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Azure Data Lake Storage Reviews

Vendor: Microsoft
4.3 out of 5
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What is Azure Data Lake Storage?

Azure Data Lake Storage is widely used for data warehousing, storing processed data, raw customer files, and integrating data from multiple sources, supporting analytics, reporting, and machine learning by securely storing JSON, CSV, and other formats.

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Buyer's Guide
Azure Data Lake Storage
April 2025
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Azure Data Lake Storage mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of Azure Data Lake Storage in the Cloud Storage category stands at 0.9%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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PeerAnalyst reports based on Azure Data Lake Storage reviews

TypeTitleDate
CategoryCloud StorageApr 9, 2025Download
ProductReviews, tips, and advice from real usersApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonAzure Data Lake Storage vs NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAPApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonAzure Data Lake Storage vs Google Cloud StorageApr 9, 2025Download
ComparisonAzure Data Lake Storage vs NasuniApr 9, 2025Download
 
 
Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Azure Data Lake Storage is praised for its hierarchical namespace, strong security features, scalability, seamless integration with Azure services, and cost-effective storage options. Users highlight its flexibility, ease of use, and support for varied data types. Its security access policies, integration with tools like Databricks, and automated operations enhance usability for data handling, storage, and management, making it ideal for diverse data scenarios, particularly for those focused on big data analytics.
  • "Azure Data Lake Storage offers comprehensive integration with a variety of Azure tools, such as SQL servers and the Azure DevOps platform."
  • "Azure Data Lake Storage is user-friendly and easy to use."
  • "Azure Data Lake Storage is user-friendly and easy to use."

Room for Improvement

Azure Data Lake Storage needs enhanced SAP connectivity and simpler APIs. Eastern European regions require Azure Storage Explorer integration. Improved instructions, comprehensive examples, and a clearer migration process are vital. Licensing clarity, support response times, and cost efficiency are major concerns. Better connector capabilities, format support, and version control are essential. AI features and user-friendliness could be improved. Faster throughput and flexible data retention periods would benefit users.
  • "The speed of support response needs to improve, especially for critical, high-priority issues. Having a quick SLA response time is crucial."
  • "The scalability is limited. However, it's easy to set up."
  • "Maybe the solution could be a bit more user-friendly."

ROI

Pricing

Azure Data Lake Storage users indicate a pay-as-you-go pricing model influenced by data volume and services utilized. While some find it expensive compared to other solutions, others highlight its affordability, especially in data storage. However, complex licensing models and variable costs depending on usage can pose challenges. The solution is noted for scalable options, though competitive positioning against AWS could be improved. Cost-effectiveness and pricing flexibility are recognized benefits.
  • "It costs just a few dollars per terabyte per month."
  • "Pricing is tricky because it depends on the solution you're building and the type of Data Lake storage you use—hot or cold."
  • "On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Azure Data Lake Storage primarily for hierarchical storage of processed data, enabling efficient end-user access and analytics. They store raw and pre-processed data for data warehousing, reporting, and integration with tools like Databricks. It serves as a staging area for data scientists, supports secure storage with features like encryption, and facilitates large data handling. Its usage spans from storing JSON files and PDFs to managing multi-environment data integration and operational reporting.

Service and Support

Azure Data Lake Storage support varies. Some users avoid contacting support, relying on documentation and community resources. Others need assistance, particularly with integrations like Power BI. Initial support may lack expertise, requiring follow-ups. Response speed and quality generally rate highly, though some experience delays. Good documentation and clear instructions aid deployment. Users report that tickets are resolved quickly, with some finding third-party consultants beneficial. Support ratings range from seven to ten.

Deployment

Azure Data Lake Storage's initial setup varies in complexity. Some find it straightforward, while others face challenges due to project-specific needs or security configurations. Deployment time ranges from an hour to several weeks, often depending on automation and team expertise. Adequate knowledge of configurations and best practices is essential for success. Users appreciate the tool's flexibility across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments, though advanced users suggest improvements for secure configurations.

Scalability

Azure Data Lake Storage is highly scalable, handling large data efficiently. Users have mostly positive experiences, with some facing issues during migration. It supports a range of uses, including real-time setups and global transactions. Scalability varies based on complexity and integration with tools like Databricks. Many find it versatile, expandable, and customizable with hierarchical file structures. Some users note cost influences scalability. This storage is suitable for medium to large enterprises.

