Which AWS service is designed for running batch jobs?

AWS Batch is specifically designed for running batch processing jobs efficiently on the AWS cloud. It enables users to easily and efficiently run hundreds to thousands of batch computing jobs, allowing for automatic scaling of compute resources based on the volume of jobs submitted. AWS Batch manages the provisioning of the necessary compute resources, scheduling, and execution of jobs, which makes it highly suitable for workloads that involve processing large volumes of data or performing computations that can be done in parallel.

This service eliminates the need for users to manually manage the underlying infrastructure, as it automatically adjusts to meet the needs of the job workloads, optimizing time and cost. Users can define job dependencies, specify job priorities, and monitor jobs seamlessly, which enhances the overall efficiency of batch job processing.

While the other services mentioned have their distinct purposes—AWS Lambda is best for serverless computing events, AWS ECS is geared towards managing containerized applications, and AWS Step Functions is utilized for orchestrating workflows—the unique focus on batch job execution and management makes AWS Batch the most appropriate choice for this particular scenario.