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Founder at Druansh
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Globally distributed multi-model database service and robust stability
Pros and Cons
  • "It's highly scalable and supports consistency, security, and multiple security options."
  • "The biggest problem is the learning curve and other database services like RDS."

What is our primary use case?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB can be used for various purposes. The query language used for Cosmos DB is very similar to SQL, which gives it an advantage. It's a globally distributed multi-model database service, meaning it supports multiple data models, including documents, key-value pairs, graphs, and time series data models.

It's highly scalable and supports consistency, security, and multiple security options, such as REST and transit encryption. It also provides automatic support for these options. These are some top-level benefits of using Cosmos DB, making it a highly versatile and useful tool.

What is most valuable?

The multi-model database is the most valuable feature. 

What needs improvement?

One thing that concerns me is the cost, especially for smaller workloads. Cosmos DB is a little more expensive than other database services, particularly if you have tight-traffic models. However, it does have a few advantages, such as being a multi-model database. The biggest problem is the learning curve and other database services like RDS. 

Additionally, advanced analytics capabilities like real-time analytics and machine learning are not embedded in Cosmos DB. Vendor lock-in is a big concern. Cosmos DB is a proprietary database service offered by Microsoft that might not be compatible with other databases. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for three years. I am using the latest version.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
850,671 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

From a stability perspective, it's a pretty robust solution designed to offer high availability and fault tolerance. It provides multiple levels of redundancy and automatic failover to ensure data availability and reliability. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution and has built-in backup and recovery capabilities. We developed it for one of our clients with around 20-25 users.

How are customer service and support?

When compared to other cloud platforms like GCP and AWS, I think Microsoft needs to work on its tech support.

How was the initial setup?

There is some learning curve associated with this software. It becomes relatively easy to implement if you have an expert to work with. 

The deployment process and maintenance depend on the size of the product and what you're trying to migrate. Generally, one cloud solution architect and one big data developer with Azure experience should be sufficient.

What was our ROI?

We could see an ROI. The whole idea of migrating to the cloud was for a better ROI, and we can see that now that the customer has moved to the cloud.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

As your data grows, the licensing cost can be expensive.

What other advice do I have?

If your existing infrastructure already uses Microsoft services or is more of a Microsoft-dependent solution, it's best to be on Microsoft Azure cloud. This is because it integrates very well, and there is a smooth integration with other Microsoft products that are already running on our products. 

You can also leverage some of your existing licenses, saving you a lot of costs when you move to the cloud. That's one solution I would suggest for anyone who is moving from on-premise to the cloud. 

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Private Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
AbhishekSingh11 - PeerSpot reviewer
Infrastructure Solutions Architect at a real estate/law firm with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Performs well, easy to install, and the technical support is good, but the user interface should be improved
Pros and Cons
  • "It's not a specific feature that I value, but the scalability of this system is the most impressive aspect."
  • "It should offer a simple user interface for querying Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB."

What is our primary use case?

We have a massive quantity of data that we need to maintain, and we can't put it in a relational database since we need all of the data and want it to be queried quickly.

We maintain it in non-relational databases such as Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.

What is most valuable?

It's not a specific feature that I value, but the scalability of this system is the most impressive aspect.

What needs improvement?

The UI should be improved since if you provide the option to query directly when signing into the Azure portal, it makes no sense if you have such a poor UI for querying that you can't even feed the reports correctly. 

It should offer a simple user interface for querying Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for a long time, almost forever.

We are always working with the latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's fairly stable. I have no complaints about the stability of Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is fully scalable.

Users do not connect to Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB directly. Our APIs connect to Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB and are then used by the front end. 

Estimating the number of users is impossible.

How are customer service and support?

Because our complete setup is in Microsoft, we have access to the most premium Microsoft assistance, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We have never had a problem with technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The RU's use case determines our license fees. It fluctuates based on how many RUs we have. It's not a fixed-line.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Because our whole solution was hosted on Azure, this was the default option for us. We didn't look into any other possibilities.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others who are interested in using it.

I would rate Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
850,671 professionals have used our research since 2012.
AhmedRamy - PeerSpot reviewer
CEO at TMentors,
Real User
Top 20
A scalable solution that has no glitches and provides graphical representations of data
Pros and Cons
  • "The graphical representation of data is the most valuable feature of the solution."
  • "The support tickets are not cheap."

What is our primary use case?

We mainly use it for products that are based on graph concepts. We are using it for mobile applications and real-time analytics.

How has it helped my organization?

We have scaled it from 400 users to more than 1000 clients. We were able to scale efficiently during COVID-19.

What is most valuable?

The graphical representation of data is the most valuable feature of the solution. We did not face any glitches.

What needs improvement?

The support tickets are not cheap.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution since 2017.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s stability an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We had around 300,000 users. They were distributed globally. I rate the tool’s scalability a nine out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The support team is not competent. We end up with the wrong agents sometimes. Sometimes, we must buy support tickets. It is not a good idea to have tickets that cost a lot.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Negative

How was the initial setup?

It is a cloud-only solution.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We have also used MongoDB and SQL Server.

What other advice do I have?

We had some challenges at the beginning because our team did not know how to optimize the tool. They made some expensive applications. However, we were able to cut it down by 95%. Overall, I rate the product an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Aditya_Sharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Quality Engineer-III at Anheuser-Busch InBev
Real User
Top 10
A stable solution that can be used for data engineering, but its access request takes time
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is fast, and its performance is good compared to normal SQL DB."
  • "Sometimes, the solution's access request takes time, which should be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I use Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for data engineering.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is fast, and its performance is good compared to normal SQL DB.

What needs improvement?

