Choosing the right platform for SQL Server hosting can make or break your budget. The SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide helps developers and businesses compare these giants head-to-head. Whether you’re running small apps or enterprise databases, understanding costs is key to affordable SQL Server deployment.
In this SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide, we dive deep into pricing models, real-world examples, and optimization strategies. Azure SQL Database offers Microsoft-native integration, while AWS RDS for SQL Server provides flexible scaling. Both promise managed SQL Server hosting under $20/month for light workloads, but hidden fees and commitments change everything.
We’ll break down on-demand pricing, reserved instances, storage costs, and more. By the end of this SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide, you’ll know the cheapest SQL Server VPS hosting plans for 2025 and beyond, including self-hosted options on cheap VPS.
Understanding SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
The SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide starts with basics. Azure SQL Database uses a serverless or provisioned model tailored for Microsoft ecosystems. AWS RDS for SQL Server offers full SQL Server editions like Standard and Enterprise on managed instances.
Both platforms handle patching, backups, and scaling, but pricing differs sharply. Azure bills per vCore or DTU, while AWS charges per instance hour plus storage. This SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide reveals Azure often wins for predictable workloads due to integrated licensing.
For small apps, Azure’s Basic tier starts at $4.90/month. AWS RDS db.t4g.micro for SQL Server Express hits around $12.24/month on-demand in US East. Self-hosted SQL Server on cheap VPS can drop under $10/month but lacks management.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Azure: Hyperscale, serverless options for bursty traffic.
- AWS: Multi-AZ failover, broader instance types.
- Both: Support SQL Server 2022, but Azure leads in AI integrations.
Image alt: SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide – comparison chart of entry-level pricing tiers (98 chars)
Core Pricing Models in SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
On-demand pricing forms the baseline in any SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide. Azure General Purpose single database costs $0.0001440 per vCore-second. AWS RDS SQL Server db.t3.micro runs $0.017 per hour.
Reserved capacity shines for steady usage. Azure offers 1-year reservations saving 33%, up to 65% for 3-years. AWS Reserved Instances (RI) deliver 25-50% off, with Savings Plans adding flexibility across RDS engines.
Serverless models tilt the scale. Azure SQL serverless pauses during idle, charging only compute time. AWS lacks true serverless for SQL Server, sticking to Aurora for MySQL/Postgres alternatives.
Instance Costs in SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
Instance sizing drives major expenses in the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide. Azure’s 2 vCore General Purpose instance costs $144.36/month. AWS RDS db.m5.large (2 vCPU, SQL Server Standard) hits $157.68/month on-demand in US East (N. Virginia).
Scale up reveals gaps. Azure 8 vCore: $577.44/month. AWS db.m5.4xlarge: $1,005.12/month. License inclusion matters—Azure bundles SQL Server licensing seamlessly, while AWS offers License Included or BYOL for savings if you own licenses.
Burstable instances favor AWS for dev/test. db.t3.small SQL Server: $30.72/month. Azure’s equivalent Dev tier: $74.10/month but with better performance guarantees.
Entry-Level Comparison Table
| Platform | Instance | On-Demand Monthly | 1-Year RI Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure | Basic (5 DTU) | $4.90 | 33% ($3.28) |
| AWS RDS | db.t4g.micro | $12.24 | 35% ($7.96) |
| Azure | General Purpose 2 vCore | $144.36 | 52% ($69.29) |
| AWS RDS | db.m5.large | $157.68 | 40% ($94.61) |
Storage and IOPS in SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
Storage pricing varies in the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide. Azure charges $0.112/GB-month for Premium SSD. AWS General Purpose SSD: $0.115/GB-month, Provisioned IOPS at $0.125/GB plus $0.10/IOPS-month.
For 100GB with moderate IOPS, Azure totals $11.20/month. AWS gp3: $11.50 + baseline 3,000 IOPS free, extra at $0.0065/provisioned IOPS-month. High-I/O workloads push AWS costs higher without careful provisioning.
Backups add nuance. Azure includes 100% of database size free. AWS bills $0.095/GB-month beyond free tier, persisting post-deletion.
Reserved Instances in SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
Commitments unlock savings in the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide. Azure 3-year reserved vCore capacity saves up to 65%, dropping 4 vCore to $288/month from $577. AWS 3-year No Upfront RI: 50% off, same instance at $395/month.
AWS Database Savings Plans offer cross-engine flexibility, applying to RDS SQL Server after MySQL/Postgres. Azure lacks this but excels in SQL-specific discounts. Convertible RIs let AWS users modify instance types mid-term.
For budget SQL Server hosting under $20/month, Azure’s serverless with reservations fits best for variable loads.
Additional Fees in SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
Beyond cores and storage, the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide flags data transfer and features. AWS outbound transfer: $0.09/GB after 100GB free. Azure: $0.087/GB, free within region.
Multi-AZ doubles compute costs on both—Azure Hyperscale adds premium. RDS Multi-AZ: automatic failover justifies 100% markup. Extended support for older SQL versions hits AWS harder at $0.100/vCPU-hour until 2026.
Snapshots and exports: AWS $0.010/GB to S3. Azure free up to 10TB. These extras can add 20% to bills if unmanaged.
Real-World Cost Calculations
Let’s model a mid-tier app in the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide: 4 vCore, 200GB storage, 10M IOPS/month, Multi-AZ.
Azure: $577 compute + $22.40 storage + $50 failover = $649.40 on-demand; $312 reserved. AWS: $630 compute + $23 storage + $65 IOPS + $100 Multi-AZ = $818; $409 RI. Azure wins by 25%.
Small app (1 vCore, 20GB): Azure $72/month vs AWS $78. Self-hosted on $5 VPS: $5 but + management time. Best free tier? Azure trial credits cover basics.
Image alt: SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide – real-world monthly cost comparison graph for mid-tier workloads (102 chars)
Pros and Cons Side-by-Side
| Aspect | Azure SQL | AWS RDS SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Cost | Cheaper starters ($4.90) | Higher micro ($12+) |
| Reservations | Up to 65% off | 40-50%, flexible plans |
| Storage | Included backups | Extra backup fees |
| Scaling | Serverless auto-pause | Instance-based |
| Integration | MS ecosystem | AWS services |
| Hidden Fees | Lower transfer | IOPS, extended support |
Azure pros: Lower base costs, seamless SQL licensing. Cons: Less instance variety. AWS pros: Robust ecosystem, BYOL. Cons: Steeper learning for optimizations.
Expert Tips for Cheapest SQL Server Hosting
Unlock budget wins from the SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide. Start with Azure Basic for apps under 5GB—$4.90/month beats AWS free tier limits.
Managed SQL Server under $20: AWS db.t3.micro RI at $8/month or Azure serverless. Self-hosted on Ubuntu VPS ($5-10 NVMe): Install SQL Express, use Docker for ease.
Top 5 budget providers: 1. Azure (cheapest managed), 2. AWS RI, 3. Vultr VPS SQL, 4. DigitalOcean droplets, 5. Linode. Monitor with Azure Cost Management or AWS Budgets.
Final Verdict on SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide
The SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide crowns Azure victor for most users seeking cheapest SQL Server hosting. Superior reservations, bundled licensing, and serverless make it ideal for budgets under $20-500/month.
AWS edges for hybrid AWS stacks or BYOL scenarios. For 2026, test both calculators: Azure Pricing and AWS RDS tool. This SQL Server on Azure vs AWS RDS Cost Guide equips you to choose wisely, saving thousands annually.
