AWS to Azure Migration: Service Mapping & Process
Moving from AWS to Azure is very doable with a clear service map and a staged plan. Here's why teams move, how the services line up, and how to migrate without downtime.
- Teams move from AWS to Azure mainly for Microsoft and .NET integration, enterprise agreements and consolidation — not because one cloud is technically 'better'.
- Most AWS services have a clear Azure equivalent, so migration is largely about mapping services, moving data and re-testing rather than rewriting everything.
- A staged, well-planned migration with data sync and a rehearsed cutover avoids downtime; the effort is driven by architecture, data volume and managed-service use.
Migrating from AWS to Azure is a well-trodden path, usually driven by a deeper Microsoft relationship rather than any technical shortcoming in AWS. The good news: the two clouds map closely, so it's mostly a matter of translating services, moving data and re-testing. This guide covers why teams move, how the services line up, the process, what drives cost, and how to avoid downtime.
Why teams move from AWS to Azure
- Microsoft & .NET integration — tighter fit with Microsoft 365, Active Directory and .NET workloads.
- Enterprise agreements — bundling and discounts through existing Microsoft relationships.
- Consolidation — standardising on one cloud to reduce complexity and cost.
- Specific Azure services or compliance/region needs.
Migrate for a real business reason — integration, cost or consolidation — not because Azure is 'better'. Both clouds are excellent; the value is in the fit.
How AWS services map to Azure
| AWS | Azure equivalent |
|---|---|
| EC2 | Azure Virtual Machines |
| S3 | Azure Blob Storage |
| RDS | Azure SQL Database / Azure Database for PostgreSQL |
| Lambda | Azure Functions |
| EKS | Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) |
| IAM | Microsoft Entra ID / Azure RBAC |
The migration process
- Assess — inventory AWS resources, dependencies and data, and map them to Azure.
- Plan — choose rehost, re-platform or modernise per workload, and design the Azure landing zone.
- Set up Azure — networking, identity, security and CI/CD pipelines.
- Migrate in test — move workloads and data to a test environment first and validate.
- Sync data — replicate and keep data current up to cutover.
- Cut over — switch in a planned window with a rollback option, then optimise and right-size.
What drives cost — and how to avoid downtime
Effort and cost scale with your architecture (clean, modern apps move easily; tightly-coupled ones need work), data volume, and how many managed services need translating. Avoid downtime by migrating to a test environment first, keeping data in sync, and cutting over in a rehearsed window with a rollback plan — or running both clouds in parallel and shifting traffic gradually for critical systems. As always, right-size resources in Azure rather than copying AWS sizing blindly, or you'll overpay.
Planning an AWS to Azure migration?
We'll map your AWS estate to Azure, recommend the right approach per workload, and deliver the migration with a rehearsed, low-risk cutover.
How Acqurio Tech can help
We migrate workloads between clouds and run them well afterwards:
- Cloud & DevOps — migration, landing zones, CI/CD and cost optimisation.
- Azure and AWS — deep expertise in both clouds.
- Hire DevOps engineers — pre-vetted cloud migration talent.
Conclusion
AWS to Azure migration is very achievable because the two clouds map closely — it's mostly service translation, data movement and re-testing, not a rewrite. Move for a real reason like Microsoft integration or consolidation, map services carefully, stage the cutover to avoid downtime, and right-size in Azure. Done that way, it's a controlled migration rather than a leap of faith.
Frequently asked questions
Why migrate from AWS to Azure?
Usually for tighter Microsoft and .NET integration (with Microsoft 365, Entra ID and .NET workloads), enterprise agreements and discounts through an existing Microsoft relationship, consolidation onto one cloud, or specific Azure services and compliance needs — not because Azure is technically better than AWS.
How do AWS services map to Azure?
Most have clear equivalents: EC2 to Azure VMs, S3 to Blob Storage, RDS to Azure SQL or Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Lambda to Azure Functions, EKS to AKS, and IAM to Microsoft Entra ID and Azure RBAC. This close mapping makes migration largely a translation exercise rather than a rewrite.
Is AWS to Azure migration difficult?
It's very achievable because the clouds map closely. The effort depends on your architecture (clean apps move easily, tightly-coupled ones need work), data volume and how many managed services need translating. A staged plan with testing and data sync keeps it controlled.
Can I migrate from AWS to Azure without downtime?
Yes, with a staged approach: migrate to a test environment first, keep data in sync, and cut over in a rehearsed window with a rollback plan. For critical systems you can run both clouds in parallel and shift traffic gradually to eliminate downtime.
What does an AWS to Azure migration cost?
There's no flat figure — it depends on your architecture, data volume and managed-service use. Rehosting is cheaper than re-platforming or modernising. An assessment that maps your AWS estate to Azure produces a realistic, phased estimate, and right-sizing in Azure controls ongoing run cost.
Should I rehost or modernise during the migration?
It depends per workload. Rehosting (lift-and-shift) is fastest and lowest-risk but captures less cloud benefit; re-platforming to Azure managed services or modernising delivers more but takes more effort. Many teams rehost first to move quickly, then modernise the highest-value workloads over time.