Microsoft Azure Reviews

Name: Microsoft Azure
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.2 (312 reviews)

Vendor: Microsoft

4.2 out of 5

312 reviews
96% willing to recommend

5,812 followers

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What is Microsoft Azure?

Windows Azure is Microsoft's cloud platform, where developers can create, deploy, and maintain their apps. This cloud application platform allows developers to concentrate on the actual applications, while it takes care of all the elements behind the apps.

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Microsoft Azure is the #1 ranked solution in top Infrastructure as a Service Clouds and PaaS Services. PeerSpot users give Microsoft Azure an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Microsoft Azure is most commonly compared to Amazon AWS: Microsoft Azure vs Amazon AWS. Microsoft Azure is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 46% of all views.

Helped 838,394 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Nicolas Chabrier

Cloud Strategy B2B leader at Sunrise UPC

Microsoft Azure promotes clear, logical structures preventing impractical configurations. So, compared to the older platform I know, the advantage of Microsoft Azure is it's very coherent. You can't really build something totally stupid. With other platforms, it's possible to build something technically possible but practically very stupid. So, it's very coherent on the Microsoft platform, and it's also consistent with what Microsoft has done on-premise. If we have a customer with a strong Microsoft footprint, it's pretty obvious that we should move to Microsoft Azure. On the opposite side, if we have a customer that's super Linux-oriented, they have a lot of Linux services and stuff like that for those types of customers. It's easier, maybe, to move to AWS. Another area of improvement is Microsoft Sentinel. It is great for large companies but less so for smaller ones. An improvement could be a version that is more adapted for small companies.

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Arunprasad Kumar

Lead Cloud Specialist at EZ-Link Pte Ltd

The initial deployment is easy now, after five years of using it. It might have been a nightmare a few years ago, but it's very good now. We primarily deploy using PaaS (Platform as a Service) solutions. We avoid managing virtual machines whenever possible. Approximately 90% of our mission-critical application workloads are microservices run in Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). We use virtual machines for the remaining 10%. We also use Azure SQL Database. We deploy resources using Azure DevOps pipelines. Azure's documentation assists with our deployments. I like the recommendation feature, although we sometimes need to create exceptions, as is typical with any baseline. But overall, it's helpful. Not just the recommendations, but the entire added value is a great feature and provides valuable insights. The architectural framework pillars are also very useful to use as a whole, not just the individual recommendations.

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Harmandeep Kaur

AVP, Data Science Specialist at Swiss Re

We haven't actually needed to contact Azure support very often. However, the Databricks team, specifically our Service Account Manager, has been very helpful. They've reached out a couple of times to understand the types of projects we're working on and suggest additional functionalities that might be beneficial. There was also some communication with the GenAI team about potential use cases that could be integrated into our platform or future products. I've never had to directly contact an Azure support representative. The online documentation is very comprehensive, and there's a large, active community that we can leverage for troubleshooting. Basically, all the documentation we need is readily available to resolve any queries.

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Microsoft Azure mindshare

Product category:

As of February 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure in the Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) category stands at 19.3%, up from 19.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS)	Feb 19, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure vs Amazon AWS	Feb 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure vs Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)	Feb 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft Azure vs Google Firebase	Feb 19, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Amazon AWS	4.2	15.3%	93%	254 interviews Add to research
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)	3.9	8.6%	92%	94 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

"It has made my applications easier to use and has improved the development process."
"The product is highly stable."
"The performance of Azure DevOps services is really impressive."

Room for Improvement

Microsoft Azure has challenges with pricing complexity, high costs, and difficult cost estimation. Users report issues with integration, support responsiveness, and frequent changes that require constant adaptation. Many find the interface non-intuitive, and configuration can be complex. The platform's performance, debugging tools, and data security need improvement. The offering lacks certain compatibility with non-Microsoft systems, could benefit from better customization options, and has gaps in marketplace integration.

"There is room for improvement in the pricing structure, user interface design (UI/UX), clear navigation, and documentation support of Microsoft Azure."
"There is room for improvement in the product's AI capabilities and real-time data processing features."
"It should improve database performance and make the platform more user-friendly. Additionally, providing more tools for seamless migration from AWS to Azure would be beneficial."

ROI

Microsoft Azure delivers significant ROI through cost savings on infrastructure and server expenses. Many users report savings by eliminating on-premises hardware and reducing maintenance costs. Azure's flexible operational expenses and scalability allow for efficient resource management. Companies benefit from improved performance, reduced downtime, and enhanced customer experiences. Special pricing for development and migration strategies further increase returns. However, some users face challenges with outgoing data costs and ROI calculation, which varies based on specific usage patterns.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find Microsoft Azure's pricing competitive but complex, with varied costs based on usage and configurations. The pay-as-you-go model offers OPEX benefits but can lead to unpredictable expenses. Users recommend leveraging the pricing calculator and exploring options like Enterprise Agreements for better cost management. Azure often provides better initial price points compared to competitors but faces critique for high IaaS costs and complex licensing. Many find value in Azure's resources, yet express a desire for clearer cost forecasting.

