Microsoft Azure
The second-largest cloud platform globally with 60+ regions. Azure virtual machines range from burstable B-series instances for dev/test workloads to D-series general-purpose and N-series GPU VMs for AI and HPC. Deep integration with Windows Server, Active Directory, and the broader Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price/mo | CPU | RAM | Storage | Bandwidth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1s (Burstable) | $7.59 | 1 vCPU (burstable) | 1GB | 32GB SSD | 2TB egress | Dev/test, low traffic, burstable to 100% CPU credits |
| B2s (Burstable) | $30.37 | 2 vCPU (burstable) | 4GB | 32GB SSD | 5TB egress | Burstable general purpose, small web apps |
| D2s v5 (General Purpose) | $70.08 | 2 vCPU (Intel Xeon) | 8GB | 75GB local SSD | 10TB egress | Production general purpose, consistent compute |
| D4s v5 (General Purpose) | $140.16 | 4 vCPU (Intel Xeon) | 16GB | 150GB local SSD | 20TB egress | Mid-range production, 4 cores, web/app servers |
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Microsoft Azure is the second-largest cloud platform globally, trailing only AWS in market share. Azure provides 200+ products across compute, storage, networking, databases, AI, and developer tools, with a particularly strong position in enterprise environments due to deep integration with Active Directory, Windows Server, and Microsoft 365.
VM Families
Azure organises virtual machines into families optimised for specific workloads:
- B-series: Burstable instances ideal for dev/test, low-traffic sites, and workloads with variable CPU demand
- D-series: General-purpose production workloads (the most common choice)
- E-series: Memory-optimised (high RAM-to-CPU ratio, databases)
- F-series: Compute-optimised (CPU-heavy workloads)
- N-series: GPU instances (NVIDIA T4, A100, H100: ML/AI/rendering)
- L-series: Storage-optimised (NVMe-heavy, high IOPS)
Pricing Models
Azure offers four billing models: Pay-as-you-go (most flexible, highest cost), Reserved Instances (1 or 3-year commitment, up to 72% savings), Spot Instances (excess capacity at 60–90% discount with interruption risk), and Azure Savings Plans (compute spend commitments for 65% savings).
Windows Integration
Azure is the natural home for Windows Server workloads, BYOL (Bring Your Own License) via Azure Hybrid Benefit cuts Windows VM costs by up to 40% for organisations with existing Software Assurance. Active Directory integration, Azure AD, and SQL Server licensing deals are difficult to replicate elsewhere.
60+ Global Regions
Azure operates in more geographic regions than any other cloud provider, with 60+ regions across 140 countries. Paired regions, Availability Zones, and Availability Sets provide robust redundancy options for globally distributed deployments.
Verdict
The strongest choice for Windows-centric enterprises, hybrid cloud scenarios (on-premises + cloud via Azure Arc), and organisations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem. Not the cheapest option but the compliance coverage (FedRAMP, HIPAA, ISO 27001 across all regions) and Windows tooling make it essential for certain regulated workloads.