Cloud Equivalents

Managed relational engines

Amazon RDS for SQL Server vs Azure SQL Managed Instance / Azure SQL Database

Amazon RDS for SQL Server maps to Azure SQL Managed Instance (instance-level compatibility, closest to RDS) or Azure SQL Database (database-scoped PaaS).

Azure is the native home of SQL Server, so it has more options and deeper engine features than RDS.

Partial match Use it to: Run SQL Server databases without managing Windows, SQL Server installs, patching, or backups.

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Side-by-side comparison

Managed Microsoft SQL Server: AWS vs Azure side by side
AspectAmazon Web ServicesMicrosoft Azure
ServiceAmazon RDS for SQL ServerAzure SQL Managed Instance
Azure SQL Database
LifecycleGenerally availableGenerally available
Generally available
What it isManaged Microsoft SQL Server (Express, Web, Standard, Enterprise, and Developer editions) with license-included pricing, Multi-AZ, read replicas (Enterprise), and native backup and restore to S3. No OS or sysadmin access.PaaS SQL Server instance with near-100% compatibility with SQL Server Enterprise Edition (SQL Agent, cross-database queries, CLR, and more), native VNet integration, failover groups, and the Managed Instance link for hybrid replication with SQL Server.
Managed database-scoped SQL Server engine (always the latest version) in vCore (General Purpose, Business Critical, Hyperscale up to 128 TB) or DTU models, with serverless compute, elastic pools, active geo-replication, failover groups, and ledger tables.
Pricing modelPer instance-hour, including the SQL Server license, by edition and class, plus storage and backups.Per vCore-hour (or DTU for SQL Database), with or without the SQL license (Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus storage and backup storage. SQL Managed Instance has a free trial offer for the first 12 months.
DocsAmazon RDS for SQL Server docsAzure SQL Managed Instance docs
Azure SQL Database docs
Pricing pageAmazon RDS for SQL Server pricingAzure SQL Managed Instance pricing
Azure SQL Database pricing
ExamsSAA-C03 SOA-C03DP-300 AZ-305

Key differences

  • Compatibility. SQL Managed Instance offers near-100% Enterprise Edition compatibility, including SQL Agent, cross-database queries, CLR, and native VNet integration. RDS for SQL Server supports many instance-level features, but without sysadmin or OS access.
  • Versions. RDS runs specific SQL Server versions and editions you choose and upgrade. Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance always run the latest engine (Managed Instance also offers an update policy aligned to SQL Server versions).
  • Licensing. RDS is license-included (or Developer Edition for non-production). Azure lets you bring existing licenses with Azure Hybrid Benefit for a lower vCore price.
  • Scale. Azure SQL Database Hyperscale scales to 128 TB with up to 30 named read replicas. RDS for SQL Server scales up by instance and storage size (check current limits), and its read replicas need Enterprise Edition.
  • Hybrid. The Managed Instance link replicates between on-premises SQL Server and Managed Instance for migration or DR. RDS relies on native backup and restore or AWS DMS.

Pricing summary

Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.

AWS
Per instance-hour, including the SQL Server license, by edition and class, plus storage and backups. Amazon RDS for SQL Server pricing →
Azure
Per vCore-hour (or DTU for SQL Database), with or without the SQL license (Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus storage and backup storage. SQL Managed Instance has a free trial offer for the first 12 months. Azure SQL Managed Instance pricing → Azure SQL Database pricing →

Certification exam mapping

ExamProviderLevelStatus
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C03AWSAssociatecurrent
Italian version retires after Dec 31, 2026.
AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate SOA-C03AWSAssociatecurrent
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 Database Administrator Associate DP-300AzureAssociatecurrent
English version will be updated on Oct 27, 2026.
Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-305AzureExpertcurrent
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 SQL Server?

Amazon RDS for SQL Server maps to Azure SQL Managed Instance (instance-level compatibility, closest to RDS) or Azure SQL Database (database-scoped PaaS). Azure is the native home of SQL Server, so it has more options and deeper engine features than RDS.

How does pricing compare between Amazon RDS for SQL Server and Azure SQL Managed Instance and Azure SQL Database?

AWS: Per instance-hour, including the SQL Server license, by edition and class, plus storage and backups. Azure: Per vCore-hour (or DTU for SQL Database), with or without the SQL license (Azure Hybrid Benefit), plus storage and backup storage. SQL Managed Instance has a free trial offer for the first 12 months. 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 Database Administrator Associate (DP-300); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).

Should I pick Azure SQL Database or SQL Managed Instance when coming from RDS for SQL Server?

Choose SQL Managed Instance if you use instance-scoped features (SQL Agent jobs, cross-database queries, linked servers, CLR, Service Broker) or want a lift-and-shift. Choose Azure SQL Database (often Hyperscale) for new or single-database apps that don't need those features.

Related comparisons

Official sources