EBS vs EFS vs Instance Store

Gedion DanielGedion Daniel
2 min read

When choosing between EBS, EFS, and Instance Store in AWS, it's essential to understand how each type of storage is unique. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

FeatureEBS (Elastic Block Store)EFS (Elastic File System)Instance Store
Type of StorageBlock-levelFile-levelLocal disk (attached directly)
Data PersistenceYes (Data is persistent even if instance is stopped)Yes (Data persists with automatic replication)No (Data is lost if instance stops or is terminated)
Shared AccessNo (Only one instance can access at a time)Yes (Multiple instances can access the same data)No (Only available to the instance it's attached to)
Ideal Use CaseDatabases, applications needing fast I/OShared files for web servers, analytics, shared storageTemporary data like cache, buffers, and logs
ScalabilityFixed size (requires resizing to scale)Automatic scaling based on usageFixed size (defined by instance type)
Backup OptionsSnapshots for backup and recoveryAutomatic backups and data replicationNone (data is temporary)
PerformanceHigh IOPS, low latency for database tasksScalable, but not as high-speed as EBSHigh speed for temporary use cases

Summary

  • EBS is best for applications that need reliable, block-level storage with persistent data, such as databases.

  • EFS is ideal if you need a shared file system accessible by multiple instances, perfect for shared data storage across instances.

  • Instance Store offers temporary, high-speed storage directly connected to the instance, best for data that doesn’t need to persist after the instance stops.

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Written by

Gedion Daniel
Gedion Daniel

I am a Software Developer from Italy.