Oracle Cloud (OCI) vs Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Simon Edward • 19 August 2024

OCI and AWS are two big players in the cloud world. Which is right for you? Get the facts in our guide.

Whether you're looking to migrate to the cloud from an on-prem data centre or from one cloud to another, the question quickly arises: which provider shall we use?

It's not an easy one to answer. This is partly because, on the face of it, there are more commonalities than differentiating factors among providers. Whatever your company's requirements for performance, compute and storage, it's likely that each of the major providers will have an offering for you.

And from one point of view, that's not wrong. The big names are big for a reason and will get you where you want to be.

But at the same time, business needs are singular and granular. Your current infrastructure, business needs and budget will all play into the provider you choose.

Two rivals in the cloud space are Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Both provide high-performance, low-latency cloud offerings. So how can you possibly choose between them?

Well, the main difference has to do with flexibility versus specialisation. AWS is famously flexible. It's used by everyone from startups to large enterprises in all manner of sectors.

In most settings, OCI performs equally well – but it's more specialised, and tends to be used by bigger enterprises with high computing demands. It also tends to be used by companies that already use Oracle software (though not always).

Beyond this, there are several key differences between the two providers.

Services

AWS has range. It offers a swathe of services, including virtualised compute, storage, networking, machine learning and analytics. Popular IaaS options include EC2, S3 storage and Virtual Private Cloud. But these are just the tip of the Amazon iceberg.

OCI, meanwhile, specialises in databases, containers and enterprise-level services. The focus is largely on PaaS (including Functions for serverless computing and Container Engine for Kubernetes) and SaaS (Database Cloud Service, Marketing Cloud and Analytics Cloud).

These offerings don't make one better than the other. It all depends on what your company needs – and what you're willing to spend.

Cost

Both OCI and AWS have pay-as-you-go pricing models – but there are differences.

AWS charges you for the resources that you consume on an hourly basis. This means that if you don't use a particular resource between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. on a Tuesday, say, you can shut it down and not be charged.

By contrast, OCI's pay-as-you-go model charges you for the full list of resources. It doesn't matter how much you use the resources. You pay each month for the lot.

If you don't need the full menu, OCI might not be for you. But if you do, its billing system allows you to budget accurately and effectively.

Speed

AWS's range is partly down to its global reach. It has a globally distributed network, meaning your systems can run on a data centre near you. In turn, this means lower latency and greater reliability than some other offerings.

OCI has less reach but lower latency. Its RDMA-based InfiniBand networking allows compute and storage to run with virtually no lag. This makes it ideal for enterprises that are chomping big data or leveraging machine learning, generative AI or supercomputers.

Compliance and security

As with speed and integration, compliance and security are integral to the success of any major cloud provider. A client's data is far too valuable to be compromised by shoddy security.

To this end, both AWS and OCI have robust, enterprise-level security features and compliance certifications.

Support

Both AWS and OCI offer 24/7 phone and online support along with partner networks. However, Oracle offers a more personalised level of support through dedicated technical account managers.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of online support communities for both services.

Integration

No major cloud provider can afford not to prioritise integration. The whole point of cloud migration is to get your workloads into a new environment. If there's too much friction along the way, the service won't survive.

Picture of a businessperson pulling a boulder.

That said, AWS and OCI approach integration in different ways. AWS can integrate with a multitude of third-party apps and services, with many open partnerships there to smooth the transitions.

OCI, on the other hand, integrates most smoothly with organisations that already use Oracle software. That said, it too has solutions that allow for cross-platform integration such as Oracle Cloud VMware Solution.

AWS or OCI: which should you choose?

In our view, there are three main considerations when choosing between AWS and OCI.

The first has to do with money. Is your business in a position to commit long-term to Oracle services? Or do you need the flexibility of monthly charges for just the resources you've used?

Second, you need to consider the services that you need. AWS has a bigger library of services. However, OCI may suit you better if you need sector-specific services.

Finally, there's the question of your business's size. Both AWS and OCI can be used by companies of all shapes and sizes. However, OCI tends to be used by large organisations that need lots of resources to run their workloads.

About Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS)

At Ascend Cloud Solutions, we're cloud-agnostic. That means we'll get you from A to B without minding what A and B are.

However, we do encourage our customers to consider Oracle Cloud VMware Solution (OCVS): an innovative product that lets customers shift their on-premise VMware workloads to Oracle Cloud.

This means you can keep using familiar tools while enjoying the benefits of OCI's public cloud infrastructure. And once the move has been made, you still have administrative control of your workloads.

It's secure, cost-effective and fast. So, if you're looking to shift your VMware workloads, consider OCVS.

Interested in migrating to OCI or Oracle Cloud VMware Solution? At Ascend Cloud Solutions, we've managed more than 400 migrations, so we have the experience and knowledge you need to nail your Oracle Cloud migration strategy. Don't hesitate to get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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