Azure vs AWS in London: Cloud Platform Comparison

London businesses have a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing a cloud platform. Both Azure and AWS have strong reputations, but they cater to different needs.

Azure has a strong presence in London, with multiple data centers located throughout the city. This proximity can result in faster data transfer speeds and reduced latency.

AWS also has a significant presence in London, with several data centers and a growing list of partners. This can provide businesses with a wide range of options for building and deploying their applications.

The cost of using Azure or AWS in London can vary depending on the specific services and features used. However, Azure has a reputation for being more cost-effective in certain scenarios.

Both Azure and AWS offer a range of key features that make them suitable for businesses in London. Azure and AWS cover many of the same areas, including compute, content delivery and storage, database, and networking.

Azure and AWS also offer comparable functionality to solve the same set of problems, such as compute, performance, data management and databases, and networking.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of the key features you get from Azure and AWS:

Both Azure and AWS offer robust storage solutions, but they approach it differently. Azure offers two classes of storage: Hot and Cool, with Cool storage being less expensive but with additional read and write costs.

Temporary storage is available on both platforms, with Azure offering it through D drive and AWS through machine instances. Block storage is also available on both platforms, with Azure using Page Blobs for VMs and AWS using block storage attached to an instance.

Object storage is a key feature, with Azure offering it through Block Blobs and Files, and AWS offering it through S3. Data archiving is also supported on both platforms, with Azure using Azure Table and HDInsight, and AWS using Glacier.

Storage limits vary between the two platforms, with AWS having an object size limit of 5 TB and Azure having a size limit of 4.75 TB. Unlimited allowed objects are available on both platforms, making it easy to scale your storage needs.

When choosing between Azure and AWS, it's essential to consider the unique features and services each provider offers. Azure's "Web Apps" service stands out with auto scaling and load balancing built in, giving it an edge over AWS.

Azure's "Web Apps" service has auto scaling and load balancing built in, which is a game-changer for businesses with fluctuating traffic. This means you can scale up or down automatically to match your needs, without having to worry about manual adjustments.

AWS, on the other hand, has a service called Glacier that offers secure, durable, and extremely low-cost cloud storage. This is a great option for businesses that need to store large amounts of data long-term.

Here's a brief comparison of the two services:

By considering these unique features and services, you can make an informed decision about which provider is best for your business.

Azure and AWS offer similar pricing models, but Azure charges by the minute rather than by the hour. This means you benefit from a more precise model.

Both Azure and AWS have user-friendly interfaces, but in different ways. AWS offers more flexibility and customisation, but has a steep learning curve. Azure, on the other hand, is easier to run "out of the box" because it's a Windows product.

Azure's pricing model also offers short-term commitments, which can be a great advantage for new organisations. This allows you to use one or more short-term contracts to determine your resource needs before locking into a 1 or 3-year contract.

Azure is a good choice if your organisation is already using Windows products and services. It's also the winner when it comes to hybrid cloud computing, with platforms such as Hybrid SQLServer and AzureStack.

Here are the pricing models offered by Azure and AWS:

AWS and Azure both offer free introductory tiers to give you a taste of how their systems can integrate with your on-premise software.

Both have a pay-as-you-go structure, so you can change or end your contract anytime if it's not working out.

AWS charges per hour, with instances purchasable on-demand, spot, or reserved.

Azure charges per-minute, offering a more exact pricing model than AWS.

You can receive BT MPLS ExpressRoute pricing for Microsoft Azure, which means you can extend your private business network into the cloud with the functionality you need.

To get a better understanding of the costs, you can use the calculators provided by AWS and Azure: https://calculator.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html and https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/pricing/calculator/ respectively.

Microsoft partners can also receive discounts for Azure depending on their partner level.

Signing up for a contracted time period may deliver further cost savings.

In the cloud computing market, two giants stand out: Azure and AWS. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, which are worth considering when deciding which one to use in London.

Azure is a relatively young cloud solution, but it's made up for its youth by being tightly integrated with Microsoft solutions. This means organisations that already rely on Microsoft applications and solutions will have an easier time integrating Azure.

Azure's pricing model is pay-as-you-go, billed per minute, which offers excellent value for money. This is a significant advantage for businesses that want to keep costs down.

One of the key benefits of Azure is its hybrid cloud solutions, which enable businesses to retain their current on-premises infrastructure while expanding into the cloud gradually. This is particularly useful for organisations that want to transition to the cloud at their own pace.

Azure has more global regions than AWS, with over 60 regions across 140 countries. This means Azure can provide better support and services to businesses operating in multiple locations.

Here are some key pros and cons of Azure:

On the other hand, AWS has a more complicated pricing model, billed by the hour. However, it provides extensive support for third-party integrations and a wide range of developer tools.

AWS has a vast array of cloud services that cater to diverse business needs, including computing, storage, databases, machine learning, and more. However, it has fewer global regions than Azure, with 32 geographic regions, and plans for 4 more.

AWS's hybrid capabilities are not as tailored to hybrid scenarios as Azure's, but it still offers a viable option for businesses that need to integrate their on-premises infrastructure with the cloud.

Security is a top concern for any cloud provider, and AWS and Azure are no exception. AWS goes into detail about its compliance standards, while Azure does the same.

If you have specific security requirements, such as encrypting your data at rest, you'll want to look for a cloud provider that supports this. AWS and Azure both have their own ways of approaching security, so make sure to research which one aligns best with your needs.

Both AWS and Azure have a strong focus on uptime, with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee a certain level of service. AWS and Azure's SLAs state the level of service you should expect to receive, but be sure to note any caveats that may apply.

Security and Compliance is a top priority when choosing a cloud platform. Both Azure and AWS maintain rigorous security measures to protect user data.

Azure provides top-notch security with features like role-based access control, encryption, and continuous monitoring. It complies with industry standards and specific legal regulations for sectors including government and financial services – such as ISO, PCI DSS and GDPR – and ensures data safeguarding.

AWS follows a shared responsibility model, securing infrastructure, while users handle application security. This approach ensures that users are responsible for their own application security.

Azure and AWS both comply with various standards, including PCI DSS and HIPAA. This ensures that sensitive data is protected and compliant with industry regulations.

Here's a comparison of Azure and AWS compliance standards:

Azure and AWS both have detailed information on their compliance standards, making it easy to choose the right cloud solution for your needs.

Uptime is a crucial aspect of any application, and both AWS and Azure have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that outlines the level of service you can expect.

Their SLA is designed to give you a guarantee of their service being available, but be sure to note any caveats that might apply, such as using multiple servers.

AWS and Azure have a high level of service availability, but it's essential to compare their SLAs to see which one best fits your application's requirements.