AWS Lambda vs Azure Functions

by Gralio Mar 10, 2025

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions are both serverless compute services, offering similar benefits like automatic scaling and pay-per-use pricing. Lambda is ideal for businesses deeply embedded in the AWS ecosystem, while Azure Functions offers more flexibility with its hosting options and integrations for diverse cloud environments.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 1328 reviews and 59 websites, saving 7 hours, 52 minutes of reading.

AWS Lambda

Website LinkedIn Twitter

Azure Functions

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

AWS Lambda lets you run your applications without worrying about servers. It's like magic! You only pay for the exact time your code runs, and it scales automatically to handle any workload. Upload your code, and AWS Lambda takes care of the rest. It's perfect for busy teams who want to focus on building great software, not managing infrastructure.

Azure Functions lets you run small pieces of code (called "functions") in the cloud without worrying about managing servers. It's ideal for automating tasks, like processing data or reacting to events in your applications, without the complexity of building and maintaining a full application infrastructure.

Summary

Main difference

AWS Lambda excels in its deep integration with other AWS services, making it a natural choice for businesses already invested in the AWS ecosystem. Azure Functions stands out with its flexible hosting options and diverse integrations, catering to a broader range of cloud environments and development needs.

Relative strengths of AWS Lambda (compared to Azure Functions)

Seamless integration with the AWS ecosystem simplifies development and deployment for existing AWS users.
Extensive AWS service integrations enable complex event-driven architectures and workflows.
Strong community support and ample documentation facilitate troubleshooting and learning.

Relative weaknesses of AWS Lambda (compared to Azure Functions)

Vendor lock-in can be a concern for businesses seeking multi-cloud or hybrid solutions.
Cold starts can impact performance, especially for infrequently used functions.
Debugging and monitoring can be more complex compared to traditional server-based applications.

Who should use AWS Lambda VS. Azure Functions

AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. Users love its automatic scaling and pay-per-use model, integrating seamlessly with other AWS services. However, some users have noted issues with cold starts and debugging complexities. It's ideal for businesses of all sizes in the software, IT, and telecommunications industry looking to build and deploy applications without managing infrastructure.

Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that lets you run code without managing servers. Ideal for developers and businesses of all sizes, it excels at automating tasks and handling event-driven applications. Users praise its serverless architecture, automatic scaling, and cost-effective pricing, while some note challenges with cold starts and debugging.

Ideal for small businesses, medium businesses, and large enterprises.
Best fit for Software, IT, and Telecommunications.

Ideal for small businesses, medium businesses, and large enterprises.
Best fit for the Software, IT, & Telecommunications industry.

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Serverless compute

Supported

AWS Lambda supports serverless computing, scaling automatically without server management.

Supported

Azure Functions offers serverless compute, scaling automatically without server management.
Variety of integrations

Supported

AWS Lambda integrates with over 200 AWS services and SaaS applications, simplifying complex application development.

Supported

Azure Functions integrates with various Azure and external services via triggers and bindings, simplifying development.
Flexible hosting options

Not supported

Lambda does not offer hosting plans, it scales automatically based on demand.

Supported

Azure Functions offers various hosting plans, including Consumption, Premium, and Dedicated, with automatic scaling and dedicated resources.
AWS integration

Supported

AWS Lambda is designed to connect to and work with various AWS services.

Partially supported

Azure Functions can connect to AWS indirectly, for example using webhooks or the AWS SDK.
Azure integration

Partially supported

Lambda can connect to Azure via third-party connectors or Azure Active Directory for authentication.

Supported

Azure Functions is designed to connect to and work with Microsoft Azure.
Cloud integration

Supported

AWS Lambda integrates seamlessly with various AWS services and other cloud platforms.

Supported

Azure Functions integrates with various cloud platforms, especially within the Azure ecosystem.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

+0.52

Rather positive sentiment

+0.43

Rather positive sentiment
Customer Service

+0.5

Rather positive sentiment

+0.2

Neutral sentiment
Ease of Use

+0.68

Rather positive sentiment

+0.67

Rather positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

+0.57

Rather positive sentiment

+0.87

Strongly positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

+0.52

Rather positive sentiment

+0.67

Rather positive sentiment
Scalability

+0.89

Strongly positive sentiment

+0.83

Strongly positive sentiment

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions Pricing

AWS Lambda's pricing is primarily based on the number of requests, the duration of code execution, and the allocated memory. The free tier includes one million free requests and 400,000 GB-seconds of compute time per month. Additional charges may apply for data transfer, ephemeral storage, provisioned concurrency, SnapStart, HTTP response streaming, provisioned mode for event source mapping, and Lambda@Edge.

User sentiment

Rather positive

+0.52

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Rather positive

+0.43

We couldn't find a pricing page for Azure Functions.

