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For traffic from workloads contained in one VPC and Region, a gateway endpoint is usually the straightforward choice for Amazon S3 or DynamoDB: it directs service traffic through VPC route tables and adds no endpoint fee. Choose an interface endpoint when you need a PrivateLink connection to another supported AWS service, or when S3 or DynamoDB access must extend beyond the gateway endpoint’s reach, such as to on-premises networks. Interface endpoints use private IP addresses and incur hourly per-AZ and per-GB charges.
Both endpoint types can avoid requiring an internet gateway or NAT device for the service path. That does not mean every request to an AWS public service endpoint travels over the public internet: AWS says some such traffic can pass through an internet gateway while remaining on the AWS network.
How gateway and interface endpoints direct traffic
Gateway endpoints: route-table targets for S3 and DynamoDB
A gateway endpoint adds a route to selected VPC route tables for traffic to Amazon S3 or DynamoDB. Instances use that route to reach the service without an internet gateway or NAT device on this path. AWS documents no additional charge for using a gateway endpoint; standard service and applicable data-transfer charges still apply. AWS gateway endpoints for Amazon S3 and AWS gateway endpoints for DynamoDB.
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Interface endpoints: PrivateLink network interfaces
An interface endpoint creates one or more endpoint network interfaces in selected subnets. Each has a private IP address, and supported service requests can resolve through DNS to those addresses. The connection uses AWS PrivateLink and remains on the AWS network. Interface endpoints cover many PrivateLink-integrated AWS services, but service and Region availability varies; check AWS’s current list of services that support AWS PrivateLink before choosing one.
For S3 and DynamoDB, AWS offers both endpoint types. Interface endpoints are useful when gateway endpoint reach is insufficient, but they carry hourly charges for each enabled Availability Zone and per-GB data-processing charges. AWS PrivateLink access to AWS services.
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Which endpoint fits the traffic path?
| Decision | Gateway endpoint | Interface endpoint |
|---|---|---|
| How traffic is directed | Route-table entry for S3 or DynamoDB service traffic. | Private IPs on endpoint network interfaces; DNS can direct supported service requests to them. |
| Service scope | Amazon S3 and DynamoDB. | PrivateLink-integrated services; availability depends on service and Region. |
| Reach | VPC-local path; not for on-premises networks, peered VPCs in another Region, or traffic through a transit gateway. | Broader private access; for S3, AWS documents on-premises and connected-VPC use cases. |
| Endpoint charges | No additional endpoint charge. | Hourly per provisioned Availability Zone and per GB processed. |
| Network path | Stays on AWS’s network; the endpoint path does not require an internet gateway or NAT. | Uses private endpoint addresses and stays on AWS’s network. |
Use a gateway endpoint for contained VPC workloads
If the workload is in a VPC and needs same-Region S3 or DynamoDB access, a gateway endpoint is generally the simplest and lowest-cost endpoint option. AWS recommends gateway endpoints for workloads contained within one AWS account and Region. The endpoint does not extend that route to on-premises networks, a peered VPC in another Region, or traffic traversing a transit gateway. AWS guidance for S3 gateway endpoints.
Use an interface endpoint when reach or service support calls for it
Consider an interface endpoint when clients outside the VPC need private access, when the target service is available through PrivateLink but has no gateway endpoint, or when a service-specific design requires interface endpoints. For S3, AWS documents interface endpoints for access from on-premises networks and connected VPC scenarios. This added reach comes with endpoint and data-processing charges.
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Does a VPC endpoint keep AWS traffic off the internet?
It is more precise to say that an endpoint provides a private service path that does not require an internet gateway or NAT device for that traffic. Avoid treating “public AWS service endpoint” as synonymous with “public internet.” AWS explains that traffic to a public service endpoint can pass through a NAT gateway and internet gateway and still remain on the AWS network; traversing an internet gateway does not by itself mean the traffic leaves AWS. AWS PrivateLink documentation.
With an interface endpoint, supported requests can resolve to the endpoint interfaces’ private IP addresses and use the endpoint connection. A VPC endpoint establishes connectivity; it does not alone guarantee a complete security boundary. Routing, DNS, authorization policies, and network controls still need to match the design.
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How S3 DNS affects gateway and interface endpoint choice
S3 gateway and interface endpoints can coexist in the same VPC. However, private DNS configuration can affect which path VPC-originated requests take. If those requests resolve to the interface endpoint, they can use the billed interface path rather than the no-additional-charge gateway endpoint. AWS documents a split design in which on-premises requests use the interface endpoint while VPC requests use the gateway endpoint. AWS guidance for S3 interface endpoints and private DNS.
- Choose the intended path by origin. Decide whether VPC clients, on-premises clients, or both should reach S3 through the interface endpoint.
- Configure endpoint and DNS settings for that split. Follow AWS’s S3 interface endpoint guidance for private DNS and gateway endpoint coexistence; do not assume that creating a gateway endpoint automatically makes every request use it.
- Verify resolution and routing from each client location. Confirm that VPC requests use the intended gateway or interface path and that on-premises requests resolve and connect as designed.
- Test application reconnect behavior. AWS notes that endpoint configuration changes can alter routes and disconnect open TCP connections. Schedule and test changes accordingly, especially for long-lived or operationally sensitive connections.
Endpoint access controls do not replace service authorization
An endpoint provides a network path, not permission for a principal to call the service. Apply least-privilege IAM and service resource policies alongside endpoint policies. For S3, a bucket policy can restrict requests to a specified VPC endpoint using the aws:sourceVpce condition. When S3 requests traverse a VPC endpoint, AWS says aws:SourceIp is not the appropriate condition for identity or bucket policies; consider aws:VpcSourceIp or route controls as appropriate. AWS endpoint policies and AWS S3 gateway endpoint considerations.
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- For gateway endpoint traffic, check that instance security groups and subnet network ACLs allow the required service traffic.
- For interface endpoints, configure endpoint security groups to permit the intended client traffic, and retain service authorization checks.
- If an S3 bucket policy requires a particular endpoint, account for legitimate console and service access patterns. AWS warns that endpoint-only restrictions can block console access for the specified actions.
What endpoint costs to include
Gateway endpoints have no additional endpoint fee. Interface endpoint costs include hourly charges for each Availability Zone where an endpoint is provisioned and charges for data processed per GB. AWS notes that interface endpoints can cost less than equivalent NAT Gateway routing in some cases, but there is no universal crossover: the result depends on Region, Availability Zone layout, traffic volume, and current rates. Compare current regional rates against expected traffic and the number of endpoint AZs before choosing. AWS PrivateLink pricing.
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