Tech Matchups: Azure ExpressRoute vs VPN Gateway
Overview
Imagine your network as a cosmic highway, where connections bridge on-premises and cloud. Azure ExpressRoute, launched in 2014, is the private expressway—a dedicated, low-latency circuit for hybrid connectivity, used by 12% of Azure’s networking customers (2024).
Azure VPN Gateway, introduced in 2013, is the secure tunnel—a cost-effective, encrypted VPN for site-to-site connectivity, powering 20% of Azure’s hybrid workloads.
Both are networking titans, but their approaches differ: ExpressRoute offers private performance, while VPN Gateway provides flexible encryption. They’re vital for hybrid apps, from ERP to backups, balancing speed with cost.
Section 1 - Network Setup and Configuration
ExpressRoute creates circuits—example: provision a circuit:
VPN Gateway configures tunnels—example: create a gateway:
ExpressRoute uses private peering with MPLS—think 1TB/day private transfers. VPN Gateway uses IPsec over the internet—think 100GB/day encrypted traffic. ExpressRoute is private, VPN Gateway public.
Scenario: ExpressRoute connects a data center; VPN Gateway links a branch office. Choose by privacy.
Section 2 - Performance and Scalability
ExpressRoute scales bandwidth—example: 10 Gbps circuit for 1M users with ~5ms latency. Scales to 100 Gbps with dedicated circuits.
VPN Gateway scales throughput—example: VpnGw2 (1 Gbps) for 10,000 users with ~20ms latency. Scales to 10 Gbps with active-active configs.
Scenario: ExpressRoute transfers 1TB/day for ERP; VPN Gateway syncs 100GB/day for backups. ExpressRoute excels in performance, VPN Gateway in flexibility—pick by bandwidth.
Section 3 - Cost Models
ExpressRoute is per circuit—example: 1 Gbps (~$400/month) plus port fees (~$0.35/hour) costs ~$650/month. No free tier.
VPN Gateway is per gateway-hour—example: VpnGw1 (~$0.05/hour) costs ~$36/month. Free tier includes Basic SKU for testing.
Practical case: ExpressRoute suits mission-critical apps; VPN Gateway fits cost-sensitive links. ExpressRoute is premium, VPN Gateway affordable—optimize by budget.
Section 4 - Use Cases and Ecosystem
ExpressRoute excels in hybrid apps—example: 1TB/day for SAP HANA. VPN Gateway shines in remote access—think 100GB/day for branch offices.
Ecosystem-wise, ExpressRoute integrates with Azure Private Link; VPN Gateway with Azure Firewall. ExpressRoute is performance-focused, VPN Gateway security-focused.
Practical case: ExpressRoute powers a global ERP; VPN Gateway connects a small office. Choose by scale.
Section 5 - Comparison Table
| Aspect | ExpressRoute | VPN Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Private circuit | Encrypted VPN |
| Performance | ~5ms | ~20ms |
| Cost | ~$650/month | ~$36/month |
| Scalability | 100 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Best For | Hybrid apps | Remote access |
ExpressRoute suits high-performance apps; VPN Gateway excels in cost-effective links. Choose by performance.
Conclusion
Azure ExpressRoute and VPN Gateway are networking powerhouses with distinct strengths. ExpressRoute delivers private, high-bandwidth circuits for mission-critical hybrid apps, ideal for low-latency, large-scale transfers. VPN Gateway provides cost-effective, encrypted tunnels for flexible connectivity, perfect for smaller or remote setups. Consider performance (private vs. public), scale (terabytes vs. gigabytes), and budget.
For enterprise hybrids, ExpressRoute shines; for branch offices, VPN Gateway delivers. Pair ExpressRoute with Private Link or VPN Gateway with Firewall for optimal results. Test both—VPN Gateway’s free tier or ExpressRoute’s pay-as-you-go make prototyping accessible.