Amazon Aurora Product Guide
Interested in discovering how Amazon Aurora really performs? This product guide was compiled from real user reviews and lays out how the product performs for them. Get an accurate picture of Amazon Aurora from those who know it best.
Highlight the Right Reviews
Throughout the guide below, there are links directly to reviews. Select the reviewers most relevant to you, and those links will be highlighted in blue.
Table of Contents
Database Essentials
Database Management
Users generally praise Amazon Aurora’s database management capabilities, highlighting its efficiency, ease of use, and automation features. They appreciate the ability to start and stop databases on demand, which helps in cost-saving measures. Additionally, users find the database administration to be more streamlined and efficient, reducing the need for extensive manual intervention. The high uptime and reliability of Amazon Aurora’s database service are also noted positively by users, contributing to a smooth operational experience. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Database administration is a lot more efficient. No longer need a DBA to perform basic actions.” – Analyst in Information Technology, Oil & Energy, 10,001+ employees
“I really like Amazon Aurora for use as a db for an instance of WordPress. I think the performance is really good especially when you use it in a transactional use case.” – Manager in Engineering, Computer & Network Security, 501-1000 employees
“Sometimes logical errors occur which is annoying in nature.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
MySQL and PostgreSQL Compatibility
Reviewers’ opinions on Amazon Aurora’s MySQL and PostgreSQL compatibility are varied. While some users appreciate the ease of managing databases and the high performance offered by Aurora, others express concerns about limited support for non-SQL/PostgreSQL engines and potential complexities in cross-region replication. The compatibility with MySQL and PostgreSQL engines is generally seen as a strong point, but there are also mentions of specific limitations and challenges, such as slow upgrades to minor releases and storage scaling limitations. It appears that the overall sentiment leans towards positive regarding Amazon Aurora’s compatibility with MySQL and PostgreSQL, with users acknowledging its benefits while also highlighting areas for improvement. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“I think Amazon Aurora is well suited for migrating on-premise MySQL databases to the cloud, or for migrating existing Amazon RDS instances to a platform that’s more suited for concurrency and high throughput applications. In my opinion, it’s not (currently) appropriate for any database engines other than MySQL and PostgreSQL.” – Contributor in Research & Development, Biotechnology, 5001-10,000 employees
“CONS: Limited Availability of Compatibility Versions; Complexity in Cross-Region Replication; Storage Scaling Limitations” – Engineer in Information Technology, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“PROS: Transactional Queries; Storage Scale Up; Higher Performance; Compatibility with Mysql; Super Easy Cluster Mode setup” – C-Level Executive in Research & Development, Internet, 11-50 employees
Relational Database Features
Reviewers generally appreciate Amazon Aurora’s relational database features, highlighting its strong performance in handling transactional queries and structured data storage. However, some users have expressed concerns about the platform’s limitations in handling frequent schema updates efficiently. Despite this, the consensus leans towards the positive side, with users acknowledging the value of Amazon Aurora’s relational database capabilities in enhancing query performance and overall database management experience. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Schema update was challenging, but it is difficult for RDBMS in general reasonable resource for large scale with more defined schema. Users should avoid if your schema updates often.” – Engineer in Engineering, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“Amazon Aurora helps me and my organization to collect and review in the course of analyzing the query performance. It is very persuasive in nature. Even we can write codes using three easy accessible steps and even it stores six backups eventually while writing the codes in their platform.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Amazon Aurora offers a secure database for the functional requirement. The query system is very responsive and generates insightful metrics. The application has an efficient space management feature and is quite capable of storing big chunks of data.” – Professional in Marketing, Education Management, 201-500 employees
Replication and Cloud Services
Replication and Instances
Users generally praise Amazon Aurora’s replication and instances capabilities. They appreciate the ease of setting up replication across clusters, reducing latency and overhead for database administrators. The ability to manage Aurora without specialized DBAs is seen as a significant advantage, allowing for more focus on application-related tasks. The automatic backups, point-in-time restores, and multi-region replication features are highlighted as valuable for data security and disaster recovery. Additionally, the high availability and performance of Aurora’s instances, along with its scalability and automated failover mechanisms, are well-received by users. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Less replication latency across clusters in Global database; Less overhead for DBAs; Anybody can manage Aurora, no need to specialist DBAs.” – Administrator in Engineering, Financial Services, 10,001+ employees
