Lambda vs Azure Functions vs Cloud Functions — Serverless Compared
Compare AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions for serverless computing. Pricing, limits, and use cases.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AWS Lambda | Azure Functions | Google Cloud Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 1M requests/mo | 1M requests/mo | 2M invocations/mo |
| Max timeout | 15 minutes | Unlimited (Premium) | 60 minutes (2nd gen) |
| Concurrency | 1 per instance | Configurable | Up to 1000 (2nd gen) |
| Container support | Yes (up to 10GB) | Yes | Yes (2nd gen via Cloud Run) |
| Stateful workflows | Step Functions (separate) | Durable Functions (built-in) | Workflows (separate) |
Service Details
AWS Lambda
The original serverless compute platform. Deepest AWS integration, largest runtime selection, and the most mature event source ecosystem.
- Most event sources (200+)
- SnapStart for Java cold starts
- Graviton2 ARM support (20% cheaper)
- Container image support (up to 10GB)
- 15-minute execution limit
- Cold starts for VPC-attached functions
- Pricing complexity at scale
Azure Functions
Microsoft's serverless platform with flexible hosting options. Unique Durable Functions for stateful orchestration and long-running workflows.
- Durable Functions for stateful orchestration
- Multiple hosting plans (consumption, premium, dedicated)
- Strong .NET integration
- No execution time limit on Premium plan
- Cold starts on Consumption plan
- Linux support less mature than Windows
- Fewer event sources than Lambda
Google Cloud Functions
GCP's serverless compute with 2nd gen (Cloud Run-based) offering improved concurrency and longer timeouts.
- 2nd gen runs on Cloud Run (full concurrency)
- Generous free tier (2M invocations)
- Simple, clean developer experience
- Up to 60-minute timeout (2nd gen)
- Smaller ecosystem than Lambda
- Fewer supported runtimes
- Less mature monitoring/tracing
When to Use Which
Choose Lambda for the broadest ecosystem and deepest AWS integration. Choose Azure Functions for .NET workloads and Durable Functions orchestration. Choose Cloud Functions 2nd gen for the best concurrency model and generous free tier.
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