Stability

Azure Data Lake Storage is highly stable, frequently rated between eight and ten out of ten. Users express confidence in its reliability, only mentioning rare, brief outages. Stability depends on factors like settings and expertise. Many appreciate its good performance for data-focused tasks, despite an occasional issue, such as a past incident in October. The SLAs reflect high reliability, and users consistently indicate satisfaction with the stability and dependability.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Azure Data Lake Storage Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Learn more about Azure Data Lake Storage

Organizations use Azure Data Lake Storage to aggregate information for reporting, integrate it into data pipelines, and benefit from secure transfer capabilities. It serves data scientists as a staging area and businesses leverage its Big Data capabilities for developing technological solutions. With strong security features, high scalability, hierarchical namespace for better performance, and efficient data partitioning, it integrates seamlessly with tools like Databricks. Supporting structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data, it is ideally suited for data lakes.

What are the key features of Azure Data Lake Storage?
  • Strong security features: Includes SAS tokens and access policies
  • High scalability: Able to manage vast amounts of data
  • Hierarchical namespace: Improves performance
  • Efficient data partitioning: Enhances data management
  • User-friendly configuration and integration: Supports tools like Databricks
  • Support for various data formats: Ideal for data lakes
What are the expected benefits and ROI?
  • Hybrid cloud directories: Enhances data management
  • Enhanced big data handling: Improves data analytics processes
  • Policy management for data retention: Facilitates compliance

Azure Data Lake Storage finds its application in several industries by enabling technological solutions that leverage its Big Data capabilities. For instance, businesses in finance use it for aggregating financial reports, while retail companies leverage it for customer data analytics. Healthcare industries use it to store and analyze patient data securely. The manufacturing sector benefits by integrating data from different sources to optimize production processes.

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Azure Data Lake Storage reviews

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Chetan Jayatheertha - PeerSpot user
DevOps Manager at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Nov 26, 2024
Provides valuable features such as access keys, container strings, lifecycle management, audit logs, and the soft delete option

Pros

"Data Lake Storage provides valuable features such as access keys, container strings, lifecycle management, audit logs, and the soft delete option. "

Cons

"Improvement is needed in the migration process from Lakehouse to Enterprise Data Lake (EDL). "

What is our primary use case?

Data Lake Storage is primarily used to ingest different types of data such as file share data, raw data, or unstructured data. 

Additionally, the Data Lake Storage account is Gen Two and is integrated with various Azure resources such as Azure Cloud, Databricks, Data Factory, and SQL DB. Furthermore, it is also compatible with other solutions such as Cosmos DB, Stream Analytics, and Event Hubs.

What is most valuable?

Data Lake Storage provides valuable features such as access keys, container strings, lifecycle management, audit logs, and the soft delete option. These features help in cost-saving and provide an excellent mechanism for backing up data. 

Furthermore, Data Lake Storage can interact with any other Azure resources, providing seamless integration and connectivity.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Read full review (469 words)
Khang Do - PeerSpot user
Data Engineer at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Nov 26, 2024
Optimize AI projects with cost-effective storage and seamless cloud integration

Pros

"I would recommend Azure Data Lake Storage because it is straightforward to set up and versatile for various projects, especially AI solutions requiring document storage."

Cons

"Currently, Azure Data Lake Storage has blob, table, and file share, but no vector feature."

What is our primary use case?

For our current use case, we develop a solution to do PDF extraction. We store PDF files in Azure Data Lake Storage. This helps our application in AI solutions, where users can query something and get results, and we can cross-check by showing the PDF files stored in the Data Lake Storage.

What is most valuable?

One of the first selling points of the storage is the cost; it is reasonably cheap, with different options for storing data. We usually store data in a hot tier, but for archival purposes, cold storage is an affordable option. However, cold tier data take time to make available, requiring consideration between hot and cold options. Their storage is integrated with Azure services like Databricks, making it convenient for various solutions. Furthermore, by migrating from on-premises to the cloud, it reduces costs significantly, which is good for file storage solutions. Additionally, it improves efficiency and shares permissions and authorizations with its container capabilities.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (518 words)
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Find out what your peers are saying about Azure Data Lake Storage. Updated April 2025
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MatsHagberg Olsson2 - PeerSpot user
Senior Solutions Architect at EQ2 Technology
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Jun 23, 2024
Offers good safety to users and is impossible to hack into

Pros

"The tool is very safe to use. It is impossible to hack the product."

