CPX-351 and venetoclax and azacitidine (ven/aza) are both indicated as initial therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older adults. In the absence of prospective randomized comparisons of these regimens, we used retrospective observational data to evaluate various outcomes for patients with newly diagnosed AML receiving either CPX-351 (n=217) or ven/aza (n=439). This study used both a nationwide electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database and the University of Pennsylvania EHR. Our study includes 217 patients who received CPX-351 and 439 who received venetoclax/azacitidine. Ven/aza patients were older, more likely to be treated in the community, and more likely to have a diagnosis of de novo AML. Other baseline covariates were not statistically significantly different between the groups. Median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 12 months and did not differ based upon therapy (13 months for CPX-351 versus 11 months for ven/aza, HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.71-1.08, p = 0.22). Overall survival was similar across multiple sensitivity analyses. Regarding safety outcomes, early mortality was similar (10% vs. 13% at 60 days). However, documented infections were higher with CPX-351 as were rates of febrile neutropenia. Hospital length of stay, including any admission prior to next cycle of therapy, was more than twice as long for CPX-351. In this large multi-center real word dataset, there was no statistically significant difference in OS. Prospective randomized studies with careful attention to side effects, quality of life, and impact on transplant outcomes are needed in these populations.