Availability, scaling & operations
Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts vs SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc
Amazon RDS on Outposts maps most closely to SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc.
RDS on Outposts runs on AWS-owned racks, while Arc runs SQL Managed Instance on Kubernetes on your own infrastructure.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts | SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | RDS for SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle running on Outposts racks in your data center, managed from the AWS Region. | SQL Managed Instance running on Kubernetes on your own infrastructure, managed through Azure Arc. |
| Pricing model | Outposts capacity (a multi-year commitment) plus RDS instance fees. | Billed per vCore through Azure Arc (license-included or Azure Hybrid Benefit), on infrastructure you own. |
| Docs | Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts docs | SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts pricing | SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc pricing |
| Exams | SAP-C02 Retiring | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Engines. RDS on Outposts supports SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle. Arc-enabled data services cover SQL Managed Instance.
- Hardware. Outposts is AWS hardware installed and maintained by AWS. Arc runs on any supported Kubernetes cluster you operate.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Outposts capacity (a multi-year commitment) plus RDS instance fees. Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts pricing →
- Azure
- Billed per vCore through Azure Arc (license-included or Azure Hybrid Benefit), on infrastructure you own. SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 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 on AWS Outposts?
Amazon RDS on Outposts maps most closely to SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc. RDS on Outposts runs on AWS-owned racks, while Arc runs SQL Managed Instance on Kubernetes on your own infrastructure.
How does pricing compare between Amazon RDS on AWS Outposts and SQL Managed Instance enabled by Azure Arc?
AWS: Outposts capacity (a multi-year commitment) plus RDS instance fees. Azure: Billed per vCore through Azure Arc (license-included or Azure Hybrid Benefit), on infrastructure you own. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).