage, networking, virtualization, and high availability are each rated 10/10.
- Leading big data platform with a score of 9/10 (average of all providers: 4.8), supported by services such as EMR, Glue, and SageMaker Lakehouse.
- Strong data security and encryption with 9/10 (average of all providers: 7.8), underpinned by CloudHSM, KMS, and Nitro Enclaves.
Points to consider
- Low technological sovereignty with 4/10 (average of all providers: 7.4), indicating proprietary technologies and a high lock-in risk.
- Weak price competitiveness with a rating of 4/10 (average of all providers: 6.4), particularly for CPU (4.2/10), RAM (3.0/10), and Egress (3.0/10).
- Limited operational sovereignty with 7/10 (average of all providers: 8.0), due to US jurisdiction and the low SEAL score of 4.1/10.
Strengths
- Top scores in Data Security & Encryption with 10/10 (average of all providers: 7.8), enabled by Confidential VMs, BYOK, and Dedicated HSM.
- Leading position in AI with a maximum score of 10/10 (average of all providers: 4.8), supported by Azure OpenAI and Microsoft Foundry.
- Optimal integration for Microsoft workloads (10/10) and Collaboration Tools (10/10), allowing seamless connection to Windows Server, MSSQL, and M365.
- Global reach with 10/10 (average of all providers: 4.5) through 300 data centers in 36 countries and 70+ regions, including a strong DACH presence.
Points to consider
- Low technological sovereignty with 5/10 (average of all providers: 7.4), also characterized by a proprietary platform and lock-in risks.
- Weak operational sovereignty with 5/10 (average of all providers: 8.0), which is significantly below the industry average and influenced by the global operating model.
- High costs with a price rating of 4/10 (average of all providers: 6.4), where egress costs (3.0/10) increase the TCO for pure IaaS workloads.
Which provider when?
Use-case-based decision aid — both options are a valid choice.
Choose AWS if:
- You need the deepest and broadest cloud portfolio on the market to ensure maximum strategic flexibility for future use cases.
- Your architecture is heavily based on Linux workloads and you require a leading big data platform for complex analytics scenarios.
- You prioritize excellent core infrastructure competencies in databases, storage, and networking with maximum maturity and availability.
- You are looking for a provider with the largest global reach outside of Europe for international scaling.
Choose Microsoft Azure if:
- Your company is deeply integrated into the Microsoft ecosystem and requires seamless connection to Windows Server, MSSQL, Entra ID, and M365.
- AI and Machine Learning are central strategic pillars of your company and you need the leading AI platform (Score 10/10).
- You need a cloud solution with strong integration of collaboration tools and workplace services directly into the infrastructure.
- You prefer a platform with the highest rating in Data Security & Encryption (10/10) for sensitive data processing.
Service comparison by category
All 19 rating categories in a head-to-head duel (1–10). A notable lead is marked from a 2-point difference.
