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EKS vs ECS

Both AWS EKS and AWS ECS are container orchestration services provided by AWS, but they differ in underlying architecture, flexibility, operational complexity, and use cases. Below is a detailed comparison.

Core Concepts

FeatureEKSECS
DefinitionManaged Kubernetes service that allows you to run Kubernetes clusters on AWS.AWS’s native container orchestration service that does not require Kubernetes.
Underlying TechnologyKubernetes (open-source container orchestration system).AWS-proprietary orchestration platform (no Kubernetes).
Launch TypesSupports both Fargate and EC2-backed worker nodes.Supports both Fargate and EC2-backed container instances.

Similarities

  • Container Management Both EKS and ECS are designed to run and manage containers at scale. They enable deployment, scaling, and management of containerised applications.

  • Support for AWS Compute Options Both support EC2 instances (traditional VM-backed workloads) and AWS Fargate (serverless compute for containers).

  • Service Integration Both integrate well with other AWS services like IAM, CloudWatch, Secrets Manager, VPC, Load Balancers, and Auto Scaling.

  • Use of Docker Both support containers built with Docker or any other OCI-compliant container runtime.

  • High Availability Both offer managed, high-availability control planes with integrations to multi-AZ for resiliency.

Key Differences

FeatureEKSECS
Orchestration PlatformUses Kubernetes (an open-source standard).Proprietary to AWS, tightly integrated with AWS services.
ComplexityRequires Kubernetes expertise and management.Simpler to use, no Kubernetes knowledge needed.
CustomizabilityHighly customizable (e.g., custom schedulers, custom networking).Less customisable; AWS manages the orchestration.
EcosystemAccess to the Kubernetes ecosystem and community (e.g., Helm, Istio).Limited to AWS-native ecosystem.
NetworkingAdvanced networking features via Kubernetes, including CNI plugins and custom ingress.Simpler networking options managed directly by AWS.
PortabilityVendor-neutral (Kubernetes can run on any platform).Vendor lock-in (AWS-only service).
Use CaseBest for workloads requiring Kubernetes-specific features or multi-cloud/hybrid cloud setups.Best for AWS-only deployments or teams that want simplicity.
PricingAdditional cost for EKS control plane ($0.10/ hour).No extra cost for ECS (you pay for the resources used).
ScalingKubernetes-native scaling (Horizontal Pod Autoscaler).Simplified ECS-native auto-scaling or Fargate scaling.
CommunityKubernetes has a large, active open-source community.AWS maintains ECS; smaller user base compared to Kubernetes.

When to Use AWS EKS

  • Use Cases:

    • You need Kubernetes-specific features like custom schedulers, CRDs (Custom Resource Definitions), or advanced networking.
    • You are running Kubernetes in a multi-cloud or hybrid environment and want to use a consistent platform across clouds.
    • Your team already has expertise in Kubernetes and wants access to the broader Kubernetes ecosystem (e.g., Helm charts, Istio, etc.).
    • You have complex workloads that benefit from Kubernetes features like namespaces, custom controllers, and fine-grained resource management.
  • Pros:

    • Kubernetes is an industry standard, making workloads portable.
    • Access to a large ecosystem of Kubernetes tools.
    • Ideal for hybrid or multi-cloud architectures.
  • Cons:

    • Higher operational complexity (you need to manage Kubernetes concepts like Pods, Services, Deployments, etc.).
    • Additional cost for the EKS control plane.

When to Use AWS ECS

  • Use Cases:

    • You want a simple, tightly integrated AWS-native solution for container orchestration.
    • You are running workloads exclusively on AWS and do not need Kubernetes-specific features.
    • You have a team without Kubernetes experience and need a straightforward container orchestration platform.
    • You prefer a managed solution with minimal operational overhead.
  • Pros:

    • Simple setup and operation.
    • No additional cost for the control plane.
    • Seamless integration with other AWS services.
  • Cons:

    • Vendor lock-in (ECS is AWS-only).
    • Limited flexibility and ecosystem compared to Kubernetes.