Comparison Guide
Microsoft Azure vs Amazon Web Services
Azure and AWS are the two largest cloud platforms. For businesses already using Microsoft 365, Azure offers native integration advantages. AWS provides broader service selection for specialized workloads.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Azure | Amazon Web Services |
|---|---|---|
| M365 Integration | Native (Azure AD, Intune) | Third-party integration |
| Active Directory | Azure AD (native) | AWS Directory Service |
| Learning Curve | Familiar for M365 admins | Steeper learning curve |
| SMB Pricing | Competitive for M365 workloads | Complex pricing model |
| Hybrid Identity | Seamless AD Connect | Requires additional configuration |
| Best For | M365 environments, Windows workloads | Cloud-native apps, Linux workloads |
Our Verdict
For most SMBs using Microsoft 365, Azure is the natural choice due to native integration with Active Directory, M365, and familiar Microsoft management tools. AWS is better for organizations with specialized cloud-native development needs.
Quick Picks
Which one should you pick?
Three buyer profiles, three answers. Pick the row that fits.
M365-centric SMB (Entra ID, Intune, Office)
Pick: Azure
Native Entra ID, no third-party AD bridge, single billing relationship, and Microsoft licensing alignment usually wins on total cost. Best fit for the majority of SMBs we work with.
Talk to an Azure strategistWeb / SaaS / dev-team-led workload
Pick: AWS
If your stack is container-heavy, Linux-first, or built on AWS-native data services (S3, Lambda, RDS) and your team already lives in AWS, stay with AWS. Azure migration adds friction without proportional benefit.
Get an architecture reviewGreenfield SMB choosing first cloud
Pick: Free assessment
Don't pick a cloud based on a comparison post. We'll evaluate your workloads, M365 footprint, and team skills, then recommend the platform that minimizes 24-month total cost.
Book the free assessmentFor enterprises & in-house security teams
Just need Azure subscriptions and a clean tenant build? We do that.
Some SMBs and IT teams already know they want Azure and just need a Microsoft partner to handle subscriptions, tenant build, and initial workload migration — without a full managed-service contract. We license through the Microsoft Partner program, build the tenant, migrate the first workloads, then hand the keys to your team to self-operate.
- Microsoft partner pricing on Azure subscriptions and reservation-based discounts
- Tenant build: subscriptions, management groups, RBAC, policy baselines, conditional access
- Hybrid AD setup with Entra Connect, conditional access, and break-glass account hygiene
- Initial workload migration (file servers, line-of-business apps, SQL) with rollback plan
- Knowledge transfer session + runbook handoff so your team can self-operate from day one
Why Work With Unio Digital?
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Need Help Choosing?
Our team can help you evaluate the right solution for your business. Schedule a free consultation.
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