Migrating from AWS (Amazon Web Services) to Azure: Advantages and Disadvantages

Cloud technology has become an important part of the IT infrastructure for a wide range of businesses in different industries. Many businesses use cloud computing platforms for data storage, file sharing, collaboration, and scalable computing power without the need for their own physical servers. Cloud computing platforms are also reliable and cost-efficient as businesses generally only pay for the resources they actually use within the cloud environment.

The cloud computing platforms that are most in demand are Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Both platforms offer a consistently growing list of comparable services with cloud computing capacities that are essentially equal. However, there are differences when it comes to implementation, cost, ease of migration, security, and data backup and recovery. In this guide, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of migrating from AWS to Azure as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each cloud computing platform so you can choose the platform that best suits the needs of your business or organization.

What is Amazon Web Services (AWS)?

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform from Amazon that offers over 200 on-demand services including storage, analytics, computing, databases, content delivery, networking, and developer and management tools. AWS offers a pay-as-you-go model that scales with business growth and its capabilities allow businesses to be more agile with their growth and innovation. This platform is used by fast-growing startups, large enterprises, and government agencies.

What is Microsoft Azure? 

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and service created by Microsoft. It provides a wide range of cloud-based services and solutions, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and hybrid cloud support, that allow organizations to build, deploy, and manage applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers worldwide. Azure supports various programming languages, tools, and frameworks, including both Microsoft-specific and third-party software and systems, as well as a wide range of integrated frameworks, SDKs, and APIs which makes it a great platform for machine learning and building an AI platform. Azure also offers pay-as-you-go pricing, so businesses only pay for the resources they use.

Businesses of all types and sizes benefit from using Microsoft Azure.

What are the Advantages of Migrating from AWS to Azure?

AWS and Azure are among the top used cloud computing platforms available and they offer similar services and capabilities with cost-effective pay-as-you-go pricing. So why should your business migrate from AWS to Azure? Microsoft Azure has several advantages over AWS that could benefit your business, including better compliance and integration with Microsoft products, a more scalable infrastructure, and in-depth security and analytics.

The following are the main advantages of migrating from AWS to Azure:

Usability

Microsoft Azure is easier to implement as it has a more integrated platform compared to the loosely coupled nature of AWS services. The ease of integration with existing systems allows for smoother transitions and enhanced productivity as businesses can build their cloud environment faster within Azure. While AWS offers more customization options, it takes a certain level of technical expertise to use which makes implementation more challenging.

Azure is easier to use for businesses that do not have IT professionals and everything within this platform interconnects with a single sign-on.

Integration with Microsoft Products

Many businesses already use Microsoft products sch as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Power Platform. Azure easily integrates with Microsoft products and allows Azure users to extend their existing Microsoft subscriptions into Azure’s cloud environment. AWS does not have a native connection to commonly used Microsoft products like Azure.

Flexibility

The needs of small and medium sized businesses constantly evolve, and they may need the flexibility to use multiple apps within their cloud environment. While Azure and AWS both offer a number of apps that can be used on their platforms, Azure adds new features and apps faster which provides users with greater flexibility and agility.

Ease of Migration

Azure has native integrations with Microsoft products as well as Windows development tools which make migration much easier for businesses using these tools and products. The ease of migration is important as it minimizes risks that come with cloud migration such as loss of data, security threats, and cloud incompatibility with your existing system architecture. Azure is also more cost-effective than AWS for businesses that use Windows and Microsoft products.

Hybrid Cloud Capabilities 

One of the biggest advantages Azure has over AWS is its superior hybrid cloud capabilities. A hybrid cloud is a cloud computing environment that consists of an on-premises private cloud and a public cloud with the ability to share data and applications between the two clouds. There are two main advantages of using a hybrid cloud environment. One advantage is that the latency, which is the delay between a request and the response of the cloud service provider, is much shorter within hybrid cloud environments. The other advantage is that businesses that store sensitive data can use a private cloud to store this data and the public cloud to store data that is not as sensitive.

