Azure NetApp Files vs Amazon FSx for Windows File Server

Azure NetApp Files9.1Visit Amazon FSx for Windows File Server8.8Visit

Higher score Azure NetApp Files #4 in Cloud File Storage Services 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit site

vs

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server #7 in Cloud File Storage Services 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Amazon FSx

• Azure NetApp Files fits best

  Azure enterprise file volumes

• Amazon FSx for Windows File Server fits best

  Low-cost Windows-compatible file shares

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Side by side

Feature	Azure NetApp Files 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Amazon FSx for Windows File Server 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#4 in Cloud File Storage Services	#7 in Cloud File Storage Services
Best for	Azure enterprise file volumes	Low-cost Windows-compatible file shares
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$0.01/GB/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Tickets, Community, Docs	Docs, Community
Integrations	6 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure NetApp Files 2/2 · Amazon FSx for Windows File Server 2/2
Snapshots	✓	✓
Managed backups	✓	✓
Specs
Supported protocols	NFS, SMB, dual protocol, Object REST API	SMB
Maximum capacity	Not checked yet	64 TB
Availability zones	Not checked yet	1 zones
Scaling model	Provisioned	Provisioned
Our review
Pros	Supports NFS, SMB, and dual-protocol file volumes Offers snapshots, cloning, backups, replication, and tiering Connects with Azure analytics, AI, Kubernetes, and VMware services	SMB access with Microsoft Active Directory integration Daily and on-demand backups plus Windows shadow copies AWS integrations including Backup, CloudWatch, and CloudFormation
Cons	Provisioned capacity and throughput require configuration planning The service has no free plan Elastic Storage is listed as a preview service	Core protocol coverage is limited to SMB The entry plan uses Single-AZ HDD storage Pricing varies with region, deployment, capacity, and data transfer
Our verdict	Azure NetApp Files is a managed cloud file storage service for Azure workloads that need shared, high-performance file access. It supports NFS, SMB, dual-protocol volumes, and an Object REST API, making it suitable for enterprise file… Read the review →	Amazon FSx for Windows File Server is a fully managed cloud file system for shared Windows-compatible storage in AWS. It serves Windows applications, Linux and macOS clients, and AWS services over SMB. Its fit is strongest for business… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Azure NetApp Files — where it wins

  • Supports NFS, SMB, and dual-protocol file volumes
  • Offers snapshots, cloning, backups, replication, and tiering
  • Connects with Azure analytics, AI, Kubernetes, and VMware services

  Where it doesn't

  • Provisioned capacity and throughput require configuration planning
  • The service has no free plan
  • Elastic Storage is listed as a preview service

• Amazon FSx for Windows File Server — where it wins

  • SMB access with Microsoft Active Directory integration
  • Daily and on-demand backups plus Windows shadow copies
  • AWS integrations including Backup, CloudWatch, and CloudFormation

  Where it doesn't

  • Core protocol coverage is limited to SMB
  • The entry plan uses Single-AZ HDD storage
  • Pricing varies with region, deployment, capacity, and data transfer

• Azure NetApp Files9.1/10 · Paid

  A configurable Azure file service for enterprise workloads needing shared file access.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Amazon FSx for Windows File Server8.8/10 · Paid

  A low-cost AWS file share for Windows workloads that need SMB and Active Directory.

  Visit Amazon FSxFull verdict →