Comparison · Cloud hosting platforms
Amazon Web Services vs Microsoft Azure: which is better in 2026?
Amazon Web Services ranks higher in our list of cloud hosting platforms (#1 against #3, score 92.0 against 89.0).
Choose Amazon Web Services if you want
Full range of managed cloud services.
The broadest set of managed services here, with a Free plan that includes over 90 services and up to $200 in credits. Billing and service choices take the most time to learn, and the free plan ends after six months.
Choose Microsoft Azure if you want
Microsoft ecosystems and enterprise apps.
A broad cloud with a free account that includes 65 or more always-free services, $200 for 30 days and popular services free for 12 months. Its free offers mix time-limited and always-free terms.
Side by side
 Amazon Web Services |  Microsoft Azure | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 92.0 | 89.0 |
| Rank in list | #1 of 8 | #3 of 8 |
| Price | Pay as you goFree plan with up to $200 in credits; paid plans billed by usage | Pay as you goFree account with $200 credit for 30 days and 65+ always-free services |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | WebWeb | WebWeb |
| Made by | Amazon | Microsoft |
| Starting price | Free plan with up to $200 in credits | $200 credit for 30 days |
| Billing | Free plan, then paid by usage | Free account, then pay as you go |
| Best for | Full range of managed cloud services | Microsoft ecosystems and enterprise apps |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about Amazon Web Services vs Microsoft Azure
- Is Amazon Web Services better than Microsoft Azure?
- Amazon Web Services ranks higher in our list of cloud hosting platforms (#1 against #3, score 92.0 against 89.0). Amazon Web Services is best for: full range of managed cloud services. Microsoft Azure is best for: microsoft ecosystems and enterprise apps.
- Which is cheaper, Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure?
- Amazon Web Services: Free plan with up to $200 in credits; paid plans billed by usage. Microsoft Azure: Free account with $200 credit for 30 days and 65+ always-free services.
- Do Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure run on the same platforms?
- Amazon Web Services supports Web. Microsoft Azure supports Web.