Data transfer & migration

AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) / AWS Data Transfer Terminal vs Azure Data Box

Microsoft maps AWS Snowball Edge to Azure Data Box, but AWS's full-shutdown page lists Snowball Edge as shut down on November 12, 2025.

AWS now points to Data Transfer Terminal (you bring your own devices to an AWS location) or DataSync. Azure Data Box ships Microsoft devices to you, now in 120 TB and 525 TB next-gen models.

Partial match Use it to: Move tens or hundreds of terabytes when the network is too slow, by moving physical devices instead.

Last verified: Oct 24, 2026 · Edit on GitHub · Report an error

Side-by-side comparison

Offline bulk data transfer (ship or carry your data): AWS vs Azure side by side
Aspect	Amazon Web Services	Microsoft Azure
Service	AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) Retired AWS Data Transfer Terminal	Azure Data Box
Lifecycle	Listed on AWS's full-shutdown page as of November 12, 2025 (along with the V3S and V3G devices). The Snowball developer guide still describes it as unavailable to new customers. AWS points customers to DataSync (online), Data Transfer Terminal (physical), or Outposts and partners for edge compute. Generally available	Next-gen 120 TB and 525 TB devices are rolling out by region. Data Box Heavy is retired, and the 80 TB device is retired in regions where next-gen is available.
What it is	Rugged shippable storage and compute devices for offline data migration and edge computing. Reservable physical locations where you bring your own storage devices and upload data to AWS over high-speed connections.	Microsoft-shipped rugged storage devices for offline bulk import and export, with up to 100 Gbps interfaces on next-gen devices.
Pricing model	Data Transfer Terminal is billed for the time you reserve. Snowball jobs were billed per job, per day, and for shipping.	A per-order service fee that includes a set number of days, plus extra days, shipping, and target storage.
Docs	AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) docs AWS Data Transfer Terminal docs	Azure Data Box docs
Pricing page	AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) pricing AWS Data Transfer Terminal pricing	Azure Data Box pricing
Exams	SAA-C03 SAP-C02 Retiring	AZ-104 AZ-305

Key differences

Model. Data Box is a shipped appliance you fill on site and send back. Data Transfer Terminal is a reservable facility where you bring your own storage devices and upload over high-speed links.
Direction. Data Box supports both import and export.
Edge compute. Snowball Edge could also run compute at the edge. AWS now recommends Outposts or partners for that, and the Azure counterparts are Azure Local and Azure Stack Edge.
Legacy devices. Azure Data Box Heavy is retired, and the 80 TB Data Box is being retired region by region as next-gen devices arrive.

Pricing summary

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

AWS: Data Transfer Terminal is billed for the time you reserve. Snowball jobs were billed per job, per day, and for shipping. AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) pricing → AWS Data Transfer Terminal pricing →
Azure: A per-order service fee that includes a set number of days, plus extra days, shipping, and target storage. Azure Data Box 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 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 Administrator Associate AZ-104	Azure	Associate	current
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.

Verification notes

AWS sources conflict. The full-shutdown page lists Snowball Edge as shut down on November 12, 2025, while the Snowball developer guide only says it's unavailable to new customers. Check with AWS if you still depend on it.

FAQ

What is the Azure equivalent of AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) and AWS Data Transfer Terminal?

Microsoft maps AWS Snowball Edge to Azure Data Box, but AWS's full-shutdown page lists Snowball Edge as shut down on November 12, 2025. AWS now points to Data Transfer Terminal (you bring your own devices to an AWS location) or DataSync. Azure Data Box ships Microsoft devices to you, now in 120 TB and 525 TB next-gen models.

How does pricing compare between AWS Snowball Edge (Snow Family) and AWS Data Transfer Terminal and Azure Data Box?

AWS: Data Transfer Terminal is billed for the time you reserve. Snowball jobs were billed per job, per day, and for shipping. Azure: A per-order service fee that includes a set number of days, plus extra days, shipping, and target storage. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.

Which certification exams cover this topic?

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).