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions review insights

1328 reviews analysed from

Users love

Serverless architecture simplifies application development by removing server management.
Automatic scaling handles fluctuations in workload efficiently.
Cost-effective pay-per-use pricing model, only paying for compute time consumed.
Integrates well with other AWS services, enabling event-driven architectures.
Supports multiple programming languages, catering to diverse development preferences.

Serverless architecture simplifies deployment and management, allowing developers to focus on code.
Automatic scaling capabilities ensure optimal performance and resource utilization.
Cost-effective pricing model, only paying for actual compute time used.
Supports multiple programming languages, providing flexibility for developers.
Seamless integration with other Azure services enhances application development and automation.

Users dislike

Cold starts can cause performance issues, especially for time-sensitive applications.
Limited execution time of 15 minutes can be restrictive for long processes.
Debugging and monitoring serverless functions can be more complex than traditional applications.
Vendor lock-in can be a concern when heavily reliant on the AWS ecosystem.

Cold starts can cause delays in function execution, impacting time-sensitive applications.
Limited control over the underlying infrastructure can be a concern for some users.
Debugging complex functions and distributed systems can be challenging.
Cost estimation for larger deployments can be complex and potentially lead to unexpected expenses.
Initial setup and configuration can be confusing for new users, especially those unfamiliar with serverless architecture.

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(1050)
Glassdoor

3.7/5

(206324)

G2

4.5/5

(285)

Company health

Employee growth

12% increase in the last year

3% increase in the last year

Web traffic

3% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How do AWS Lambda's cold starts compare to Azure Functions' cold starts?

Both AWS Lambda and Azure Functions experience cold starts, which can introduce latency. While both providers have implemented strategies to mitigate cold starts, they remain a factor to consider. Users of both platforms report cold starts as a drawback. There is no clear consensus on which platform experiences more frequent or longer cold starts as it can depend on various factors like function configuration, runtime environment, and usage patterns.

Which product integrates better with my existing AWS or Azure ecosystem?

AWS Lambda integrates better with an existing AWS ecosystem due to its native design. While Azure Functions integrates well within the Azure ecosystem, Lambda is purpose-built for AWS and offers more seamless integration with other AWS services.

What are the advantages of AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda offers several advantages. It simplifies application development through its serverless architecture, eliminating server management overhead. Automatic scaling ensures efficient resource utilization and handles workload fluctuations effectively. The pay-per-use pricing model is cost-effective, as users only pay for the compute time consumed. Furthermore, Lambda seamlessly integrates with other AWS services, facilitating event-driven architectures. Lastly, it supports multiple programming languages, catering to diverse developer preferences.

What are the disadvantages of AWS Lambda?

AWS Lambda's disadvantages include cold starts causing performance issues for time-sensitive applications, a limited execution time of 15 minutes restricting long processes, more complex debugging and monitoring compared to traditional applications, and potential vendor lock-in with the AWS ecosystem.

Alternatives to AWS Lambda and Azure Functions

Azure Virtual Network

Azure Virtual Network lets you create a secure, private network within Microsoft's cloud platform. This allows your company's cloud resources, like servers and applications, to communicate with each other and with on-premises networks, safely and privately. This service is beneficial for businesses of all sizes that want enhanced security and control over their cloud networking.

SAP Crystal Server

SAP Crystal Server is a business intelligence platform allowing companies to transform data into interactive reports and dashboards. It offers a central hub to securely share these reports across your organization, whether through web browsers, mobile devices, or embedded within applications. This makes it easier for decision-makers to access critical information regardless of their location, improving data-driven decision-making.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services, from basic infrastructure like virtual servers and storage to advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence tools. Favored by many large corporations, Azure allows you to build and manage applications and services on a global network. Its flexibility allows for on-site, hybrid, and cloud-based solutions to meet your company's specific needs.

IronWorker

IronWorker is a service that lets you run your applications in the cloud without having to manage the underlying servers. You package your code into containers, and IronWorker handles scaling them up or down as needed to meet demand. This makes it ideal for handling tasks that are bursty in nature or require varying amounts of resources. IronWorker works with any programming language and can be deployed to various cloud providers or your own infrastructure.

Salesforce Platform

Salesforce Platform is a cloud-based platform that lets you build and customize business applications. It offers tools for coding, automation, data management, and app integration, regardless of your coding experience. Salesforce Platform helps businesses connect different data sources to get a complete view of their customers and build custom solutions to serve them better. It's part of the larger Salesforce ecosystem, known for its focus on customer relationship management.

Cloudsmith

Cloudsmith is a cloud-based platform that helps you manage and deliver your software. It acts like a central hub for all your software components, ensuring they are stored securely and distributed quickly to your team and customers. Cloudsmith supports various software package types and integrates with popular developer tools. Its focus on security and global distribution speed makes it easier for your teams to build and release software efficiently.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?

Did this help you select your product?

Other issues? Vote & Let us know