Availability, scaling & operations
Amazon Aurora Global Database vs Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups / Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL)
Aurora Global Database maps to Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups (for Azure SQL), and to cross-region read replicas for Azure Database for PostgreSQL and MySQL.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon Aurora Global Database | Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available Generally available |
| What it is | One primary Region for writes and up to 10 read-only secondary Regions, using storage-level replication, with managed switchover and failover, and optional write forwarding. | Asynchronous replication of databases to other regions, with failover groups that give stable read-write and read-only listener endpoints across regions. Asynchronous read-only replicas in the same or another region, which can be promoted, with virtual endpoints for PostgreSQL. |
| Pricing model | Secondary clusters are billed as normal Aurora clusters, plus replicated write I/O and cross-Region transfer. | Geo-secondaries are billed like primary databases (standby-only replicas can be cheaper with a license discount), plus data transfer. |
| Docs | Amazon Aurora Global Database docs | Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups docs Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL) docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon Aurora Global Database pricing | Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups pricing Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL) pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 SAP-C02 Retiring | DP-300 AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Mechanism. Aurora Global Database replicates at the storage layer to up to 10 secondary Regions, with managed switchover and failover and optional write forwarding. Azure SQL replicates asynchronously at the database level. Failover groups give stable read-write and read-only listener endpoints across regions.
- Scope. Failover groups can move a group of databases (or a whole Managed Instance) together. Aurora works per cluster.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Secondary clusters are billed as normal Aurora clusters, plus replicated write I/O and cross-Region transfer. Amazon Aurora Global Database pricing →
- Azure
- Geo-secondaries are billed like primary databases (standby-only replicas can be cheaper with a license discount), plus data transfer. Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups pricing → Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL) pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C03 | AWS | Associate | current Italian version retires after Dec 31, 2026. |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional SAP-C02 | AWS | Professional | retiring Being updated to SAP-C03. Registration for SAP-C03 opens Oct 27, 2026. Last day to take SAP-C02 is Nov 16, 2026. |
| Microsoft Certified – Azure Database Administrator Associate DP-300 | Azure | Associate | current English version will be updated on Oct 27, 2026. |
| Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305 | Azure | Expert | current English version updated Apr 17, 2026. |
Relevance is based on each exam's published scope, not a line-by-line objective match. Check the official study guide.
FAQ
What is the Azure equivalent of Amazon Aurora Global Database?
Aurora Global Database maps to Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups (for Azure SQL), and to cross-region read replicas for Azure Database for PostgreSQL and MySQL.
How does pricing compare between Amazon Aurora Global Database and Azure SQL active geo-replication and failover groups and Read replicas (PostgreSQL, MySQL)?
AWS: Secondary clusters are billed as normal Aurora clusters, plus replicated write I/O and cross-Region transfer. Azure: Geo-secondaries are billed like primary databases (standby-only replicas can be cheaper with a license discount), plus data transfer. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).