Link copied to clipboard # AWS CloudHSM vs AWS Key Management Service (KMS) Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/aws-cloudhsm/aws-key-management-service-kms/export.csv) AWS CloudHSMAWS Key Management Service...[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **AWS CloudHSM** No pricing available **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough reviews yet **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** Not enough reviews yet Return on Investment **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough reviews yet **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** Not enough reviews yet Perceived Cost **AWS CloudHSM** $$$$$ **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** $$$$$ Average Discount **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough reviews yet **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** Not enough reviews yet **Pros & Cons** from reviews **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough data **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** [ Azure Services (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2281986&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Cloud Services (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2281975&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Access Issues (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2281965&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Connectivity Issues (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2281993&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough data **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cacdec8b8edeace9b3c89e0c2cded695/amazon-ec2.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon EC2 ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-ec2/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cacdec8b8edeace9b3c89e0c2cded695/amazon-s3-glacier.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Amazon S3 Glacier ](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-s3-glacier/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/aws-lambda.jpg "Product Avatar Image") AWS Lambda ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-lambda/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/integrations) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **AWS CloudHSM** 8.9 8.912 **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 9.0 9.023 Ease of Use **AWS CloudHSM** 8.5 8.512 **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.5 8.523 Ease of Setup **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough data **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.9 8.911 Ease of Admin **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough data **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.5 8.510 Quality of Support **AWS CloudHSM** 9.0 9.010 **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.8 8.822 Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **AWS CloudHSM** Not enough data **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.5 8.510 Product Direction (% positive) **AWS CloudHSM** 8.9 8.911 **AWS Key Management Service (KMS)** 8.4 8.422 **Features** ratings from reviews User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 30.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.8% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 38.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 30.8% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.8% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 38.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 22.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 19.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 58.1% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 22.6% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 19.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 58.1% **Reviewers' Industry** [![AWS CloudHSM](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476484/aws-cloudhsm.svg "AWS CloudHSM")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-cloudhsm/reviews) AWS CloudHSM Computer Software 30.8% Financial Services 23.1% Research 7.7% Program Development 7.7% Mechanical or Industrial Engineering 7.7% Other 23.1% [![AWS Key Management Service (KMS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476489/aws-key-management-service-kms.svg "AWS Key Management Service (KMS)")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews) AWS Key Management Service (KMS) Computer Software 29.0% Information Technology and Services 9.7% Computer & Network Security 6.5% Retail 6.5% Program Development 6.5% Other 41.9% Alternatives **AWS CloudHSM Alternatives** ![Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0ee75f8aa7a545be51fce5cd41f4741e/hashicorp-vault.svg "Vault") [ IBM Vault (formerly HashiCorp Vault) ](/products/hashicorp-vault/reviews) ![Azure Key Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/azure-key-vault.svg "Azure Key Vault") [ Azure Key Vault ](/products/azure-key-vault/reviews) ![Egnyte](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/91bb854a397a0e939339a805a61acf75/egnyte.svg "Egnyte") [ Egnyte ](/products/egnyte/reviews) ![Virtru Email Encryption](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9566ba6338388ab7e15b634d2d6fc7ba/virtru-email-encryption.svg "Virtru Email Encryption") [ Virtru Email Encryption ](/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) **AWS Key Management Service (KMS) Alternatives** ![Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0ee75f8aa7a545be51fce5cd41f4741e/hashicorp-vault.svg "Vault") [ IBM Vault (formerly HashiCorp Vault) ](/products/hashicorp-vault/reviews) ![Azure Key Vault](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/azure-key-vault.svg "Azure Key Vault") [ Azure Key Vault ](/products/azure-key-vault/reviews) ![Egnyte](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/91bb854a397a0e939339a805a61acf75/egnyte.svg "Egnyte") [ Egnyte ](/products/egnyte/reviews) ![Virtru Email Encryption](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/9566ba6338388ab7e15b634d2d6fc7ba/virtru-email-encryption.svg "Virtru Email Encryption") [ Virtru Email Encryption ](/products/virtru-email-encryption/reviews) ## AWS CloudHSM vs AWS Key Management Service... FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between AWS CloudHSM vs AWS Key Management Service...? AWS Key Management Service... is rated slightly higher than AWS CloudHSM and is noted for easier setup and broader centralized key management, while AWS CloudHSM offers dedicated hardware security modules with more administrative complexity. | [AWS CloudHSM](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-cloudhsm/reviews) | [AWS Key Management Service...](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews) | | --- | --- | | 4.3/5 (14 reviews) | 4.4/5 (34 reviews) | | — | — | | — | 8.9 | | 9.0 | 8.8 | | Dedicated