AWS Local Zones
Extend a Region closer to users
AWS infrastructure (EC2, EBS and some services) located in major cities and attached to a parent Region, giving single-digit ms latency to users or on-prem systems in that area.
- Cost$$ Medium
- Difficulty●●●●●
- Costs money when idle?No
- Managed by AWS
- In examsCLF · SAA
Think of it asLike a bank opening a branch right in your district while headquarters stays downtown.
When to use it
✓ Use it when
Latency-sensitive apps (gaming, rendering, livestreaming) or data that needs to be near a specific city.
✗ Avoid it when
Low latency for 5G devices → Wavelength; running in your own data center → Outposts.
Common uses
- Game servers close to players
- Real-time rendering and video editing
- Low-latency hybrid with a data center in the same city
What does it cost?
- Pricing model: Pay for resources running in the Local Zone (EC2, EBS…) at each zone's own prices, usually higher than the parent Region.
Related services
SAA-C03 study guide
Local Zones is covered in these study modules: