Managed file systems
Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP vs Azure NetApp Files
Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP maps to Azure NetApp Files.
Both offer NetApp technology as a managed service, with NFS, SMB, and dual-protocol volumes and NetApp-style snapshots and replication.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP | Azure NetApp Files |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | Managed NetApp ONTAP file systems with NFS, SMB, iSCSI, and NVMe/TCP access, SSD plus an elastic capacity pool tier, SnapMirror, FlexCache, and S3 access points. | First-party NetApp ONTAP-based file service. NFSv3, NFSv4.1, SMB, and dual-protocol volumes, an S3-compatible object REST API, five service levels (including Flexible and Elastic zone-redundant), cool access, large volumes up to 1 PiB (7.2 PiB with cool access), and cross-region and cross-zone replication. |
| Pricing model | SSD storage per GB-month, throughput capacity, provisioned IOPS, capacity pool storage and requests, and backups. | Billed on provisioned capacity-pool size by service level, plus cool-access and replication charges. |
| Docs | Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP docs | Azure NetApp Files docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP pricing | Azure NetApp Files pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Operating model. FSx for ONTAP gives you an ONTAP file system and storage VMs that you can manage with ONTAP tools (for example, SnapMirror to on-premises and FlexCache). Azure NetApp Files is a first-party Azure service with Azure-native capacity pools and volumes.
- Protocols. FSx for ONTAP also serves iSCSI and NVMe/TCP block LUNs. Azure NetApp Files is file-only, but adds an S3-compatible object REST API on volumes.
- Performance tiers. FSx for ONTAP uses SSD plus an elastic capacity pool tier. Azure NetApp Files has five service levels (Flexible, Standard, Premium, Ultra, and Elastic zone-redundant), plus cool access that moves cold data to Azure Storage.
- Scale. Azure NetApp Files large volumes reach 1 PiB, or 7.2 PiB with cool access.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- SSD storage per GB-month, throughput capacity, provisioned IOPS, capacity pool storage and requests, and backups. Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP pricing →
- Azure
- Billed on provisioned capacity-pool size by service level, plus cool-access and replication charges. Azure NetApp Files 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. |
| 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 FSx for NetApp ONTAP?
Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP maps to Azure NetApp Files. Both offer NetApp technology as a managed service, with NFS, SMB, and dual-protocol volumes and NetApp-style snapshots and replication.
How does pricing compare between Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP and Azure NetApp Files?
AWS: SSD storage per GB-month, throughput capacity, provisioned IOPS, capacity pool storage and requests, and backups. Azure: Billed on provisioned capacity-pool size by service level, plus cool-access and replication charges. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).