Softwr

Software · head to head

AWS (Amazon Web Services) vs Palo Alto Networks

AWS (Amazon Web Services) logo

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Software

The leading cloud computing platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Palo Alto Networks logo

Palo Alto Networks

Software

Enterprise cybersecurity platform

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; Palo Alto Networks enterprise-focused pricing model
  • They diverge on capability: AWS (Amazon Web Services) covers EC2 - Virtual Servers, Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Palo Alto Networks actually diverge.

Attributes where AWS (Amazon Web Services) and Palo Alto Networks differ
AttributeAWS (Amazon Web Services)Palo Alto Networks
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Api, Cli, MobileCloud, On-premises, Hybrid
Founded20062005

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Palo Alto Networks

  • Advanced threat prevention
  • Threat detection and response
  • Cloud security
  • Endpoint protection
  • Network security
  • API protection
  • Incident response
  • Threat intelligence

Both cover

  • SOC2
  • ISO27001
  • HIPAA

What people use each for

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

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

  • Web hostingnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Data storagenot Palo Alto Networks
  • Machine learningnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Big data analyticsnot Palo Alto Networks
  • Application developmentnot Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise network security and threat protectionnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Cloud-native application protectionnot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Identity and access securitynot AWS (Amazon Web Services)
  • Security operations and incident responsenot 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

Palo Alto Networks

  • Enterprise-focused pricing model
  • Complex implementation required

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

Palo Alto Networks

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/year
    • Threat prevention
    • Detection and response
    • Cloud security

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 Palo Alto Networks if

  • You need advanced threat prevention.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
  • You also want threat detection and response.
Palo Alto Networks review

Questions people ask

Is AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Palo Alto Networks better?
Neither clearly leads. AWS (Amazon Web Services) starts at Free and Palo Alto Networks 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 Palo Alto Networks?
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 Palo Alto Networks.
Does AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Palo Alto Networks run on more platforms?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) runs on Web, Api, Cli, Mobile. Palo Alto Networks runs on Cloud, On-premises, Hybrid.
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. Palo Alto Networks 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 Palo Alto Networks is typically brought in for.
What can AWS (Amazon Web Services) do that Palo Alto Networks cannot?
AWS (Amazon Web Services) covers EC2 - Virtual Servers, S3 - Object Storage, RDS - Managed Database, Lambda - Serverless Computing. Palo Alto Networks covers Advanced threat prevention, Threat detection and response, Cloud security, Endpoint protection. Both handle SOC2, ISO27001, HIPAA.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on AWS (Amazon Web Services)

More on Palo Alto Networks

Keep looking

Other head to heads