AWS Lambda vs Azure Functions

Someone asked me the other day “What’s the difference between AWS Lambda’s and Azure Functions”. Well here’s my go at explaining that…

AWS Lambda and Azure Functions are both serverless computing platforms that allow developers to run their code without the need to provision or manage servers. Both platforms are designed to make it easy to build and run applications and services, but they do have some key differences.

One of the main differences between the two platforms is the language support. AWS Lambda supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, Node.js, Java, C#, and Go, while Azure Functions currently only supports C#, JavaScript, and Java.

Another key difference is the way that the two platforms handle scaling. AWS Lambda automatically scales your application based on incoming requests, while Azure Functions uses a more manual approach, requiring you to set specific scaling rules.

In terms of pricing, both platforms are pay-per-use and have similar pricing structures, but AWS Lambda does offer a free tier for new users. Additionally, AWS Lambda offers a wider range of integrations and services, such as with Amazon S3 and DynamoDB, while Azure Functions has a more limited set of integrations.

When it comes to development experience, Azure Functions has a simpler developer experience, with a visual editor that makes it easy to create and edit functions. AWS Lambda, on the other hand, is more flexible and offers more advanced features, but it can be more complex to use.

In summary, AWS Lambda and Azure Functions are both great options for serverless computing, but they are best suited for different types of applications. If you are looking for a platform with a wide range of language support and advanced features, AWS Lambda is the better option. If you prefer a simpler developer experience and a more limited set of integrations, Azure Functions is a good choice.

Do you use Lambda’s or Azure Functions? Which do you prefer and why?