AWS RDS for SQL Server

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Our visitors often compare AWS RDS for SQL Server with SQL Server On-Premises and Azure SQL Managed Instance

Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance SQL Server On-Premises SQL Server on Azure VM SQL Server on AWS EC2

AWS RDS for SQL Server

Deployment and Management

Deployment

Launch via AWS console by selecting SQL edition/size – automated provisioning in minutes, no OS install needed.

Management

Fully managed by AWS – automated backups, patching during maintenance windows.

Customization

Somewhat limited – no OS access, must use parameter groups for tuning; many but not all SQL features availableSomewhat limited – no OS access, must use parameter groups for tuning; many but not all SQL features available.

Use Case

Great for simplifying DB management in AWS for standard workloads – companies that want cloud automation and can live within RDS feature limits (trading some flexibility for ease).

Maintenance and Operations

Maintenance Responsibility

Amazon – AWS applies SQL patches during set maintenance windows (or automatic minor version upgrades).

Operational Control

Partial – you get an admin account but not full sysadmin; certain procedures and settings are blocked for stability.

Backups

Automated: daily snapshots + log backups (PITR up to 35 days) are handled by AWS; you can also take manual snapshots for longer retention.

Scalability and Performance

Scalability

Vertical: modify instance class (reboot); Horizontal: Read Replicas (for Enterprise) allow up to 5 read-only copies (including cross-region); no horizontal write scaling (one primary).

Performance

Strong performance for most workloads but with some cloud overhead: RDS uses EBS storage (e.g., gp3 or io2 volumes up to 64k+ IOPS), and you can choose instance types with more memory/CPU. Very large workloads or those needing special hardware (like NVMe) might not fit in RDS’s offerings as of now.

Elasticity

No automatic compute scaling – the instance class is fixed. RDS does support auto storage increase, so storage can grow with usage. For compute, one could use AWS Application Auto Scaling for RDS in some cases to trigger a bigger instance on schedule, but it involves a reboot – so essentially not seamless auto-scale.

Features and Capabilities

SQL Server Version

RDS supports multiple SQL Server versions (as of 2023, versions 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and now 2022 are available on RDS) – you choose a major version when launching, and AWS handles the minor version patching. However, older versions eventually get deprecated for new instances.

SQL Feature Support

Most SQL Server features are supported, but RDS lacks extensibility: no FILESTREAM, PolyBase, ML Services, CLR (2017+), or xp_cmdshell. Some server-level settings can’t be changed after launch.

Cross-Database Queries

Yes, if multiple databases are on the same RDS instance, you can cross-query them. You cannot cross-query between different RDS instances directly (no official linked server support for cross-instance, since you lack sysadmin to configure it, though heterogeneous links might be possible in some cases with limitations).

Custom Software

No – cannot access the OS. Even enabling certain SQL features that require custom action is not possible. For example, you cannot install a custom certificate for SQL Server at the OS level (RDS manages the certificates). You rely on what AWS provides out-of-box.

Network and Security

Network Configuration

Deployed in your AWS VPC – you choose subnet group (which maps to subnets in different AZs for Multi-AZ). Usually kept in a private subnet; you control access via security groups and route tables. Option for a public endpoint exists (mainly for development or if you have no VPN).

Security

RDS encrypts data, logs, and backups using AWS KMS, supports SSL for in-transit encryption, and integrates with AWS Directory Service for Windows Authentication. AWS manages OS security patching, and RDS meets compliance standards like SOC1 and PCI DSS.

Authentication

Supports SQL authentication and Windows Authentication via AWS Managed Microsoft AD, allowing domain-joined AD users to log in. Does not support Azure AD or IAM authentication for SQL Server.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery

High Availability

RDS Multi-AZ maintains a synchronous standby replica in another AZ, enabling automatic failover (30-60s) during outages. The application reconnects to the same endpoint seamlessly.

Disaster Recovery

RDS Enterprise Edition supports Cross-Region Read Replicas for DR and read scaling, but writes require manual promotion. Non-Enterprise users rely on manual snapshots for cold standby, as automated cross-region failover isn’t built-in.

Pricing and Licensing

Pricing

RDS for SQL Server charges hourly based on instance class, storage, and I/O. Pricing includes the SQL license, making it costlier than MySQL/Postgres. A db.m5.2xlarge (8 vCPU, 32GB) costs ~$3/hour, while Multi-AZ roughly doubles the price.

Licensing Model

RDS for SQL Server is License-Included only (except RDS Custom); BYOL is not supported. Costs include SQL Server CALs or per-core licensing, with discounts available via Reserved Instances (1-3 years). Express/Web editions are cheaper but limited.

Pricing Comparison of Database Configuration

8vCore + 4TB Data size + Backup,  Single Instance

A db.m5.2xlarge (8 vCPU) RDS SQL Standard instance with 4TB General Purpose storage in US East costs $2.2k–$2.5k/month on-demand ($3.00–$3.50/hour), including the SQL license. Running the same on EC2 (BYOL) is cheaper but lacks RDS’s management benefits.

8vCore + 4TB Data size + Backup + DR/HA

The same 8 vCPU Multi-AZ (HA enabled) instance costs $4.4k–$5k/month due to a standby replica. Adding a cross-region read replica increases the total to $7k+/month. Costs can be reduced with Reserved Instances or Standard edition instead of Enterprise.