| Category | AWSvsMicrosoft AzureScale 1–10 | Avg. all | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Security & Encryption | 910 | 7.8 | balanced |
| Technological Sovereignty | 45 | 7.4 | balanced |
| Operational Sovereignty | 75 | 8 | Lead AWS |
| Strategic Capabilities | 109 | 6.2 | balanced |
| Price | 44 | 6.4 | balanced |
| Collaboration Tools | 410 | 5.1 | Lead Microsoft Azure |
| Global Reach | 910 | 4.5 | balanced |
| Big Data | 98 | 4.8 | balanced |
| AI | 710 | 4.8 | Lead Microsoft Azure |
| Bare Metal | 33 | 5.2 | balanced |
| Virtualization | 1010 | 5.7 | balanced |
| Containerization | 99 | 7.3 | balanced |
| Databases | 1010 | 6.9 | balanced |
| High Availability | 109 | 6.7 | balanced |
| Microsoft | 610 | 4.5 | Lead Microsoft Azure |
| Linux | 1010 | 8.8 | balanced |
| Encryption | 99 | 6.8 | balanced |
| Storage | 1010 | 7.7 | balanced |
| Network | 1010 | 7.8 | balanced |
Management Summary
Sovereign Cloud
SEAL Framework
Strategic (15 %)
Legal & Jurisdictional (10 %)
Data & AI (10 %)
Operational (15 %)
Supply Chain (20 %)
Technology (15 %)
Security & Compliance (10 %)
Environmental (5 %)
Availability & Locations
Compute
shared & low-budget
Hot Storage
Cold Storage
Managed Databases
Network & Security
Orchestration
Virtualization
Management
Big Data
AI & Machine Learning
Quantum Computing
Compliance & Certificates
German cloud security catalogue
IT service management system standard
Information security management system
Cloud security controls for providers
Personal data protection for cloud
Privacy information management extension
Energy management for data centers
Cloud Security Alliance assurance registry
Service organization control audit reports
Payment card data security standard
Quality management system standard
Cost Indication
vCPU/h
H100/h
GB/h
CPU/h
Ratio1/4
GB/h | 3000 IOPS
GB/h
GB/h
GB/h
Cluster/h
per 1 Mil Requests
GB-Sec
LLama3.3-70B per 1Mil tokens
LLama3.3-70B per 1Mil tokens
per GB
Our comparison methodology
The scores show a relative price comparison per service category. The lowest price earns 10 points; higher prices are marked down proportionally. Missing services are treated neutrally.
As of: List prices as of 11 September 2025, location Germany (DE).
More cloud comparisons
Frequently asked questions: AWS vs Microsoft Azure
What is the difference between AWS and Microsoft Azure?
Both providers are hyperscalers with over 200 services and similar strengths in core infrastructure areas. AWS leads in Strategic Opportunities (10/10 vs. 9/10) and Big Data (9/10 vs. 8/10), while Azure is significantly stronger in AI (10/10 vs. 7/10) and Microsoft integration (10/10 vs. 6/10). Azure also offers better collaboration tools (10/10 vs. 5/10). AWS has a slightly higher rating in Data Security & Encryption (9/10 vs. 10/10, where Azure is stronger, correction: Azure has 10/10, AWS 9/10). Both have similar weaknesses in price (4/10) and technological sovereignty.
Which provider is more sovereign for DACH customers?
Neither provider fully meets high EU sovereignty requirements. AWS has a SEAL score of 4.1/10 (41%) and Azure 4.4/10 (44%). Both have US data residency and low scores in SOV-2 Legal (2/10) due to the US CLOUD Act. Operational sovereignty is 7/10 for AWS and 5/10 for Azure, both below the average of all providers (8.0). For strict sovereignty, additional measures such as BYOK or specialized EU providers should be considered.
Who is cheaper: AWS or Azure?
Both providers have a below-average price rating of 4/10 (average of all providers: 6.4). AWS has a cost rating of 6.0/10, Azure 5.7/10. Actual costs are highly workload-dependent. For CPU, AWS is slightly more expensive at 4.2/10 than Azure at 4.0/10; for RAM, AWS is significantly more expensive at 3.0/10 than Azure at 3.6/10. Egress costs are high for both at 3.0/10. Saving Plans offer up to 72% savings for AWS and 62% for Azure.
Which provider is better for Microsoft workloads?
Microsoft Azure is clearly superior with a maximum score of 10/10 in the Microsoft category. This includes optimal support for Windows Server, managed MSSQL, AD integration, and Hyper-V migration paths. AWS only achieves 6/10 here (average of all providers: 4.5). Additionally, Azure offers seamless integration into collaboration tools (10/10), while AWS only achieves 5/10.
How do the AI offerings compare?
Microsoft Azure leads significantly in the AI category with a maximum score of 10/10 (average of all providers: 4.8), supported by Azure OpenAI and Microsoft Foundry. AWS achieves 7/10 here. Both offer GenAI APIs and GPU availability, but Azure has a broader and deeper integration into the AI ecosystem, especially for companies already using Microsoft tools.
Not sure which provider fits you?
The Cloud Compass determines the best cloud for your use case — data-driven and vendor-neutral.
Start Cloud Compass