Amazon Redshift vs Azure Synapse: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Amazon Redshift and Azure Synapse 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 Redshift is our overall pick for data & databases workflows. Pick Azure Synapse if you need data warehouses.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Best for you if:
- • You need data & databases features specifically
- • AWS cloud data warehouse
- • Petabyte-scale analytics
Azure Synapse
Analytics service combining data warehousing and big data
Best for you if:
- • You need data warehouses features specifically
- • Azure Synapse Analytics combines data warehousing and big data analytics in one service
- • It queries data lakes and warehouses with SQL or Spark at massive scale
| At a Glance |  Amazon Redshift | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.25/hourProvisioned | $5/TB processedServerless SQL |
Best For | Data & Databases | Data Warehouses |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Amazon Redshift or Azure Synapse?
Choose Amazon Redshift if
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
- Deep AWS integration
- Mature and proven
- Serverless option
- Budget matters ($0.25/hour vs $5/TB processed)
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not data warehouses-shaped
Choose Azure Synapse if
Analytics service combining data warehousing and big data
- Analytics workspace
- Azure integration
- Good for big data
- Your work is data warehouses-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
| Feature | Amazon Redshift | Azure Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 16 reviews | ★4.3/5 147 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses | Data WarehousesBig Data Analytics |
In-Depth Analysis
Amazon Redshift
Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS
Strengths
- +Deep AWS integration
- +Mature and proven
- +Serverless option
- +Cost-effective for AWS users
- +Strong SQL support
Weaknesses
- -AWS lock-in
- -Complex pricing
- -Cluster management (provisioned)
- -Slower than newer alternatives
Key features
Azure Synapse
Analytics service combining data warehousing and big data
Strengths
- +Analytics workspace
- +Azure integration
- +Good for big data
- +Active development
- +Good features
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing
- -Azure dependency
- -Learning curve
- -Feature complexity
- -Expensive at scale
Key features
Pricing: Amazon Redshift vs Azure Synapse
| Plan | Amazon Redshift | Azure Synapse |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free Trial | $5 /TB processed Serverless SQL |
| Tier 2 | $0.25 hour Provisioned | Varies Dedicated SQL |
| Tier 3 | Variable Serverless | Varies Apache Spark |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Amazon Redshift pricing and Azure Synapse pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Amazon Redshift
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Amazon Redshift is a data & databases tool. Azure Synapse is in data warehouses. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Amazon Redshift
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.3/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Azure Synapse
- Larger review base (147 reviews)
- Better fit for data warehouses
The Bottom Line
Amazon Redshift is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon Redshift or Azure Synapse better?
Amazon Redshift is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Amazon Redshift and Azure Synapse used for?
Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS. Azure Synapse: Analytics service combining data warehousing and big data.
What does Amazon Redshift cost vs Azure Synapse?
Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Azure Synapse is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.