Microsoft Azure vs AWS in India (2026)

Microsoft AzureVSAWSCloud – India
Azure or AWS? Your stack already voted
The Short Version

Azure vs AWS India: which public cloud fits your stack

Live in Microsoft 365 and SQL Server and Azure usually wins on cost. Go Linux-first and cloud-native and AWS is the safer default.

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Written by Karthik Iyer, Cloud Practice Lead, Sirius Star
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Updated 3 Jul 2026
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Editorial content reviewed by Sudeep Kumar, CEO
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The verdict in one line

There is no universal winner. Azure is cheaper and cleaner for Microsoft-stack workloads and BFSI compliance. AWS is more mature for Linux-first, cloud-native builds and broad integrations. Sirius Star sells both and sizes to your workload, not to a badge.

Microsoft Azure vs AWS at a glance

Both brands in one view. Where each one wins, and where the ASP network changes the answer.

Microsoft Azure

India regions
Central India (Pune) and South India (Chennai), with West India (Mumbai) for replication.
Best-fit stack
Microsoft shops. Microsoft 365, Entra ID, SQL Server, .NET and Windows Server.
Pricing edge
Azure Hybrid Benefit reuses your existing Windows and SQL licences to cut the bill sharply.
Compliance
Holds RBI data-centre approval, which shortens the audit path for BFSI buyers.
Migration
ExpressRoute and Azure Arc make hybrid links to on-prem Windows estates straightforward.
Support fit
Deep partner channel in India. Sirius Star is a Microsoft partner.

AWS

India regions
Mumbai (ap-south-1, live since 2016 and the most mature) and Hyderabad (ap-south-2).
Best-fit stack
Linux-first and cloud-native builds. The widest managed-service catalogue.
Pricing edge
Savings Plans and Graviton give strong price-performance for Linux workloads.
Compliance
Meets Indian data-residency needs, with explicit data-residency guardrails.
Migration
Largest partner and developer ecosystem, so hiring and third-party tools are easy.
Support fit
Paid support tiers for production. Billed in INR via AWS India for GST.

The Microsoft Azure and AWS ranges Sirius Star supplies

Two picks from each brand. We size the mix in the free 30-minute review.

Microsoft-stack pick

Azure for the Microsoft stack

If you already pay for Microsoft 365 and run SQL Server, Azure removes friction and cost.

Current India models: Central India (Pune), South India (Chennai)*
  • Azure Hybrid Benefit on Windows and SQL
  • Ties into Entra ID and Microsoft 365
  • RBI-approved data-centre path
Windows migration

Azure for Windows and SQL migration

The clean lift-and-shift home for a Windows Server and SQL estate.

Current India models: D-series and B-series VMs, Azure SQL*
  • Reuse existing server licences
  • Managed Azure SQL
  • ExpressRoute hybrid links
Cloud-native pick

AWS for cloud-native

The mature default for Linux-first, API-driven builds that want the biggest service catalogue.

Current India models: Mumbai (ap-south-1), Hyderabad (ap-south-2)*
  • Widest managed-service range
  • Graviton price-performance
  • Largest partner ecosystem
Scale and Linux

AWS for Linux and scale

When flexibility and third-party integrations matter more than Microsoft licensing.

Current India models: EC2 Savings Plans, S3, RDS*
  • Savings Plans flexibility
  • INR billing via AWS India
  • Deep third-party integrations
*Disclaimer: Model numbers shown are illustrative examples of the current India line-up. Microsoft Azure and AWS refresh their line-ups periodically and stock varies by branch. Please contact Sirius Star for latest availability and price.

Microsoft Azure vs AWS: feature by feature

The specifics that decide the buy, for the Indian buyer.

FeatureMicrosoft AzureAWS
India regionsCentral India (Pune), South India (Chennai), West India (Mumbai) for replication.Mumbai (ap-south-1) since 2016 and Hyderabad (ap-south-2). The most mature Indian footprint.
Best-fit stackMicrosoft 365, Entra ID, SQL Server, .NET, Windows Server.Linux-first, cloud-native, broad third-party integrations.
Pricing modelCompetitive on general-purpose VMs. Hybrid Benefit reuses your licences.Savings Plans and Graviton lead on price-performance for Linux.
Windows and SQL licensingAzure Hybrid Benefit reuses existing licences and lowers total cost.No equivalent licence reuse, so Windows workloads cost more here.
Compliance (RBI, DPDP)Holds RBI data-centre approval. A shorter path for BFSI audits.Meets DPDP data-residency with strong data-residency controls.
Ecosystem and servicesStrong, and unbeatable inside the Microsoft world.Widest managed-service catalogue and the largest developer pool.
Billing and GSTGST invoice through Microsoft’s India entity.INR billing and GST invoice through AWS India, flexible payment methods.
Best-fit buyerMicrosoft-heavy teams and regulated BFSI shops.Linux-native startups and integration-heavy platforms.

Which one for what

The clean decision guide for common Indian B2B scenarios. Pick the row that fits.

You already run Microsoft 365 and SQL Server

Azure. Hybrid Benefit and Entra ID integration usually make it cheaper and simpler than moving to AWS.

You are a Linux-first, cloud-native team

AWS. The mature Mumbai region, the service catalogue and the developer pool make it the safer default.

You are a bank, NBFC or insurer

Azure leans ahead on the RBI data-centre approval, which shortens the compliance conversation with auditors.

You have existing Microsoft volume licences

Azure. Apply them through MACC and Hybrid Benefit and the effective price drops below list.

You need the broadest third-party integrations

AWS. The ecosystem and managed-service depth are hard to match for integration-heavy platforms.

How Sirius Star sizes Microsoft Azure or AWS

Free review first. Then a written quote in 24 working hours.

1

Site survey + sizing

Free 30-min call. We map load, refresh cycle, and current estate.

2

Both brands quoted

Written quote in 24 working hours. Itemised. GST broken out.

3

PO and dispatch from Vashi

Typical 10 working days for stock SKUs. Staggered rollout if multi-site.

4

Warranty and refresh wrap

One escalation path. Refresh calendar in writing. Buyback where offered.

“We sell Azure. We still told the client to keep their analytics on AWS and move only the Windows estate to Azure. Two clouds, one bill review each month, and the CFO finally trusts the invoice.”

Cloud practice note, Sirius Star (paraphrased engagement)

Free field guide

Azure vs AWS: the India decision guide

  • Which workloads belong on which cloud
  • RBI and DPDP data-residency checklist
  • How to read the India-region bill
Free. Delivered to your email after the form.

Microsoft Azure vs AWS in India FAQ

Common questions Indian buyers ask. Answers grounded in current sources.

Is Azure or AWS better for Indian businesses?
It depends on your stack. Azure is usually cheaper and simpler for Microsoft-heavy teams, because Hybrid Benefit lets you reuse Windows and SQL licences. AWS is the more mature default for Linux-first and cloud-native builds, with the widest service catalogue and the largest developer pool in India.
Which cloud is cheaper in India?
For Microsoft workloads, Azure with Hybrid Benefit is often cheaper on a total-cost basis. For Linux workloads, AWS Savings Plans and Graviton usually win on price-performance. The honest answer needs your actual workload mix, which is what we size in the review.
Do both meet RBI and DPDP data-residency rules?
Both run Indian regions and meet DPDP data-residency needs. Azure additionally holds RBI data-centre approval, which many banks, NBFCs and insurers find shortens the audit conversation.
Sirius Star is a Microsoft partner. Will you still recommend AWS?
Yes. We supply and support both. If your workload belongs on AWS, we will tell you so and help you run it well. Picking the wrong cloud to suit a vendor costs you more than it saves us.
How fast can we get a costed plan?
We start with a free 30-minute review, then send a written workload-by-workload plan within 24 working hours, with an India-region cost estimate you can take to finance.

Not sure which cloud your workloads belong on?

Send us your stack. We map each workload to Azure or AWS, price the India region, and tell you honestly where a mix beats a single vendor.

200+ Indian businesses trust Sirius Star. Reply within 24 working hours.

Pair this on one PO

What buyers typically add to a Sirius Star order.

Brand page

Microsoft Azure for India

Regions, Hybrid Benefit and how we run Azure.

Go →Brand page

AWS for Indian businesses

Mumbai and Hyderabad regions, INR billing, cost control.

Go →Add-on

Microsoft 365 for business

The productivity layer most Azure buyers already run.

Go →

Related reading from the Sirius Star blog

Long-form context from our team.

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A calmer path off on-prem.

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Where the AWS bill leaks, and how to plug it

A Noida SaaS cost review.

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Microsoft 365 backup retention, the hard way

A Monday a mailbox went missing.

Read on the blog →

Sources referenced

  1. Why Azure vs. AWS (Microsoft, India pricing)– azure.microsoft.com
  2. AWS in India (regions and local presence)– aws.amazon.com
  3. Community thread: Azure vs AWS in India– reddit.com