"In countries experiencing high inflation, the cost of Azure services can be significantly impacted. This can result in higher expenses compared to other regions."
"We pay a monthly licensing fee for the solution, which could be cheaper."
"The pricing is fine."

Service and Support

Microsoft Azure's customer service and support show mixed experiences. Some users find the technical support responsive, knowledgeable, and quick, rating it highly. Others express dissatisfaction due to delayed response times and a complex escalation process. Premium support levels generally receive high praise, while basic support is seen as less satisfactory. Language barriers and outsourcing issues are noted. Azure's documentation, forums, and local partners offer additional help. Overall, perceived effectiveness heavily depends on subscription levels and specific user needs.

Deployment

Users generally found Microsoft Azure's initial setup straightforward and easy, especially when familiar with cloud services. However, some experienced challenges due to complex business scenarios, integrations, or specific security needs. Documentation and support were appreciated for guidance. Users with prior experience in similar platforms found it easier, while beginners encountered a learning curve. Time for deployment varied significantly, depending on the complexity of their needs and applications involved.

Scalability

Microsoft Azure is highly scalable, allowing users to adjust resources with ease. Many users report no issues with scaling in or out. Automatic and manual scaling options are praised. However, some users mention limitations and resource constraints in specific regions. Despite occasional complaints of complexity and cost concerns, Azure is described as handling demands effectively, with users widely recognizing its scalability advantages across various business sizes and types.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Microsoft Azure Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

46%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

University

Government

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Non Profit

Transportation Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Performing Arts

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Microsoft Azure with alternative products

Learn more about Microsoft Azure

Windows Azure works across multiple frameworks and languages. It is fully scalable, localized in that it is hosted globally in many datacenters, and has widespread capabilities with elements of application development, deployment, and management.

Azure is comprised of several different service modules, including Infrastructure; Web; Mobile; Dev & Test; Big Data; Media;Storage, Backup & Recovery; and Identity & Access Management.

Microsoft Azure works as a:

Platform as a service (PaaS)
Software as a service (SaaS)
Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

Microsoft Azure is available:

On-premises
Hybrid
Multi-cloud
At the edge

Compared to its competitors, Microsoft Azure:

Has more affordable features
Has easier migration for organizations already using other Microsoft tools
Has several educational resources available
Provides robust support
Is ideal for small and large businesses

Microsoft Azure Features:

Scalability
Stability
Flexibility
Azure Site Recovery
Active Directory
Monitoring features
Cloud-based
Automated tasks
Change capability cadence
Showback capabilities
Information protection
Azure Data Lake
Excellent portal
Intuitive user interface
Remote desktop
Fast provisioning
Data security
Data resiliency
Speed of service
Integrated delivery pipeline
Disaster recovery
Robust templates
Flexible coding languages
Virtual systems testing

Benefits of Microsoft Azure:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Because Microsoft Azure is an IaaS, organizations can deploy as well as manage applications easily and quickly. Azure also provides you with the ability to customize the cloud software to meet your specific business needs.
Seamless integration: Microsoft Azure is built to seamlessly integrate with existing IT departments via hybrid databases, secure private connections, and storage solutions.
Cost-effective: Because Azure can harmoniously exist in your business environment with your data center, it is a very cost-effective solution.
Analytics support: Azure is designed with built-in support that is used to analyze data and provide key insights. Azure offers Cortana Analytics, Stream Analytics, Machine Learning, and SQL services.
Unique storage system: Compared to other cloud services, Microsoft Azure has more data centers and delivery points, which helps create an optimal user experience and also helps deliver content faster. In addition, Microsoft Azure makes it possible for organizations to exchange content across several virtual machines.
Enhanced flexibility: Azure provides extreme flexibility by allowing you to choose any level of functionality you require. It also supports many of the same technologies IT teams and developers usually depend on, making it easier for them to manage.
Easy implementation: Microsoft Azure is easy and quick to deploy. If necessary, you can change web apps to Azure with almost zero downtime.

Reviews from Real Users:

"It is a flexible solution that is straightforward to use," says the principal consultant at a computer software company.

OmarJ., future datacenter consultant: Microsoft Azure Cloud at a tech company, adds that "The user interface is very nice and makes everything easy to use."

“You can build an environment in minutes. It's very good in terms of being an infrastructure as a service, and I found that really fascinating,” says an information technology consultant at a computer software company.

"I think Azure's level of automation to achieve efficiency or agility is valuable. I also like the change capability cadence, the showback capabilities, and understanding what our costs are," says an enterprise architect at an energy/utilities company.

Marco C., Ing. at Wolters Kluwer, says "The valuable features of Microsoft Azure are that it is cloud-based and has good storage. The storage is completely managed by Azure. We do not need to do any patching of security because it is handled by Azure which is a benefit. The solution is fully compatible with the Microsoft technology stack and is very scalable."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Azure is it has everything together in one place. It is one large tool with lots of small tools that are updated often," says the owner of a media company.

Microsoft Azure was previously known as Windows Azure, Azure, MS Azure.