Azure Synapse vs Amazon Redshift: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Azure Synapse and Amazon Redshift 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:
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
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
| At a Glance |  Amazon Redshift | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/TB processedServerless SQL | $0.25/hourProvisioned |
Best For | Data Warehouses | Data & Databases |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Azure Synapse or Amazon Redshift?
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
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
| Feature | Azure Synapse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.3/5 147 reviews | ★4.4/5 16 reviews |
| Categories | Data WarehousesBig Data Analytics | Data & DatabasesData Warehouses |
In-Depth Analysis
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
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
Pricing: Azure Synapse vs Amazon Redshift
| Plan | Azure Synapse | Amazon Redshift |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5 /TB processed Serverless SQL | Free Free Trial |
| Tier 2 | Varies Dedicated SQL | $0.25 hour Provisioned |
| Tier 3 | Varies Apache Spark | Variable Serverless |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Azure Synapse pricing and Amazon Redshift 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: Azure Synapse
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?
Azure Synapse is a data warehouses tool. Amazon Redshift is in data & databases. 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 Azure Synapse or Amazon Redshift better?
Amazon Redshift is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Azure Synapse and Amazon Redshift used for?
Azure Synapse: Analytics service combining data warehousing and big data. Amazon Redshift: Petabyte-scale data warehouse on AWS.
What does Azure Synapse cost vs Amazon Redshift?
Azure Synapse is a paid tool. Amazon Redshift is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.