AWS SNS vs SQS: Which One Should I Use?

What are the main differences between AWS SNS and SQS?

AWS SNS (Simple Notification Service) is a pub/sub messaging service, while SQS (Simple Queue Service) is a message queuing service. SNS is used for sending notifications to multiple subscribers, whereas SQS is designed for decoupling microservices and ensuring message delivery.

When should I use SNS over SQS?

Use SNS when you need to push messages to multiple subscribers or when you want to trigger workflows. It's ideal for real-time notifications. Use SQS when you need to ensure that messages are processed in order and want to decouple your application components.

Can I use both SNS and SQS together?

Yes, you can use both together. For example, you can use SNS to send notifications to multiple SQS queues, allowing different services to process messages independently.

What are the pricing differences between SNS and SQS?

SNS pricing is based on the number of messages published and delivered, while SQS pricing is based on the number of requests and the amount of data transferred. It's important to analyze your use case to determine which service is more cost-effective.