Hybrid storage gateways
AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway: Azure equivalent
Azure has no equivalent of AWS Storage Gateway Tape Gateway, and Microsoft's comparison lists "None".
On Azure, point backup software at Blob Storage directly (cool, cold, or archive tiers), or use Azure Backup.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway | No first-party equivalent |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | — |
| What it is | A virtual tape library (iSCSI VTL) for existing backup software, archiving virtual tapes to S3 Glacier Flexible Retrieval or Glacier Deep Archive. | — |
| Pricing model | Per GB written to AWS (capped monthly per gateway), plus virtual tape storage in S3, Glacier Flexible Retrieval, or Deep Archive, and retrieval fees. | Not applicable. |
| Docs | AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway docs | — |
| Pricing page | AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway pricing | — |
| Exams | SAA-C03 | AZ-305 |
Key differences
- Many enterprise backup products can write to Azure Blob Storage natively, which removes the need for a virtual tape layer. Add immutable storage for ransomware protection.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Per GB written to AWS (capped monthly per gateway), plus virtual tape storage in S3, Glacier Flexible Retrieval, or Deep Archive, and retrieval fees. AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway pricing →
- Azure
- Not applicable.
Certification exam mapping
| Exam | Provider | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate SAA-C03 | AWS | Associate | current Italian version retires after Dec 31, 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
Does Azure have an equivalent to AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway?
Azure has no equivalent of AWS Storage Gateway Tape Gateway, and Microsoft's comparison lists "None". On Azure, point backup software at Blob Storage directly (cool, cold, or archive tiers), or use Azure Backup.
How does pricing compare between AWS Storage Gateway – Tape Gateway and Azure?
AWS: Per GB written to AWS (capped monthly per gateway), plus virtual tape storage in S3, Glacier Flexible Retrieval, or Deep Archive, and retrieval fees. Azure: Not applicable. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); Microsoft Certified – Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).