DNS & DNS-based routing
Route 53 private hosted zones vs Azure Private DNS zones
Route 53 private hosted zones map to Azure Private DNS zones, linked to virtual networks.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | Route 53 private hosted zones | Azure Private DNS zones |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | DNS zones that resolve only inside the VPCs you associate with them. | DNS zones that resolve inside linked virtual networks, with optional auto-registration of VM records. |
| Pricing model | Per hosted zone per month plus queries. | Per zone per month plus queries. |
| Docs | Route 53 private hosted zones docs | Azure Private DNS zones docs |
| Pricing page | Route 53 private hosted zones pricing | Azure Private DNS zones pricing |
| Exams | ANS-C01 Retiring | AZ-700 |
Key differences
- Auto-registration. Azure Private DNS can automatically register VM records in linked virtual networks. Route 53 private zones don't register instances automatically (EC2 gets provider-assigned hostnames instead).
- Routing. Route 53 private zones support routing policies, including geoproximity. Azure Private DNS doesn't.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per hosted zone per month plus queries. Route 53 private hosted zones pricing →
- Azure
- Per zone per month plus queries. Azure Private DNS zones pricing →
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty ANS-C01 | AWS | Specialty | retiring The exam is being retired. The last day to take it is Dec 31, 2026. Existing certifications stay active for their three-year period. |
| Microsoft Certified – Azure Network Engineer Associate AZ-700 | Azure | Associate | current |
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 Route 53 private hosted zones?
Route 53 private hosted zones map to Azure Private DNS zones, linked to virtual networks.
How does pricing compare between Route 53 private hosted zones and Azure Private DNS zones?
AWS: Per hosted zone per month plus queries. Azure: Per zone per month plus queries. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C01) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700).