Amazon Web Services (AWS):

1. Provider: AWS is provided by Amazon.com, Inc., one of the world’s largest e-commerce and technology companies.
2. Services: AWS offers a comprehensive range of cloud services, including computing, storage, databases, machine learning, analytics, content delivery, IoT, and more.
3. Global Reach: AWS has a global network of data centers (regions and availability zones) in various geographic locations, allowing customers to deploy resources close to their end-users.
4. Market Share: AWS has been a market leader in the cloud industry for a longer time and holds a significant share of the market.
5. Pricing: AWS offers a flexible pricing model with various pricing options, including on-demand, reserved instances, and spot instances. Pricing can be complex but allows for cost optimization.

Microsoft Azure:

1. Provider: Azure is provided by Microsoft Corporation, a multinational technology company known for its Windows operating system and software products.
2. Services: Azure offers a wide range of cloud services, similar to AWS, including virtual machines, databases, AI, IoT, analytics, and more.
3. Global Reach: Azure also has a global network of data centers in regions and availability zones, providing a worldwide presence for customers.
4. Market Share: Azure has been growing rapidly and is considered one of the top cloud providers, competing closely with AWS in terms of market share.
5. Pricing: Azure offers competitive pricing and provides various pricing models, including pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot instances. Azure’s pricing is designed to be more straightforward and predictable.

Key Differences:

1. Provider Background: AWS is offered by Amazon, a leading e-commerce and cloud services provider, while Azure is provided by Microsoft, known for its software products and enterprise solutions.

2. Service Portfolio: Both AWS and Azure offer a broad range of services, but some customers may prefer one provider over the other based on specific service offerings, expertise, or integration with existing Microsoft or Amazon technologies.

3. Pricing Model: AWS and Azure have different pricing models and cost structures, so customers should carefully analyze pricing to determine the best fit for their workloads.

4. Market Presence: AWS has a longer history in the cloud market and is often chosen by startups and enterprises alike. Azure has gained popularity, particularly in enterprises that already use Microsoft technologies.

5. Integration: Organizations may choose Azure if they heavily rely on Microsoft software and services like Windows Server, Active Directory, or Office 365, as Azure provides tight integration with these products.