Comparing the Performance and Cost of Different Cloud Service Providers for Small Applications: A Comparison between AWS and Azure

This study assesses the performance and cost-effectiveness of Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for small-scale applications. As cloud computing becomes integral for developers and small businesses, this research provides detailed insights to help stakeholders select optimal cloud providers based on critical metrics, including CPU performance, memory usage, and pricing models. By conducting comprehensive performance evaluations under diverse scenarios and analyzing various pricing options—such as pay-as-you-go, reserved, and spot instances—this paper establishes a framework for maximizing cloud investments. The findings offer actionable guidance to stakeholders, enabling small businesses to make informed, scalable, and financially sound decisions regarding cloud infrastructure.