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AWS (Amazon Web Services) vs DynamoDB

AWS (Amazon Web Services) logo

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Software

The leading cloud computing platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DynamoDB logo

DynamoDB

Software

Fast, flexible NoSQL database service for any scale

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AWS (Amazon Web Services) has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AWS (Amazon Web Services) data transfer in is free and data transfer out is charged, which is the standard source of unexpected bills; DynamoDB noSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • They diverge on capability: AWS (Amazon Web Services) covers EC2 - Virtual Servers, DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS (Amazon Web Services) and DynamoDB actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS (Amazon Web Services) and DynamoDB differ
AttributeAWS (Amazon Web Services)DynamoDB
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Api, Cli, MobileAWS

Identical on both: pricing model (usage-based), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2006).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AWS (Amazon Web Services)

  • EC2 - Virtual Servers
  • S3 - Object Storage
  • RDS - Managed Database
  • Lambda - Serverless Computing
  • CloudFront - CDN
  • VPC - Virtual Network
  • IAM - Access Management
  • CloudWatch - Monitoring

Only in DynamoDB

  • Single-digit Millisecond Latency
  • Serverless
  • Auto-scaling
  • Global Tables
  • Point-in-time Recovery
  • Encryption
  • Streams
  • Lambda

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

  • Web hostingnot DynamoDB
  • Data storagenot DynamoDB
  • Machine learningnot DynamoDB
  • Big data analyticsnot DynamoDB
  • Application developmentnot DynamoDB

DynamoDB

  • High-scale, variable-workload applicationsnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Mobile and IoT device backendsnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Real-time analytics and dashboardsnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Multi-region, globally distributed applicationsnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

  • Data transfer in is free and data transfer out is charged, which is the standard source of unexpected bills
  • Discounts require one or three year Savings Plan commitments rather than being automatic
  • Every service is priced separately, so a working architecture has no single published cost
  • The free tier is a promotional allowance rather than an ongoing free plan

DynamoDB

  • NoSQL-only; does not support complex relational queries or SQL joins
  • Limited query flexibility; requires thinking in terms of keys and indexes rather than ad-hoc queries

Pricing, plan by plan

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Free
  • AWS Free TierFree
    • EC2 750 hours/month
    • 5GB S3 storage
    • 20GB data transfer
  • Pay-As-You-GoFree
    • No upfront payment
    • No long-term commitments
    • Pay only for what you use

DynamoDB

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the DynamoDB review.

Which should you pick?

Choose AWS (Amazon Web Services) if

  • You need ec2 - virtual servers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Cli, Mobile.
  • You also want s3 - object storage.
AWS (Amazon Web Services) review

Choose DynamoDB if

  • You need single-digit millisecond latency.
  • You work on AWS.
  • You also want serverless.
DynamoDB review

Questions people ask

Is AWS (Amazon Web Services) or DynamoDB better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS (Amazon Web Services) starts at Free and DynamoDB at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AWS (Amazon Web Services) or DynamoDB?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AWS (Amazon Web Services) and On request for DynamoDB.
Does AWS (Amazon Web Services) or DynamoDB run on more platforms?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) runs on Web, Api, Cli, Mobile. DynamoDB runs on AWS.
Can I use AWS (Amazon Web Services) for free?
Yes. AWS (Amazon Web Services) has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DynamoDB starts at On request.
What is AWS (Amazon Web Services) best used for?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is most often used for web hosting, data storage, machine learning, big data analytics. Of those, web hosting and data storage are not what DynamoDB is typically brought in for.
What can AWS (Amazon Web Services) do that DynamoDB cannot?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) covers EC2 - Virtual Servers, S3 - Object Storage, RDS - Managed Database, Lambda - Serverless Computing. DynamoDB covers Single-digit Millisecond Latency, Serverless, Auto-scaling, Global Tables.
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