Availability, scaling & operations
Amazon RDS Proxy vs Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL)
Amazon RDS Proxy maps to the built-in PgBouncer in Azure Database for PostgreSQL.
Azure has no managed proxy for MySQL or Azure SQL (Azure SQL handles many connections natively).
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Amazon RDS Proxy | Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL) |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | Managed connection pooler for RDS and Aurora that queues and reuses connections, speeds up failover, and can use IAM authentication with credentials in Secrets Manager. | Optional connection pooler that runs on the same VM as the flexible server (General Purpose and Memory Optimized tiers). |
| Pricing model | Per vCPU-hour (or ACU-hour for Aurora Serverless) of the target database. | PgBouncer is included at no extra charge. |
| Docs | Amazon RDS Proxy docs | Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL) docs |
| Pricing page | Amazon RDS Proxy pricing | Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL) pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 DVA-C02 Retiring | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Placement. RDS Proxy is a separate, multi-AZ service in your VPC that supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and SQL Server engines. PgBouncer runs on the same VM as the PostgreSQL server.
- Features. RDS Proxy speeds up failover and can enforce IAM authentication with credentials in Secrets Manager. PgBouncer pools connections only, and you connect on a separate port.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per vCPU-hour (or ACU-hour for Aurora Serverless) of the target database. Amazon RDS Proxy pricing →
- Azure
- PgBouncer is included at no extra charge. Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL) 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 Developer – Associate DVA-C02 | AWS | Associate | retiring Being updated to DVA-C03. Registration for DVA-C03 opens Oct 27, 2026. Last day to take DVA-C02 is Nov 30, 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 Proxy?
Amazon RDS Proxy maps to the built-in PgBouncer in Azure Database for PostgreSQL. Azure has no managed proxy for MySQL or Azure SQL (Azure SQL handles many connections natively).
How does pricing compare between Amazon RDS Proxy and Built-in PgBouncer (Azure Database for PostgreSQL)?
AWS: Per vCPU-hour (or ACU-hour for Aurora Serverless) of the target database. Azure: PgBouncer is included at no extra charge. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); AWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA-C02) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).