Managed relational engines
Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) vs SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines
Amazon RDS Custom maps most closely to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines with the SQL IaaS Agent extension, which adds automated backup, patching, and license management to a VM you fully control.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) | SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | RDS with access to the database host's operating system and database configuration, for apps that need customization, while AWS still automates backups and other management tasks. | SQL Server on Windows or Linux VMs with full OS and instance control. The free SQL IaaS Agent extension adds automated backup, patching, and license management (pay-as-you-go or Azure Hybrid Benefit). |
| Pricing model | Per instance-hour (license-included for SQL Server, or bring your own media), plus storage. | VM pricing plus the SQL Server license (pay-as-you-go per hour, or Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus managed disks. The extension is free. |
| Docs | Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) docs | SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) pricing | SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 | DP-300 AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Model. RDS Custom is still an RDS service, where AWS automates tasks and you can customize the host. SQL Server on Azure VMs is IaaS, and the free SQL IaaS Agent extension adds management features on top.
- Engines. RDS Custom covers Oracle and SQL Server. On Azure, Oracle with OS access means Oracle on Azure VMs, while the managed Oracle option is Oracle AI Database@Azure.
- HA. On Azure VMs, you design HA yourself with Always On availability groups or failover cluster instances (shared disks or Azure NetApp Files).
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per instance-hour (license-included for SQL Server, or bring your own media), plus storage. Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) pricing →
- Azure
- VM pricing plus the SQL Server license (pay-as-you-go per hour, or Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus managed disks. The extension is free. SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines 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 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 RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server)?
Amazon RDS Custom maps most closely to SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines with the SQL IaaS Agent extension, which adds automated backup, patching, and license management to a VM you fully control.
How does pricing compare between Amazon RDS Custom (Oracle and SQL Server) and SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines?
AWS: Per instance-hour (license-included for SQL Server, or bring your own media), plus storage. Azure: VM pricing plus the SQL Server license (pay-as-you-go per hour, or Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus managed disks. The extension is free. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); Microsoft Certified – Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).