“We used Amazon Aurora to see how to increase the efficiency and learn AWS Services. Amazon Aurora Serverless is an on-demand, autoscaling configuration for Amazon Aurora.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“Amazon does offer two relational database services, namely RDS and Aurora. While both very similar, there are key differences in how they persist data on disk.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 51-200 employees
Managed Database Services
Users generally praise Amazon Aurora’s managed database services capabilities for being fully managed, cost-effective, and highly available in multiple regions. They appreciate the ease of use and the automated backups that reduce the burden on engineering teams. While some users mention limitations in support for non-SQL/PostgreSQL engines and integration with other AWS services, overall, the sentiment leans towards the effectiveness and reliability of Amazon Aurora’s managed database services. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Best thing about Aurora is that it is serverless and relational database. I like it personally because of its performance which is quite impressive and its instances provide us a great experience.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Amazon Aurora is very well suited in situations where the application requires high scalability and has variable and unpredictable workloads. Also, real-time analysis and reporting could be performed easily using Aurora’s read replica feature.” – Employee in Information Technology, Education Management, 11-50 employees
“We currently use Aurora PostgreSQL to manage our real estate agents’ information that allows our agents to schedule clients’ listing appointments. We provide services to MLS across the country, and we managed this particular MLS application in the cloud, which is cost-beneficial for them and easier to manage.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Real Estate, 51-200 employees
Cloud Integration and AWS Services
Reviewers generally praise Amazon Aurora’s cloud integration and AWS services functionality. Users appreciate the ease of integrating Amazon Aurora with other AWS services, which enhances the overall efficiency of their applications. The ability to leverage AWS services like auto-scaling, monitoring, and security features within Amazon Aurora is seen as a significant advantage by users. While some reviewers mention minor limitations in terms of integration with non-AWS services, the consensus leans towards Amazon Aurora’s strong cloud integration capabilities and robust support for AWS services. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Amazon Aurora is very well suited in situations where the application requires high scalability and has variable and unpredictable workloads. Also, real-time analysis and reporting could be performed easily using Aurora’s read replica feature.” – Employee in Information Technology, Education Management, 11-50 employees
“Amazon Aurora is a great product as it provides us with a cloud-native DB that provides MySQL and Postgres compatibility while simultaneously offering all the benefits of a cloud-native product – built-in security, continuous backups, serverless computing, and high integration with other AWS Services.” – Director in Engineering, Management Consulting, 501-1000 employees
“Little less transparent on insights; Non-availability of standalone solutions. I understand amazon aims for cloud based solution. But having a facility with standalone will look great; Lastly, of course pricing could be more dynamic so we can only pay for what we opt for.” – Engineer in Engineering, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
Availability and Scalability
High Availability Solutions
Users consistently highlight Amazon Aurora’s high availability solutions as a key strength, emphasizing its ability to ensure uninterrupted access to databases and minimize downtime. The multi-zone availability and failover capabilities of Aurora are particularly lauded for their contribution to maintaining high performance and reliability. Reviewers appreciate the ease with which Aurora replicates data across multiple regions, enhancing availability and reducing data latency. The platform’s scalability, fault tolerance, and efficient backup and restore features further contribute to its reputation for providing robust high availability solutions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Aurora has a very high availability due to its multi-zone availability as well as its failover capabilities. Amazon replicates its data in multiple regions leading to high availability and low data latency.” – Employee in Information Technology, Education Management, 11-50 employees
“Aurora is designed for high availability. It replicates data across multiple Availability Zones (AZs) within a region, ensuring that even if one AZ experiences a failure, the database remains accessible.” – Engineer in Information Technology, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
“We have had zero issues on our site related to database availability since using Aurora; The availability of our site has been 100% during the last year.” – Consultant in Professional Services, Computer Software, 11-50 employees
Scaling and Scalability
User opinions on Amazon Aurora’s scaling and scalability capabilities vary. Some users praise its ability to effortlessly handle variable workloads and provide high availability through auto-scaling features. They appreciate the ease of scalability and the reduced maintenance efforts required. However, there are also concerns raised about limitations in storage scaling and complexities in certain replication processes. Despite these mixed opinions, Amazon Aurora’s scaling and scalability features continue to be a focal point for many users seeking efficient database management solutions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Very good for auto-scalable web environments with variable loads. Especially in its Aurora Serverless version. It is more expensive than the normal RDS, but it is worth it for the simplicity of scalability.” – Technician in Information Technology, Newspapers, 11-50 employees
