Tech Matchups: AWS Global Accelerator vs Regional ALB
Overview
AWS Global Accelerator improves global application performance by routing TCP/UDP traffic through AWS’s edge locations using static anycast IPs.
Regional Application Load Balancer (ALB) distributes HTTP/HTTPS traffic within a single AWS region, providing advanced routing and application-layer features.
Both enhance application delivery: Global Accelerator for global low-latency, Regional ALB for regional application logic.
Section 1 - Traffic Routing and Scope
Global Accelerator routes traffic globally via edge locations—e.g., directing a user in Asia to an endpoint in ap-southeast-1 using static anycast IPs. Supports TCP/UDP and multi-region endpoints.
Regional ALB operates within a single region—e.g., balancing HTTP traffic across EC2 instances in us-east-1. Handles Layer 7 routing, such as path-based rules.
Scenario: Global Accelerator for a multi-region gaming app; Regional ALB for a regional e-commerce site.
Section 2 - Performance and Features
Global Accelerator optimizes latency by leveraging AWS’s private network—e.g., reducing latency from 100ms to 40ms for a European user. Offers health checks, failover, and client IP preservation.
Regional ALB provides advanced Layer 7 features—e.g., WebSocket support, sticky sessions, and WAF integration. Latency depends on regional proximity (e.g., ~20ms within us-east-1).
Scenario: Global Accelerator ensures low-latency IoT traffic; Regional ALB handles complex API routing. Global Accelerator prioritizes speed; ALB prioritizes logic.
Section 3 - Cost and Scalability
Global Accelerator charges per accelerator-hour ($0.025 in us-east-1) and data transfer ($0.025/GB). Example: 1TB/month costs ~$111 ($36 hourly + $75 data).
Regional ALB charges per hour ($0.0225) and LCU usage (~$0.008 per LCU-hour). Example: 1TB/month with moderate LCUs costs ~$36 (hourly + LCU). Data transfer adds $0.09/GB (~$92.40).
Global Accelerator scales globally to millions of connections; ALB scales within a region to thousands of targets.
Scenario: Global Accelerator for global apps; Regional ALB for regional high-traffic sites.
Section 4 - Use Case Scenarios
Global Accelerator suits latency-sensitive, multi-region apps—e.g., real-time analytics or VoIP services requiring consistent global performance.
Regional ALB fits HTTP/HTTPS apps in a single region—e.g., a content management system with path-based routing and WAF protection.
Scenario: Global Accelerator for a global fintech platform; Regional ALB for a regional blog.
Section 5 - Comparison Table
| Aspect | Global Accelerator | Regional ALB |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Global | Regional |
| Protocols | TCP/UDP | HTTP/HTTPS |
| Cost | Hourly + Data | Hourly + LCU + Data |
| Features | Low Latency, Failover | Path Routing, WAF |
| Best For | Multi-Region Apps | Regional Web Apps |
Global Accelerator for global performance, Regional ALB for regional control. Use both for optimal delivery.
Conclusion
AWS Global Accelerator and Regional ALB serve distinct roles in application delivery. Global Accelerator enhances global performance for TCP/UDP traffic, ideal for multi-region, latency-sensitive apps. Regional ALB provides advanced HTTP/HTTPS routing within a region, perfect for web applications with complex logic.
Weigh scope (global vs. regional), protocols (TCP vs. HTTP), and features (latency vs. routing). Use Global Accelerator for global apps, Regional ALB for regional services—or combine: Global Accelerator for global routing, ALB for regional load balancing.