Cons

"If tools like Azure Data Lake Storage are enabled within the tool named Azure Storage Explorer, then it would be of tremendous help, but it can be really tricky."

What is our primary use case?

From my perspective, it is secure transfer storage out there.

In terms of the use of Azure Data Lake Storage by customers for data analytics and processing workflows, I would say that my role is to convince customers that it is the safest tool for the storage of data. You can securely connect to remote regions with the tool Azure Storage Explorer, which gives the options and possibilities to safely transfer your data from your existing storage premises and send it to Azure Cloud.

What is most valuable?

The solution's most valuable features are the tools and functions, which are primarily hosted in Azure Storage Explorer. However, you can also facilitate them from within the backup. The tool is very safe to use. It is impossible to hack the product.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: consultant
Read full review (913 words)
CurtisFisher - PeerSpot user
Data Manager at National Committee for Quality Assurance
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Apr 30, 2024
User-friendly and helps aggregate all information into one particular environment

Pros

"Azure Data Lake Storage is a user-friendly and easy-to-learn solution."

Cons

"Some terminology is not easy to understand when using some interfaces."

What is our primary use case?

We use the tool to aggregate all our information into one particular environment. We have separate environments, but we aggregate the important pieces into one environment so they can be used for reporting and analytics.

What is most valuable?

Azure Data Lake Storage is a user-friendly and easy-to-learn solution.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (376 words)
Animesh.Kumar - PeerSpot user
Senior Solutions Architect at Think Power Solutions
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Nov 26, 2024
Offers effective data management with scalable cloud storage but needs more AI features

Pros

"The most valuable feature is the scalability due to the blob, which allows us to scale our data effectively."

Cons

"It would be beneficial if some AI features were added."

What is our primary use case?

We are using the solution for call monitoring and connecting Data Lakes. We have different data at various locations, both structured and unstructured, which we use for analytics.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the scalability due to the blob, which allows us to scale our data effectively. Data is stored on the blob and Lake, maintaining connectivity through the Data factory. We can write scripts on the Data factory to handle any type of data and store it on the cloud. This has saved us time.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (302 words)
Sebastian Romero - PeerSpot user
Data Engineer at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Jul 22, 2024
Allows file access and reduces cost by optimizing performance

Pros

"The solution is worth the money because it allows you to gain insights into your business and implement forecasting solutions to predict future trends. "

Cons

"When you store your files manually, you can't ensure complete data integrity, which can impact data security."

What is our primary use case?

We have parameters to create three types of data storage. The first is staging, the second is the intermediate, and the third is the target. The target storage contains the cleanest data used for reporting tools. For specific cases in Data Lake projects, we often use files stored in formats such as CSV, which are the most useful for this type of data processing.

How has it helped my organization?

Most of our clients use Excel. We prioritize making data accessible in formats compatible with Excel. We aim to meet these client requirements, for example, with Excel files. However, for big data solutions, it's often more efficient to use formats, which we store in the Data Lake.

*Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Read full review (712 words)
Kerols Alfons - PeerSpot user
BI & Data Engineering Manager at a sports company with 10,001+ employees
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Jun 3, 2024
Allows for seamless integration and secure storage with decent pricing

What is our primary use case?

When dealing with data from various sources or servers, Azure Data Lake Storage allows for seamless integration and secure storage through features like Azure BitLocker encryption. This ensures data integrity and protection, regardless of its origin or destination.

How has it helped my organization?

We focus on the regional messaging for our data housed within it ensures better data management and quality control.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (431 words)
Subba Rao Puvvada - PeerSpot user
VP - Global Delivery Head at Enhops
Verified user of Azure Data Lake Storage
Apr 17, 2024
Has security access policies and helps to store customer data

Pros

"The tool's most valuable feature is security access policies. "

Cons

"The solution needs to improve APIs and make them more accessible. "

What is our primary use case?

We use the Azure Data Lake to store raw customer files exported from their databases. Our pipelines then pick up this data and process it in various ways. For instance, we use Databricks to handle the data processing, transformation, and ETL tasks. The processed data is then stored in SQL Server or converted into other file formats.

What is most valuable?

The tool's most valuable feature is security access policies. 

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (343 words)