“It is one of the best solutions for cloud database service. It lets you run Aurora without having to guess how many compute nodes you need. It automatically starts and stops nodes to match the needs of your applications and autoscaling is so easy.” – Engineer in Quality Assurance, Health, Wellness and Fitness, 10,001+ employees
“CONS: Limited Availability of Compatibility Versions; Complexity in Cross-Region Replication; Storage Scaling Limitations” – Engineer in Information Technology, Computer Software, 10,001+ employees
Cost-Effective Scaling Options
Users appreciate Amazon Aurora’s cost-effective scaling options for their ability to efficiently handle data growth while keeping expenses in check. The platform’s scalability features enable businesses to expand their operations without incurring significant additional costs, making it a popular choice among cost-conscious users. The consensus among reviewers is that Amazon Aurora’s cost-effective scaling options contribute positively to its overall value proposition, allowing for flexible and budget-friendly growth opportunities. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
“Low administration cost.; Development time becomes faster.; Provide better visibility and scalability.; The Main is cost effective.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Simple to setup and configure; Add additional replicas if needed; Cost effective” – Engineer in Information Technology, Real Estate, 51-200 employees
“This is a cost-effective software for large data handlers who find difficulty in placing their data in a confidential manner, this provides almost everything which one needs for powerful data handling software.” – Executive in Marketing, Computer Games, 1-10 employees
Data Management and Security
Backup and Recovery
Users generally praise Amazon Aurora’s backup and recovery capabilities. They appreciate the ease of automated backups and the efficiency of point-in-time recovery, which ensures data integrity and minimizes downtime in case of system failures. The ability to restore data quickly and accurately is a key feature that users find valuable for maintaining the reliability and security of their databases. Additionally, the continuous backups provided by Amazon Aurora offer peace of mind to users, allowing them to focus on their core objectives without worrying about data loss or disruptions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Amazon Aurora backs up the cluster volume automatically and retains restore data for the length of the backup retention period. This helps in scenarios where application restore is needed and offers better disaster recovery support.” – Engineer in Quality Assurance, Health, Wellness and Fitness, 10,001+ employees
“Provides continuous backups while other applications are running without causing any interruption in production. Provides built-in security features i.e. encryption at rest and in-transit, making sure that our data is secure both during storage and transmission.” – Employee in Information Technology, Staffing & Recruiting, 51-200 employees
“Aurora provides better and higher availability and durability than other databases as a service provider, as it has the ability to create continuous backups and provide multiple copies of your data.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
Security and Encryption
Reviewers consistently praise Amazon Aurora’s robust security and encryption features. Users highlight the ease of implementing encryption at rest and in transit, ensuring data remains secure both during storage and transmission. The continuous backups provided by Amazon Aurora without interrupting production operations are also highly valued by users. Additionally, the platform’s built-in security measures, such as encryption capabilities, contribute to a sense of trust and dependability among users when handling sensitive information. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
“Provides built-in security features i.e. encryption at rest and in-transit, making sure that our data is secure both during storage and transmission.” – Employee in Information Technology, Staffing & Recruiting, 51-200 employees
“Amazon Aurora provides these services on the front and back end simultaneously while we focus on our objectives.” – Employee in Information Technology, Staffing & Recruiting, 51-200 employees
“In my opinion, database encryption is well defined. It automatically upsizes, upscales the clusters that it provides per database.” – Engineer in Engineering, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Amazon Aurora is characterized by high availability and performance in the cloud that few tools of the same characteristics offer, the cost is initially 10GB for free, but then costs increase but the amount of capacity used, however it can be really low and its use guarantees integrated security.” – Team Lead in Engineering, Architecture & Planning, 10,001+ employees
Database Security and Compliance
Users generally agree that Amazon Aurora excels in database security and compliance features. Reviewers consistently praise the platform for its robust security measures, including encryption at rest and in-transit, continuous backups, and built-in security protocols. The ability to monitor performance metrics and optimize query performance adds to the overall positive sentiment towards Amazon Aurora’s security and compliance capabilities. Users appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing their sensitive data is well-protected and compliant with industry standards. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
