Managed relational engines
Amazon RDS for MySQL vs Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server)
Amazon RDS for MySQL maps to Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server).
Both run MySQL Community Edition with automated backups, zone-redundant HA, and read replicas.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon RDS for MySQL | Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | Managed MySQL Community Edition with Multi-AZ deployments, read replicas, automated backups, and Extended Support for older major versions. | Managed MySQL Community Edition (5.7, 8.0, and 8.4) in Burstable, General Purpose, and Business Critical tiers, with same-zone or zone-redundant HA, read replicas, and stop/start. |
| Pricing model | Per instance-hour by class, plus storage, IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and Extended Support fees. | Per vCore-hour by tier, plus storage, extra IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and a standby when HA is on. |
| Docs | Amazon RDS for MySQL docs | Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server) docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon RDS for MySQL pricing | Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server) pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 SOA-C03 | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Versions. Azure lists MySQL 5.7, 8.0, and 8.4 for flexible server. RDS also supports current MySQL major versions and charges Extended Support for older ones such as 5.7. Check both version calendars.
- Tiers. Azure has Burstable, General Purpose, and Business Critical tiers. RDS uses instance classes, with Multi-AZ DB clusters (two readable standbys) as an extra HA option.
- Cloud-native option. On AWS, Aurora MySQL is the higher-end MySQL-compatible engine. Azure's MySQL equivalent is the Business Critical tier of flexible server, not a separate engine.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per instance-hour by class, plus storage, IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and Extended Support fees. Amazon RDS for MySQL pricing →
- Azure
- Per vCore-hour by tier, plus storage, extra IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and a standby when HA is on. Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server) 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 CloudOps Engineer – Associate SOA-C03 | AWS | Associate | current Replaces AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02), whose last exam day was Sep 29, 2025. Simplified Chinese and Korean versions retire after Nov 19, 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 for MySQL?
Amazon RDS for MySQL maps to Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server). Both run MySQL Community Edition with automated backups, zone-redundant HA, and read replicas.
How does pricing compare between Amazon RDS for MySQL and Azure Database for MySQL (flexible server)?
AWS: Per instance-hour by class, plus storage, IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and Extended Support fees. Azure: Per vCore-hour by tier, plus storage, extra IOPS, backups beyond the free allowance, and a standby when HA is on. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate (SOA-C03); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).