Amazon DynamoDB vs Azure Cosmos DB: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon DynamoDB and Azure Cosmos DB comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. MongoDB is our overall Managed Databases pick. MongoDB is our free Managed Databases pick. Pick Azure Cosmos DB if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Amazon DynamoDB
Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency
Best for you if:
- • You want fully managed NoSQL
Azure Cosmos DB
Globally distributed multi-model database on Azure
Best for you if:
- • You want multi-model database
| At a Glance | Amazon DynamoDB | Azure Cosmos DB |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.00065/WCU/hour Provisioned | $0.008/100 RU/s/hour Provisioned |
Category | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 2.9/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 1.3 951 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 68 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Backup storage costs can add up |
Choose Amazon DynamoDB or Azure Cosmos DB?
Choose Amazon DynamoDB if
- You want fully managed NoSQL
- You want single-digit millisecond latency
- Budget matters ($0.00065/WCU/hour vs $0.008/100 RU/s/hour)
Choose Azure Cosmos DB if
- You want multi-model database
- You want global distribution
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon DynamoDB
Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency
DynamoDB's pricing is generally fair, especially with the generous Free Tier and the upcoming 50% price reduction in Jan 2025.
Strengths
- Pro: Fully managed NoSQL
- Pro: Single-digit millisecond latency
- Pro: Scales automatically
- Pro: Serverless option
- Pro: Global tables
Weaknesses
- Con: Pricing complex
- Con: Query limitations
- Con: No joins or complex queries
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Learning curve for data modeling
Key features
Azure Cosmos DB
Globally distributed multi-model database on Azure
Azure Cosmos DB offers a generous Free Tier, making it accessible for initial development.
Watch out
Backup storage costs can add up
Strengths
- Pro: Multi-model database
- Pro: Global distribution
- Pro: Multiple consistency levels
- Pro: Serverless option
- Pro: Good for geo-distributed apps
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Complex pricing (RUs)
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Some limitations per model
Key features
Pricing: Amazon DynamoDB vs Azure Cosmos DB
| Plan | Amazon DynamoDB | Azure Cosmos DB |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Tier | Free Tier |
| Tier 2 | $1.25 /1M writes On-Demand | $0.25 /1M RUs Serverless |
| Tier 3 | $0.00065 /WCU/hour Provisioned | $0.008 /100 RU/s/hour Provisioned |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon DynamoDB pricing and Azure Cosmos DB pricing.
Key Takeaways
Amazon DynamoDB
- Larger review base (951 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Azure Cosmos DB
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 2.9/5
The Bottom Line
Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. MongoDB is our overall Managed Databases pick. MongoDB is our free Managed Databases pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon DynamoDB or Azure Cosmos DB better in 2026?
Amazon DynamoDB wins this matchup. MongoDB is our overall Managed Databases pick. MongoDB is our free Managed Databases pick. Pick Amazon DynamoDB for data & databases workflows (main strength: fully managed NoSQL). Pick Azure Cosmos DB for data & databases workflows (main strength: multi-model database).
What are Amazon DynamoDB and Azure Cosmos DB used for?
Amazon DynamoDB: Serverless NoSQL database with single-digit millisecond latency. Azure Cosmos DB: Globally distributed multi-model database on Azure.
What does Amazon DynamoDB cost vs Azure Cosmos DB?
Amazon DynamoDB's paid plans start at $0.00065/WCU/hour (Provisioned). Azure Cosmos DB's paid plans start at $0.008/100 RU/s/hour (Provisioned).
What's the main difference between Amazon DynamoDB and Azure Cosmos DB?
Amazon DynamoDB's main strength: fully managed NoSQL. Azure Cosmos DB's main strength: multi-model database.