Azure provides a larger range of options for hybrid cloud environments than AWS which makes it a better option for businesses that require hybrid cloud computing. You can get started with Azure using a traditional datacenter hybrid environment and migrate services to the cloud using features such as Azure Hybrid Benefit, to establish a secure, low-latency connection between Azure and your on-premises data center.

Pricing and Scalability

Azure and AWS both use pay-as-you-go pricing with the main difference being that AWS charges by the hour while Azure charges by the minute. However, if AWS is used to run Windows workloads, Microsoft charges users twice, which makes AWS the more expensive option for businesses using Windows Server or SQL Server. The difference in pricing largely depends on how businesses would use each platform. Azure is the more cost-effective option for businesses using Microsoft products and Windows tools.

Azure’s pay-as-you-go pricing also allows businesses to scale up or down as needed to efficiently handle workload fluctuations and maximize the use of the available resources.

Security and Compliance

While both AWS and Azure have the capability to secure your data, Microsoft makes a much larger investment in security at about $1 billion per year. The enhanced security features of Azure, including built-in encryption and advanced threat protection, safeguard data from cyber threats and allow the control of user permissions to limit access to certain resources within the cloud. Azure also offers better recovery rates in the event of a data breach or attack.

Azure is better equipped than AWS to meet local data residency and compliance requirements. Microsoft has invested more into certification including HIPAA, FedRAMP, and ISO which makes Azure a better choice for regulated industries and government agencies.

Innovation

Microsoft makes considerable investments in research and development to drive innovation and expand capabilities with artificial intelligence, edge computing, quantum computing, and security. Many businesses choose Azure to take advantage of the cutting-edge innovations that Microsoft brings to the platform.

Advanced Analytics

Azure offers more advanced analytics capabilities than AWS with services that include Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Cognitive Services. These services allow businesses to process and analyze large volumes of data and derive valuable insights that lead to better decision-making and innovation that give businesses an edge over their competition.

The analytics capabilities of AWS are much more fragmented than those of Azure.

PaaS Capabilities

Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model in which users get access to hardware and software tools online from a third-party provider. PaaS helps improve productivity and minimize the time required for setup and maintenance of the underlying infrastructure, thereby accelerating the application development process. Azure and AWS both have PaaS capabilities for virtual networking, storage, and machines, but the PaaS capabilities of Azure are faster and more effective.

What are the Disadvantages of Migrating from AWS to Azure?

While there are certainly advantages to migrating from AWS to Azure, there are also a few drawbacks to consider before making the switch. The following are the main disadvantages of migrating to Azure from AWS:

• Documentation and Ease of Use: The AWS interface has many features that make it simple to use and allows for extensive documentation. It is more difficult to understand and locate documentation with Azure.
• Licensing and License Flexibility: The licenses from AWS are more flexible than those of Azure and have more features. The licenses for Azure are easier for Windows users and offer more SaaS options.
• Open-Source Software: AWS is more compatible with open-source applications and runs well on Linux. Azure is becoming more accommodating to open-source developers but has not caught up to AWS.

Migrate to Microsoft Azure from AWS with PSM

AWS and Azure offer powerful cloud computing solutions, but migrating from AWS to Azure presents several advantages, particularly for businesses that rely on Microsoft products. Azure provides superior integration, cost-effective pricing, enhanced security, and advanced hybrid cloud capabilities, making it a strong contender for businesses seeking a scalable and flexible cloud environment. However, it is essential to consider the potential drawbacks, such as documentation challenges and open-source compatibility, before making the transition. Ultimately, the choice between AWS and Azure depends on your business’s specific needs, infrastructure, and long-term cloud strategy.

If you want to migrate from AWS to Azure, our experts at PSM can help ensure a seamless migration. We are a managed service provider (MSP) that offers Azure services, including migration services, security implementation, and Azure cloud backup.

You can call PSM at (312) 940-7830 or fill out a contact form to learn more about how our managed IT services can benefit your business.