Network-to-network & hybrid connectivity
VPC peering vs Virtual network peering
VPC peering maps to virtual network peering (local or global).
Both are non-transitive and route over the provider's backbone.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Amazon Web Services | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Service | VPC peering | Virtual network peering |
| Lifecycle | Generally available | Generally available |
| What it is | Private, non-transitive connection between two VPCs (same or different accounts and Regions). | Connects virtual networks in the same region or across regions (global peering) over the Microsoft backbone. Peering is non-transitive. |
| Pricing model | Free to create. Data transfer within an AZ over peering is free, and cross-AZ and cross-Region transfer is charged. | Per GB of inbound and outbound data on each side of the peering, with higher rates for global peering. |
| Docs | VPC peering docs | Virtual network peering docs |
| Pricing page | VPC peering pricing | Virtual network peering pricing |
| Exams | SAA-C03 ANS-C01 Retiring | AZ-104 AZ-700 |
Key differences
- Gateway transit. Azure peering supports gateway transit, so spokes can use a hub's VPN or ExpressRoute gateway. VPC peering can't share gateways (use Transit Gateway for that).
- Transitive routing. Neither is transitive. Azure hub-and-spoke designs add a firewall or NVA in the hub, or use Virtual WAN or Virtual Network Manager connectivity.
Pricing summary
Pricing models only. No prices are quoted because they change by region and over time.
- AWS
- Free to create. Data transfer within an AZ over peering is free, and cross-AZ and cross-Region transfer is charged. VPC peering pricing →
- Azure
- Per GB of inbound and outbound data on each side of the peering, with higher rates for global peering. Virtual network peering 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 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 Administrator Associate AZ-104 | Azure | Associate | current |
| 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 VPC peering?
VPC peering maps to virtual network peering (local or global). Both are non-transitive and route over the provider's backbone.
How does pricing compare between VPC peering and Virtual network peering?
AWS: Free to create. Data transfer within an AZ over peering is free, and cross-AZ and cross-Region transfer is charged. Azure: Per GB of inbound and outbound data on each side of the peering, with higher rates for global peering. Check the official pricing pages for current rates.
Which certification exams cover this topic?
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03); AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (ANS-C01) [retiring]; Microsoft Certified – Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104); Microsoft Certified – Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700).