Customer identity, directories & app access · AWS vs Google Cloud
AWS Directory Service vs Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory
AWS Managed Microsoft AD maps to Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory, highly available, hardened AD domains hosted by Google Cloud.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Google Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Service | AWS Directory Service | Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | AWS Managed Microsoft AD (real Windows Server AD run by AWS, with trusts to on-premises AD), AD Connector (a proxy to your AD), and Simple AD (Samba-based). | Highly available, hardened Microsoft Active Directory domains hosted by Google Cloud. |
| Pricing model | Per directory-hour by edition (Standard or Enterprise for Managed Microsoft AD), and per AD Connector-hour. | Billed per domain hour while the domain is provisioned, plus standard rates for related services. |
| Docs | AWS Directory Service docs | Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory docs |
| Pricing page | AWS Directory Service pricing | Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory pricing |
Key differences
- You can create trusts with on-premises domains.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per directory-hour by edition (Standard or Enterprise for Managed Microsoft AD), and per AD Connector-hour. AWS Directory Service pricing →
- GCP
- Billed per domain hour while the domain is provisioned, plus standard rates for related services. Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory pricing →
And on Azure?
Partial match Azure's equivalent is Microsoft Entra Domain Services. AWS vs Azure comparison →
FAQ
What is the Google Cloud equivalent of AWS Directory Service?
AWS Managed Microsoft AD maps to Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory, highly available, hardened AD domains hosted by Google Cloud.
How does pricing compare between AWS Directory Service and Managed Service for Microsoft Active Directory?
AWS: Per directory-hour by edition (Standard or Enterprise for Managed Microsoft AD), and per AD Connector-hour. Google Cloud: Billed per domain hour while the domain is provisioned, plus standard rates for related services. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
What is the Azure equivalent?
Microsoft Entra Domain Services (partial match). AWS Directory Service maps to Microsoft Entra Domain Services.