“Our day to day work requires the handling of sensitive information day in and day out. That being said – Security and backups are absolutely crucial to the company’s ability to successfully and ethically work. Amazon Aurora provides these services on the front and back end simultaneously while we focus on our objectives.” – Employee in Information Technology, Staffing & Recruiting, 51-200 employees
“The Security provided by Amazon is again top notch because all of the data is encrypted and secured. The customers feel much more relaxed and assured when the project is using Amazon Aurora to host their services.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees
“Positive: High security features; Negative: Lacking interactiveness; Negative: Lags when high input is placed.” – Executive in Marketing, Computer Games, 1-10 employees
Advanced Configurations and Support
Development and Configuration
Users generally praise Amazon Aurora for its development and configuration capabilities. Reviewers highlight the ease of scalability, efficient maintenance, and high SLA that Aurora offers. The platform’s ability to automate upgrades, manage snapshots, and provide serverless support is well-received by users. Additionally, the streamlined configuration sets and auto-expansion of disks contribute to a smoother development process. While some users mention minor issues with configuration settings and documentation, overall, Aurora’s development and configuration features are considered robust and user-friendly. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“The administrators don’t have to worry about disk sizes anymore; Default configuration sets are designed for the majority of the OLTP use-cases.” – Vice-President in Engineering, Computer Software, 501-1000 employees
“Low administration cost; Development time becomes faster; Provide better visibility and scalability; The Main is cost-effective.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 1001-5000 employees
“Some odd or sub-optimal configuration values with some parameters not changeable; No online development experience.” – Consultant in Information Technology, Computer Software, 5001-10,000 employees
Serverless Architectures
User sentiment regarding Amazon Aurora’s serverless architectures capabilities is generally positive, with many reviewers highlighting the ease of use and scalability offered by the serverless configuration. The ability to automatically start up, shut down, and scale capacity based on application needs is particularly praised. Additionally, the cost-saving potential of the serverless option for intermittent or unpredictable workloads is seen as a significant advantage by users. However, some users caution that for high-load applications, Aurora Serverless can be comparatively expensive when compared to a single provisioned Aurora instance. Despite this, the overall consensus leans towards the benefits and efficiency that Amazon Aurora’s serverless architecture brings to the table. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
“Amazon Aurora is a great product as it provides us with a cloud-native DB that provides MySQL and Postgres compatibility while simultaneously offering all the benefits of a cloud-native product – built-in security, continuous backups, serverless computing, and high integration with other AWS Services.” – Director in Engineering, Management Consulting, 501-1000 employees
“For high load apps, Aurora Serverless is extremely expensive as compared to a single provisioned Aurora instance. It’s not obvious to plan database capacity for a year out, so I usually avoid buying reserved instances.” – Engineer in Engineering, Internet, 501-1000 employees
“Amazon Aurora Serverless is an on-demand, autoscaling configuration for Amazon Aurora. It automatically starts up, shuts down, and scales capacity up or down based on your application’s needs. You can run your database in the cloud without managing any database instances.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
Application and Workload Support
Users consistently praise Amazon Aurora’s application and workload support capabilities, highlighting its ability to handle high-traffic web applications with ease. The platform’s scalability and performance optimizations make it a preferred choice for organizations dealing with variable and unpredictable workloads. Users appreciate Aurora’s compatibility with MySQL and PostgreSQL, enabling smooth migration processes and enhanced efficiency in managing complex analytical workloads. Additionally, the platform’s support for read replicas facilitates real-time analysis and reporting, further enhancing its appeal for businesses seeking robust application support. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Online Gaming Platforms, High Traffic Websites – Websites and web applications with heavy traffic loads can benefit from Aurora’s scalability and read/write performance, ensuring responsive user experiences even during peak traffic times.” – Administrator in Professional Services, Computer Software, 11-50 employees
“Aurora well suits for application which is having active-passive setup, and not advisable for active-active applications.” – Administrator in Engineering, Financial Services, 10,001+ employees
“Amazon Aurora is best suited for creating complex, highly available and commercial databases, in a very straightforward way. The database size should be medium to large because only then will you be able to justify the extra cost incurred for using Amazon Aurora.” – Team Lead in Information Technology, Information Technology and Services, 10,001+ employees