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Pay less with Azure

AWS is up to 5 times more expensive than Azure for Windows Server and SQL Server. Why run them anywhere else?

Azure vs. AWS cost comparison

Compare the costs of running Windows Server virtual machines (VMs):

 Comparison of cost saving between Azure and AWS in Windows Server virtual machines (VMs)

Other cloud service providers may claim to have similar savings to the Azure Hybrid Benefit, but you'll need to repurchase your Windows Server license on those clouds. And only Azure offers free extended security updates for Windows server 2012/R2.

What's being compared? *

Azure AWS
One D4s v4: 4 vCPUs, 16-GB RAM Windows Server VM One M5 xLarge: 4 vCPUs, 16-GB RAM Windows Server VM
US West 2 region US West (Oregon) region
730 hours/month for 12 months 730 hours/month for 12 months
Uses the Azure Hybrid Benefit to pay reduced compute rate (equivalent to running Ubuntu Linux) for 3-year Reserved Instances. Software Assurance is required. Uses Windows Server Reserved Instances rate under standard 3-year term with monthly payments.
Free extended security updates in Azure for Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 VMs. Extended security updates (ESU) cost is based on Windows Server Standard for which the annual ESU cost is averaged over 3 years.

Compare SQL Server running as a PaaS service:

 Comparison of cost saving between Azure and AWS in SQL Server running as a PaaS service

Only Azure offers savings across both platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) for SQL Server. With the Azure Hybrid Benefit, you can use existing licenses with Software Assurance to pay a reduced rate on Azure SQL Database (PaaS). This isn't included in SQL Server license mobility rights for other clouds.

What's being compared? *

Azure AWS
8 vCore Azure SQL Database managed instance business critical RDS for SQL Server Enterprise edition for db.r5.2xlarge
US West 2 region US West (Oregon) region in a multi-AZ deployment
730 hours/month for 12 months 730 hours/month for 12 months
Uses existing SQL Server licenses with the Azure Hybrid Benefit to pay a reduced rate on Azure SQL Database with 3-year reserved capacity. Software Assurance is required. Uses 3-year reserved instances, a standard 3-year term, and all-upfront payment.

Compare SQL Server running on a virtual machine (IaaS):

 Comparison of cost saving between Azure and AWS in SQL Server running on a virtual machine (IaaS)

Only Azure offers savings across both platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) for SQL Server. With the Azure Hybrid Benefit, there is no need to repurchase software licenses—use existing licenses with Software Assurance to save on Azure Virtual Machines (IaaS).

With the Azure Hybrid Benefit, you pay only the reduced compute rate (SUSE Linux Enterprise Basic rate) for the Windows Server VM. You’ll need to repurchase Windows Server on other clouds. And only Azure offers free extended security updates for SQL Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2.

What's being compared? *

Azure AWS
One D4s v4 Windows Server VM One m5.xlarge Windows Server VM
US West 2 region US West (Oregon) region
730 hours/month for 12 months 730 hours/month for 12 months
Uses the Azure Hybrid Benefit to pay reduced compute rate (SUSE Linux Enterprise Basic rate) with 3-year reserved instances. Software Assurance is required. Uses license mobility based on Software Assurance on SQL Server. The customer must still pay the Windows Server pay-as-you-go rate.
Free extended security updates in Azure for SQL Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 VMs. Extended security updates cost is based on Windows Server Standard and SQL Server Standard Select Net pricing in USD.
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*Prices are as of June 4, 2022 and subject to change. Actual regional pricing and program discounts may apply. Actual savings may vary based on region, instance size, and performance tier. Savings exclude Software Assurance costs, which may vary based on Volume Licensing agreement. Contact your sales representative for more information.

See how the cost savings add up with Azure

Save with your existing licenses

Eligible customers pay a reduced rate for Azure Virtual Machines and Azure SQL Database with the Azure Hybrid Benefit.

Reserve upfront and pay less

Reserve resources in advance and save over pay-as-you-go pricing—and improve your budgeting and forecasting.

Extend security updates for free

Move your SQL Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 workloads to Azure and get three additional years of security updates for free.

See how customers are saving with Azure

Allscripts realized big savings by taking advantage of the Azure Hybrid Benefit to move 600 on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server virtual machines to Azure.

A doctor looking into the apparatus

"Azure Hybrid Benefit is very important to us for controlling our cost for our long-running, 24/7/365 applications. Through the use of Azure Hybrid Benefit, we'll be able to reduce our overall costs by up to 82 percent."

Jeff Brady, Sr. Program Manager, Allscripts

Get started migrating your workloads

Find tools and resources to help you cost-effectively move your workloads to Azure at your own pace and with confidence.