Microsoft Azure review: cloud computing platform pricing, core services, free tier, and how it compares to AWS and Google Cloud for businesses in 2026.
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft's public cloud computing platform, launched in 2010 as a competitor to Amazon Web Services and Google App Engine. Operated out of Redmond, Washington, Azure has grown into the second-largest cloud provider by market share, offering more than 200 services across compute, storage, databases, networking, and AI.
Azure's growth has been closely tied to enterprises already invested in Microsoft's software ecosystem, as well as to its exclusive partnership with OpenAI, which has positioned Azure as a leading platform for hosting and building on GPT-family AI models.
Core Azure services include Virtual Machines and Azure Kubernetes Service for compute, Azure Functions for serverless workloads, Blob Storage and managed disks for storage, and Azure SQL Database and Cosmos DB for managed databases. Networking, identity management through Microsoft Entra ID, and DevOps tooling round out the core platform.
Azure AI Foundry brings together AI and machine learning services, including access to OpenAI's models through Microsoft's exclusive partnership, letting enterprises build generative AI applications directly on Azure infrastructure.
Azure uses a consumption-based pricing model by default: pay-as-you-go rates apply to compute hours, storage volume, and data transfer with no upfront commitment. New accounts get 12 months of popular services free, 25-plus always-free services at low usage levels, and a $200 credit to explore the platform in the first 30 days.
Cost-saving options include Azure Reservations (up to 72 percent off for 1- or 3-year commitments), Azure Savings Plans for Compute (up to 65 percent off for a committed hourly spend), Spot pricing for interruptible workloads, and Azure Hybrid Benefit for customers with existing Windows Server or SQL Server licenses.
Microsoft Azure is Microsoft's public cloud computing platform, launched in 2010, offering over 200 services across compute, storage, databases, networking, and AI on a consumption-based pricing model.
Azure is primarily consumption-based, charging for compute hours, storage volume, and data transfer, with additional discount options like Reservations, Savings Plans, Spot pricing, and Hybrid Benefit for existing license holders.
Yes, new accounts get 12 months of popular services free, more than 25 services that are always free at low usage levels, and a $200 credit for the first 30 days.
AWS holds the largest cloud market share at around 30 percent, with Azure second at around 20 to 24 percent and Google Cloud third at around 11 percent; Azure's key advantage is deep Microsoft ecosystem integration and its OpenAI partnership.
Azure is used by organizations of all sizes, from startups to the vast majority of Fortune 500 companies, particularly those already invested in Microsoft software like Windows Server, SQL Server, and Active Directory.
Azure AI Foundry is Microsoft's AI development platform on Azure, giving enterprises access to OpenAI's models and other machine learning tools to build generative AI applications.