hardware security module with FIPS 140-2 compliance | Centralized key management and strong AWS service integration | ### How do the pricing models of AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service... compare? AWS Key Management Service... is considered the stronger value based on reviewer satisfaction with pricing and cost. - **AWS CloudHSM:** In recent reviews, several mention that AWS CloudHSM is more expensive and requires more management effort, but offers pay-as-you-go pricing and eliminates infrastructure costs. - **AWS Key Management Service...:** Reviewers consistently highlight satisfaction with the cost, noting that it is very cheap, centralizes key management, and removes the complexity of manual key rotation and storage. - **Switching reasons:** Reviewers cite moving to AWS Key Management Service... for easier centralized management and lower operational overhead compared to hardware-based solutions. ### What are the best alternatives to AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service...? The top 3 alternatives to AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service... are Azure Key Vault, IBM Vault (formerly HashiCorp Vault), and Egnyte. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [AWS CloudHSM](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-cloudhsm/reviews) | 4.3/5 (14 reviews) | — | Pay-as-you-go pricing, eliminates infrastructure costs | Dedicated hardware security module with FIPS 140-2 compliance | | [AWS Key Management Service...](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-key-management-service-kms/reviews) | 4.4/5 (34 reviews) | — | Very cheap, centralizes key management, removes manual key rotation | Centralized key management and strong AWS service integration | | [Azure Key Vault](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-key-vault/reviews) | 4.5/5 (55 reviews) | Enterprise | — | — | | [IBM Vault (formerly HashiCorp Vault)](https://www.g2.com/products/ibm-vault-formerly-hashicorp-vault/reviews) | 4.3/5 (53 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — | | [Egnyte](https://www.g2.com/products/egnyte/reviews) | 4.4/5 (1162 reviews) | Small-Business | — | — | ### Which Encryption Key Management features should I prioritize when comparing AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service...? Buyers should prioritize centralized key management, ease of setup, quality of support, compliance capabilities, and integration with cloud services when comparing AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service.... - **Centralized key management:** AWS Key Management Service... is frequently cited for its centralized management and integration with AWS services; Meets Requirements score: AWS CloudHSM 8.9, AWS Key Management Service... 9.0. - **Ease of setup:** AWS Key Management Service... scores 8.9; AWS CloudHSM does not have a published score. - **Quality of support:** AWS CloudHSM scores 9.0, AWS Key Management Service... 8.8. - **Compliance capabilities:** AWS CloudHSM is highlighted for FIPS 140-2 compliance and dedicated hardware security modules. - **Integration with cloud services:** AWS Key Management Service... is noted for strong integration with AWS services and centralized encryption management. ### What are the pros and cons of AWS CloudHSM vs AWS Key Management Service...? AWS CloudHSM's headline strength is dedicated hardware security and compliance, while AWS Key Management Service... excels in centralized key management and ease of use. - **AWS CloudHSM strengths:** Dedicated hardware security module, FIPS 140-2 compliance, high availability, pay-as-you-go pricing, and strong compliance support. - **AWS CloudHSM trade-offs:** More expensive, more complex administration, requires application code changes for integration, and less user-friendly interface. - **AWS Key Management Service... strengths:** Centralized key management, strong integration with AWS services, automatic key rotation, granular IAM policies, audit logging, and high reviewer satisfaction with cost and ease of use. - **AWS Key Management Service... trade-offs:** Complexity in understanding customer-managed keys and policies, API request costs for high-volume operations, and some reviewers note the UI can be confusing for beginners. ### Is AWS CloudHSM or AWS Key Management Service... better for small businesses? AWS Key Management Service... is the better fit for small businesses due to its strong integration, ease of use, and positive reviewer sentiment. - **AWS CloudHSM:** No largest segment data available; reviewers note it is more suitable for medium to large companies and mention higher complexity and cost. - **AWS Key Management Service...:** No largest segment data available; reviewers highlight ease of use, centralized management, and suitability for organizations seeking straightforward encryption and key management. ### Which Encryption Key Management platform has better integrations? AWS Key Management Service... is favored for integrations due to frequent reviewer mentions of its integration with AWS services. - **AWS CloudHSM:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations are mentioned. - **AWS Key Management Service...:** In recent reviews, many reviewers highlight integration with AWS services, including S3, EBS, RDS, Parameter Store, and Lambda. ### How do AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service... compare on customer support? AWS CloudHSM and AWS Key Management Service... are rated in near-parity on Quality of Support, with AWS CloudHSM at 9.0 and AWS Key Management Service... at 8.8. - **AWS CloudHSM:** Reviewers describe support as generally good, with some noting the need for better tutorials and occasional challenges with service quality. - **AWS Key Management Service...:** Reviewers consistently report positive support experiences, with several citing helpful documentation and responsive assistance. ### Which is easier to implement, AWS CloudHSM or AWS Key Management Service...? AWS Key Management Service... is rated higher for Ease of Setup with a score of 8.9, while AWS CloudHSM does not have a published score. - **AWS CloudHSM:** Reviewers mention that setup can be complex for entry-level engineers and may require changes to application code, but also note that it is easy to set up for those familiar with the platform. - **AWS Key Management Service...:** Reviewers consistently highlight straightforward setup, ease of integration with AWS services, and minimal configuration required for standard encryption needs. ## AWS CloudHSM vs AWS Key Management Service (KMS) - Reviewers felt that AWS Key Management Service (KMS) meets the needs of their business better than AWS CloudHSM. - When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that AWS CloudHSM is the preferred option. - For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of AWS CloudHSM over AWS Key Management Service (KMS).