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Azure vs AWS: Which Is Better for a Small or Mid-Sized Business?

Both run anything. For Microsoft-centric SMBs, identity and licensing usually decide it.

Azure and AWS can both run essentially any workload. For a small or mid-sized business that already runs on Microsoft 365, Azure usually wins on identity integration, licensing and management simplicity; AWS is often the better fit for specific applications, development teams or vendors that are built on it. The decision is about fit, not capability.

Where Azure has the edge for SMBs

  • Identity. Microsoft Entra ID already runs your Microsoft 365 logins. Azure uses the same directory, so MFA, Conditional Access and user lifecycle carry over.
  • Licensing. Azure Hybrid Benefit lets you apply existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses, and Azure Virtual Desktop licensing is bundled into many Microsoft 365 plans.
  • Management. One admin ecosystem (Intune, Defender, Entra, Azure) instead of two.
  • Familiarity. Most IT providers serving SMBs are deepest in Microsoft.

Where AWS has the edge

  • Application ecosystems. Many SaaS products and developer stacks are built on AWS, and some vendors require it.
  • Breadth of services for custom software, data and analytics teams.
  • Existing investment. If your developers or a key vendor already run on AWS, moving is rarely worth it.

Questions that decide it

  1. Is your identity Microsoft 365 / Entra ID? Lean Azure.
  2. Do you have in-house developers or a vendor with a strong AWS preference? Lean AWS for those workloads.
  3. Are you mainly moving Windows servers, file services and desktops? Azure.
  4. Do you already have significant AWS spend? Stay and optimize.

Both is normal

Plenty of businesses run Microsoft 365 and Azure for identity, desktops and servers while a specific application lives in AWS. What matters is that someone manages security, cost and backup across both.

Mentis Group provides both Azure support and consulting and AWS support and consulting in Dallas-Fort Worth. See what Azure is used for, what an AWS consultant does and on-premises vs cloud for the surrounding decisions.

Have a question about your own environment? Schedule a consultation with Mentis Group or call (866) 901-7808.