AWS makes it easy to get up and running fast. That is why most businesses start there. Over time though, things change; costs creep up, systems get harder to manage, and it becomes less clear what you are actually paying for.
At that point, the question shifts from growth to control.
How do you move away from AWS without breaking anything or taking on unnecessary risk?
What is an AWS exit strategy?
An AWS exit strategy is simply a plan to move your systems, data, and applications off AWS and onto another platform such as colocation or dedicated servers.
It covers what you are running today, what depends on what, and how to move everything across without disruption.
Why businesses look to leave AWS
Rising and Unpredictable Costs
AWS pricing is usage-based. As systems grow, bills become harder to predict.
Costs often come from places you do not expect: – data transfer – API calls – storage tiers – backups and replication
Vendor Lock-in
Services like RDS, Lambda, and DynamoDB are useful, but they are not easy to move.
What is vendor lock in, in AWS?
Vendor lock in is what makes leaving difficult. As you use more AWS services, your setup becomes more tied to their platform. Over time, that makes it harder and more expensive to move elsewhere.
Limited Control
You do not control the underlying infrastructure. That limits how far you can tune performance or reduce costs.
Performance Consistency
Shared environments can lead to uneven performance, especially under load.
The real cost of leaving AWS
Leaving AWS takes planning and time.
Data Egress Costs
Moving data out of AWS is not free, with typical costs sitting around £0.05 to £0.09 per GB.
Example: – 50TB of data could cost £2,500 to £4,500 to extract
Re Platforming Effort
If you rely on AWS services, parts of your setup may need rebuilding.
Dual Running Costs
You will likely run AWS alongside your new setup for a period.
Skills and Operations
You either manage infrastructure yourself or work with a provider who does it for you.
Example AWS exit scenario
A typical setup might look like this:
- AWS spend around £8,000 per month
- systems running constantly
- high data transfer costs
After moving to colocation:
- fixed cost around £3,000 to £4,000 per month
- stable monthly spend
- more control over performance
This is why many businesses see significant savings over time.
When AWS becomes too expensive
AWS works well when demand changes quickly.
It becomes less efficient when: – systems run all the time – usage is predictable – workloads need high compute or GPU – data transfer is high
AWS vs Colocation
AWS
- Variable pricing
- Quick to scale
- Managed Services
- Less Control
Colocation
- Fixed monthly costs
- Full control of hardware
- No vendor lock in
- Consistent performance
How to leave AWS safely
1. Audit your environment
Understand what you are running and how it connects.
2. Identify dependencies
Find where AWS specific services are used.
3. Redesign where needed
Plan how systems will run outside AWS.
4. Build the new environment
Set up colocation or dedicated infrastructure.
5. Migrate in stages
Move workloads gradually and test as you go.
6. Optimise
Tidy up performance and costs after the move.
How CWCS Reduces Migration Risk
CWCS supports migrations in a controlled way.
- Phased moves instead of big switch overs
- Rollback options if something goes wrong
- Testing before going live
- Clear support throughout
How CWCS Supports your AWS Exit Strategy
CWCS helps businesses move away from AWS using UK-based Colocation Services.
Planning and Assessment
Review your AWS setup and build a clear plan for moving.
Migration Support
Workloads are moved in stages with testing along the way.
Colocation Infrastructure
CWCS operates UK Data Centres in Nottingham, London, and Manchester.
Options include: – single server colocation 1U, 2U, 4U – quarter rack 9U – half rack 20U – full rack 42U
Infrastructure includes: – A plus B power feeds with N plus 1 UPS and generators – N plus 1 cooling with hot aisle containment – carrier neutral network with access to over 400 carriers – LINX connectivity and Openreach on net – network level DDoS protection – physical security with CCTV, access control, and mantraps – IG 451 fire suppression – renewable energy backed power – PUE around 1.15 in Nottingham expansion
Managed services
Support is available if you do not want to manage everything yourself, with 24 by 7 UK based engineers.
Why choose CWCS
With UK Data Centres in Nottingham, London, and Manchester, CWCS have been proudly supporting businesses for 25+ years as a leading Managed Hosting Provider.
Our ISO 27001 and ISO 9001-certified Data Centre is built with redundant power and cooling, strong network connectivity, and is powered by 100% renewable energy. With technical engineers on-site 24/7 and UK-based support also accessible 24/7 (via phone and email), our support is designed to be an extension of your own team.
CWCS exists to remove uncertainty around infrastructure. Providing secure, resilient platforms that customers can genuinely depend on is what we do. At the same time, we believe responsibility matters, with sustainability embedded in how we design, operate and invest in our infrastructure.
FAQs
How much does it cost to leave AWS
Costs depend on data size and complexity. Data transfer and rebuild work are the main factors.
Is it cheaper to leave AWS
For stable workloads, it often is over time.
How long does migration take
From a few weeks to a few months depending on size.
Can you migrate without downtime
Often yes, with the right approach.
What replaces AWS services
Databases, storage, and compute are replaced with dedicated or self managed systems.
Speak to CWCS
See what you could save and get a clear plan to move away from AWS. Speak to an expert to identify whether colocation or a hybrid approach could reduce costs without sacrificing flexibility.
