Getting Started with Containers on AWS: ECS vs EKS vs Fargate

If you’ve been working in DevOps or cloud lately, you’ve probably heard a lot about containers — and for good reason. They’ve become the go-to way to package and deploy applications quickly, reliably, and consistently across environments.

But once you’re ready to run containers in the cloud, the next question is: “Which AWS service should I use? ECS? EKS? Or Fargate?”

I had the same question when I first got started — so I decided to break it all down in this post, in a way that makes sense whether you're just getting started or exploring deeper container options.

What Are Containers?

Let’s keep it simple. A container is like a mini environment that holds everything your app needs to run — the code, dependencies, libraries, and runtime. Think of it as a lightweight box that runs the same, no matter where you put it — your laptop, a server, or the cloud.

Docker is the most popular tool to create these containers. It makes things super efficient, especially in DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines.

Containers on AWS

AWS offers three major services to run containers. Each one is powerful in its own way, and they cater to different use cases. Here’s a quick look:

1. Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service)

ECS is AWS’s own container orchestration service. It's fully managed, easy to set up, and integrates smoothly with the rest of the AWS ecosystem. Choose if :

• New to containers

• Already using AWS services

• Want a quick and simple setup

You can run ECS using your own EC2 instances, or go serverless with Fargate (more on that in a second).

2. Amazon EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service)

EKS is a managed version of Kubernetes, the most widely used container orchestration platform.Choose ECS if :

• You already know Kubernetes

• You want more control and flexibility

• You’re building complex or hybrid/multi-cloud systems

EKS is powerful, but it also has a steeper learning curve than ECS — especially if you're new to Kubernetes .

3. AWS Fargate

Fargate is the magic sauce that lets you run containers without managing any servers at all. No EC2. No worrying about provisioning or scaling infrastructure. Just define your container, and AWS handles the rest. Choose if :

• You don’t want to manage servers or clusters

• You need something quick and scalable

• You want to stay truly serverless

Fargate works with both ECS and EKS — so you can pair it with the service that fits your app.

ECS vs EKS vs Fargate: Quick Comparison

Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s the short version:

• Go with ECS if you want something AWS-native and easy to manage.

• Go with EKS if you’re experienced with Kubernetes or need more flexibility.

• Use Fargate if you don’t want to manage servers and just want to run containers.

If you're just getting started, my advice?
Start with ECS + Fargate. It's beginner-friendly, and you can always evolve from there.

Are you already using containers on AWS? Or just getting started?
I’d love to hear what you’re working on — drop a comment or connect with me here on Hashnode or LinkedIn.

Thanks for reading!
Let’s keep building cool things with cloud and containers.