Database

AWS Aurora

Amazon Aurora is a MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud. Up to 5x throughput of standard MySQL and 3x of PostgreSQL.

41 Compliance Frameworks → AWS CLI Library → Database Security Guide →

What is Aurora? (Simple Explanation)

Aurora is an AWS service in the Database category. Amazon Aurora is a MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud.

When Would You Use Aurora?

  • High-performance web applications
  • SaaS multi-tenant databases
  • Enterprise application data stores
  • Gaming and mobile backends

Who Uses Aurora?

From startups to enterprises, Aurora powers:

StartupsMid-size CompaniesLarge EnterprisesGovernmentNonprofits

What Makes Aurora Powerful

Up to 15 read replicas with sub-10ms lag
Aurora Serverless v2 for instant scaling
Global Database for multi-region deployments
Backtrack for point-in-time rewind
Automatic failover to replica in <30 seconds

Aurora Pricing & Free Tier

Free Tier: 750 hours/month of db.t2.micro (12 months), 20GB storage, 20GB backup. Pay-as-you-go from ~$0.017/hour.

Check latest pricing on AWS →

Aurora Best Practices

  1. 1Enable Multi-AZ deployment for production workloads
  2. 2Encrypt at rest with KMS — all RDS/DynamoDB engines support it
  3. 3Set up automated backups with at least 7-day retention
  4. 4Use IAM database authentication instead of passwords where possible
  5. 5Monitor with Performance Insights and set CloudWatch alarms on CPU >80%

Getting Started with Aurora in 5 Minutes

  1. 1Open the AWS Console and navigate to Aurora
  2. 2Click "Create database" and choose your engine (or go serverless)
  3. 3Configure instance size, storage, and Multi-AZ deployment
  4. 4Set master username/password (use Secrets Manager for production) and click "Create"

Aurora CLI Quick Reference

2 production-ready commands. Full CLI Library (225+ services) →

aws rds helpView all Aurora CLI v2 commands and subcommands
aws rds describe-aurora --helpView options for describing Aurora resources

Pros & Cons of Aurora

Pros

  • Up to 15 read replicas with sub-10ms lag
  • Aurora Serverless v2 for instant scaling
  • Global Database for multi-region deployments
  • Backtrack for point-in-time rewind
  • Automatic failover to replica in <30 seconds

Cons

  • ✕Managed databases cost more than self-hosted for predictable, steady workloads
  • ✕Cold starts on serverless databases (Aurora Serverless) can impact latency-sensitive apps
  • ✕Vendor lock-in risk — migrating large databases out of AWS is non-trivial

Aurora vs Alternatives

Aurora vs RDS
Choose Aurora when

Choose Aurora for High-performance web applications and SaaS multi-tenant databases. It excels at up to 15 read replicas with sub-10ms lag.

Choose RDS when

Choose RDS as an alternative when your requirements differ. Each service in the Database category serves different architectural patterns.

Services That Work with Aurora

Aurora is rarely used alone. It is typically combined with:

RDSEC2LambdaCloudWatchKMS

Compliance & Security

How AWS Aurora fits into major compliance standards. Browse all 41 frameworks →

CIS AWS v3.0

Aurora configuration is audited by CIS Benchmarks v1.5–v3.0 for secure cloud defaults.

NIST 800-53

Aurora access controls, encryption, and audit logging map to NIST 800-53 AC, SC, and AU control families.

PCI DSS 4.0

Aurora encryption, access control, and logging support PCI DSS for cardholder data environments.

SOC 2

Aurora security, availability, and confidentiality controls evaluated under SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria.

ISO 27001

Aurora configuration and monitoring controls map to ISO 27001 Annex A information security management.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aurora

What is AWS Aurora?

Amazon Aurora is a MySQL and PostgreSQL-compatible relational database built for the cloud. Up to 5x throughput of standard MySQL and 3x of PostgreSQL.

What is Aurora used for?

Aurora is commonly used for: High-performance web applications; SaaS multi-tenant databases; Enterprise application data stores; Gaming and mobile backends. It's a core service in the database category of AWS.

Is Aurora free?

Free Tier: 750 hours/month of db.t2.micro (12 months), 20GB storage, 20GB backup. Pay-as-you-go from ~$0.017/hour.

What are the key features of Aurora?

Aurora's most important capabilities include: Up to 15 read replicas with sub-10ms lag. Aurora Serverless v2 for instant scaling. Global Database for multi-region deployments. Backtrack for point-in-time rewind. Automatic failover to replica in <30 seconds. Each of these is designed to help teams high-performance web applications.

How does Aurora compare to alternatives?

Aurora competes with both AWS-native alternatives (RDS, EC2, Lambda) and third-party equivalents. The right choice depends on your specific requirements for scalability, cost, and operational overhead. See the comparisons section below for detailed guidance.

Which compliance frameworks apply to Aurora?

CIS AWS v3.0: Aurora configuration is audited by CIS Benchmarks v1.5–v3.0 for secure cloud defaults. NIST 800-53: Aurora access controls, encryption, and audit logging map to NIST 800-53 AC, SC, and AU control families. PCI DSS 4.0: Aurora encryption, access control, and logging support PCI DSS for cardholder data environments. SOC 2: Aurora security, availability, and confidentiality controls evaluated under SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria. ISO 27001: Aurora configuration and monitoring controls map to ISO 27001 Annex A information security management.

People also search for

AWS Aurora tutorialAurora getting startedAurora best practicesAurora pricingAurora free tierwhat is AuroraAurora vsAurora documentationAurora cheat sheetAurora vs AuroraAurora vs DynamoDBAurora backupAurora Multi-AZAurora performance tuningAurora migration tool

Was this page helpful?

Ready to secure your Aurora configuration?

Pavora continuously monitors your AWS Aurora for misconfigurations, compliance violations, and security risks.

Get StartedBrowse All Services