Azure Databricks vs. AWS Databricks: Which One Should You Choose?

Businesses rely on data as it can change the way they make predictions and drive revenue. Proper data utilization makes businesses become agile, achieve more, and make the right decisions with analytics. Databricks enable organizations to process vast amounts of structured and unstructured data efficiently.

Whether a business chooses AWS or Azure for cloud needs, it is seamless to go with Databricks pricing and services it has to offer. It gives a business unified data analytics platform to manage large-scale data engineering, machine learning, and business intelligence applications.

Databricks on Azure or Databricks on AWS

When looking for Databricks comparison for enterprise-level analytics, businesses often face a key decision. There is confusion on what is best, and the comparison comes in place for Azure Databricks vs. AWS Databricks. Both cloud providers offer a managed version of Databricks Integration, but each comes with its own set of benefits, pricing structures, and integrations. Here are some details that will help organizations decide what to choose for their analytics needs:

While both services offer similar core functionalities, their integrations, security models, and Databricks pricing structures differ, making it essential to understand their strengths.

Databricks Comparison: Key Differences Between Azure & AWS

1. Cloud Ecosystem and Integration

Azure Databricks:

• Deep integration with Azure Active Directory (AAD) for identity management
• Works seamlessly with Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) and Azure Synapse Analytics
• Native support for Power BI, making visualization easier for Microsoft users
• Azure Monitor provides built-in logging and performance tracking

AWS Databricks:

• Integrates well with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
• Uses Amazon S3 as its primary storage layer
• Connects with AWS Glue for metadata management and Amazon Redshift for data warehousing
• AWS CloudWatch offers logging and monitoring capabilities

?Verdict: Choose Azure Databricks if your organization is already leveraging Azure services. Choose AWS Databricks integration if your infrastructure is primarily built on AWS.

2. Performance and Scalability

Azure Databricks:

• Optimized for Azure compute resources, making it efficient for handling high-volume workloads
• Uses Azure’s scalable VM instances for managing Spark clusters
• Ideal for high-speed analytics with Synapse Analytics

AWS Databricks:

• Optimized for AWS compute instances, including EC2 and Spot Instances for cost-effective scaling
• Uses Amazon S3’s distributed storage for faster access to large datasets
• Benefits from AWS Auto Scaling to dynamically adjust resources

Verdict: Both platforms offer similar performance capabilities. If your workloads require seamless integration with Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks is the better choice. If you need cost-effective scaling options, AWS may have an advantage with Spot Instances.

3.?Security and Compliance

Azure Databricks:

• Tightly integrated with Azure security protocols, including Azure Active Directory and Azure Key Vault
• Built-in network isolation and compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP
• Support for Private Link, ensuring secure, private connections between Databricks and Azure services

AWS Databricks:

• Uses AWS IAM roles and security groups for access management
• Supports AWS Private Link to establish private network communication
• Complies with industry security standards like SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA

Verdict: Both platforms provide strong security and compliance, but Azure Databricks integration offers deeper integration with Microsoft’s enterprise security tools.

4.?Pricing and Cost Optimization

Azure Databricks:

• Charges are based on Databricks Units (DBUs), which vary depending on the instance type
• Azure Spot VMs allow cost savings on computing
• Integration with Azure Reserved Instances helps reduce long-term costs

AWS Databricks:

• Pricing is also DBU-based, but AWS users can leverage Spot Instances for cheaper compute costs
• Reserved pricing options help reduce overall expenses
• Direct integration with AWS Budgets and Cost Explorer to track expenses

Verdict: Both platforms use a DBU-based model, but AWS Databricks provides greater cost optimization for compute resources through Spot Instances.

5.?Ease of Deployment and Management

Azure Databricks:

• Managed within Azure Portal, making deployment easy for Azure administrators
• One-click setup for clusters, reducing operational overhead
• Seamless CI/CD integration with Azure DevOps

AWS Databricks:

• Managed via AWS Console, requiring additional setup through IAM policies and security groups
• More flexibility but requires additional configuration
• Integrates with AWS CodePipeline and Terraform for DevOps workflows

Verdict: Azure Databricks offers a more streamlined experience for deployment within Azure. AWS Databricks provides more flexibility but requires additional configuration.

When to Choose Azure Databricks

While Databricks comparison for both platforms is best but Azure Databricks is the best choice if:?

• Your organization already uses Azure services like Azure Data Lake, Synapse, and Power BI
• You need seamless identity management with Azure Active Directory
• Your team prefers Azure DevOps for CI/CD and workflow automation
• You require private networking with Azure Private Link for secure data access

Best Use Cases for Azure Databricks

• Enterprise data lakes built on Azure Data Lake Storage
• Large-scale ETL pipelines in a Microsoft-centric environment
• AI and ML workloads leveraging Azure Machine Learning
• High-performance analytics in combination with Azure Synapse

When to Choose AWS Databricks

AWS Databricks is a better fit if:?

• Your company relies on AWS-native services like S3, Glue, and Redshift
• You want to leverage Spot Instances for cost optimization
• Your data teams use AWS CodePipeline for CI/CD automation
• You need strong multi-cloud compatibility for hybrid cloud solutions

Best Use Cases for AWS Databricks

• Scalable big data processing using Amazon S3 as a data lake
• Machine learning model training with AWS SageMaker
• Large-scale IoT data ingestion and processing
• Real-time analytics with AWS Kinesis and Glue

What is Best for Your Business: Azure Databricks vs. AWS Databricks

Choosing between Azure Databricks and AWS Databricks depends on your existing cloud strategy. If you're heavily invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem, Azure Databricks is the clear winner. If you're an AWS-first organization, AWS Databricks is the better choice.

Both Azure Databricks and AWS Databricks offer a robust and scalable platform for data engineering, analytics, and machine learning. Your decision should be based on existing cloud infrastructure, pricing, security, and ease of management. Here are the key areas where we can help:

• Azure Expertise: Proven experience in data implementation projects on Azure, seamlessly integrating Databricks with Azure services.
• AWS Implementation: Successfully executed multiple data implementation projects on AWS, ensuring scalability and performance.
• Analytics Platform Deployment: Expertise in setting up end-to-end analytics platforms tailored to business needs.
• Databricks Optimization: Assisting businesses in upgrading and optimizing existing Databricks infrastructure for enhanced efficiency.
• End-to-End Solutions: Providing comprehensive data solutions to maximize business value and operational performance.

If your business is looking for seamless Databricks integration with Azure services, Azure Databricks is the right choice. On the other hand, if you prefer AWS-native tools and more cost-optimization options, AWS Databricks will better suit your needs.

Bizmetric's Expertise in Azure and AWS Databricks

At Bizmetric, we help organizations maximize the potential of Databricks on both Azure and AWS. Both Azure Databricks and AWS Databricks offer powerful capabilities, and we can help you choose the best model for your business. We can also help you connect your ERP ecosystem and data with Databricks platform.

Are you looking for expert guidance on Databricks pricing and implementation? Bizmetric can help you navigate the best approach for your business! We have completed 30+ data platform implementations using Databricks and have a deep understanding of every level of complexity that can occur. Want to know more? Contact our Databricks-certified experts now!