Sometimes, the solution's access request takes time, which should be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is a scalable solution. More than 100 users use the solution in our organization.

How was the initial setup?

The solution's initial setup is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

The solution's deployment time depends on how complex the job is. Learning-wise, it takes a few weeks to get your hands on, and then you can get started from there. The solution was implemented through an in-house team in our organization.

What other advice do I have?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is deployed on-cloud in our organization.

I would recommend Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB to other users.

Overall, I rate Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB a seven out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Technical Architect at LTI - Larsen & Toubro Infotech
Real User
Top 5
Is quite flexible and offers a complete concentration on coding
Pros and Cons
  • "It is non-SQL and helps to manage and manipulate data from the coding, rather than direct data and complex queries."
  • "I have been a devoted Microsoft fan, but Redis DB's memory caching capabilities are really making progress. Even if Cosmos DB is continuously improving and is quite advanced in the field of internal memory optimization, I would still recommend Redis DB to a customer."

What is our primary use case?

We handle JSON data and it is compatible with Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB. 

What is most valuable?

I have found Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB different from other SQL databases like RDBMS. It is non-SQL and helps to manage and manipulate data from the coding, rather than direct data and complex queries. It is quite flexible and offers a complete concentration on the coding part only. Even if one lacks expertise in complex queries, JSON and Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB are quite compatible with each other and makes the database options more enhanced and easy to operate. The additional SQL features allow you to go to Azure's portal and get the queries solved. 

What needs improvement?

I have been a devoted Microsoft fan, but Redis DB's memory caching capabilities are really making progress. Even if Cosmos DB is continuously improving and is quite advanced in the field of internal memory optimization, I would still recommend Redis DB to a customer. My dilemma still lies in the price of both solutions. I believe if Redis DB is superior and pricier than Cosmos DB, customers will be reluctant to use Redis DB.  

Memory streaming and various optimizations contribute to higher costs but also increased speed. Currently, there's nothing specific I can pinpoint that needs to be added – I haven't made any purchases yet. However, I am inclined to recommend working with it. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have worked with Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. I rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution. I rate the scalability a nine out of ten. 

How are customer service and support?

We haven’t faced any issues that would make us contact service support or raise tickets

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The solution's initial setup is easy. The deployment took almost one day. We migrated the services from the CRM system, converted them into JSON, and deployed it. I would rate the initial setup an eight out of ten. 

What other advice do I have?

If a customer needs to store JSON data, and the solution doesn't require complex structure and reporting like BI reports and RDBMS, opting for a NoSQL database could be ideal. NoSQL databases are suitable when data isn't structured in a relational manner and when extensive normalization isn't a priority. For efficiently handling JSON data for UI purposes or other needs, a NoSQL database like Cosmos DB is the way to go.

However, in the NoSQL landscape, various options like Redis DB, CouchDB, MongoDB, and Cosmos DB exist. If a preference leans towards Microsoft technologies, then Cosmos DB becomes a logical choice. Comparing Cosmos DB with alternatives like Redis DB is advisable before making a final decision. Thus, my typical recommendation involves considering these factors.

I would Cosmos DB a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer2595888 - PeerSpot reviewer
Company at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
Helped improve the search result quality of our customers' organization
Pros and Cons
  • "The customer gave us the feedback that they are able to easily find the data they are looking for. It is very quick."
  • "Our customer is very satisfied with it."
  • "There are no particular factors that need improvement. There is a little bit of a learning curve with scaling workloads, but it works smoothly."

How has it helped my organization?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB has helped improve the search result quality of our customers' organization. The customer gave us the feedback that they are able to easily find the data they are looking for. It is very quick. That is the best feedback. They have a large amount of data, and they can find it quickly.

What is most valuable?

Our customer is very satisfied with it. Our branch does not use it yet. We used it for a customer, and the customer is very satisfied so far.

What needs improvement?

There are no particular factors that need improvement. There is a little bit of a learning curve with scaling workloads, but it works smoothly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I am still learning it and have only used it for one application so far. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

No issues have been reported regarding the stability. It is very fast.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

There was a little bit of a learning curve with scaling workloads, but overall, it went smoothly.

How was the initial setup?

I have not had any challenges. However, the configuration done in a session at Microsoft Ignite looked complicated. It would be a bit challenging to do the same configuration. 

There is a little bit of a learning curve. The onboarding process for the team took about two weeks.

What was our ROI?

The only feedback the customer gave us was that it was way cheaper than they expected. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The customer had a high budget, but it turned out to be a little bit cheaper than what they expected. I am not sure how much they have spent so far, but they are satisfied with the pricing.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this product. I would like my organization to develop and explore it further. I would rate Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Ligia Godoi - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Service Delivery Manager at DXC
Real User
Makes data ingestion, using data in different applications, and connecting with other tools easier
Pros and Cons
  • "What I like about Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is that it's easy to do data ingestion and use the data in different applications. If you talk about business intelligence such as the Power BI tool, it's easy to connect because both are Microsoft products. With Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, it's easy to connect and do data ingestion."
  • "It would be nice to have more options to ingest the data, for example, more file options or more search options. Currently, you can use JSON, but if there were other file types you can use for data ingestion, that would be nice."

What is our primary use case?

The company is using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for business intelligence information, specifically for demand management.

What is most valuable?

What I like about Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is that it's easy to do data ingestion and use the data in different applications. If you talk about business intelligence such as the Power BI tool, it's easy to connect because both are Microsoft products. With Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, it's easy to connect and do data ingestion.

What needs improvement?

At the moment, because I'm still new in terms of using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, I don't have any feedback regarding areas for improvement in the product. So far, it has met all the expectations and needs of my company.

It would be nice to have more options to ingest the data, for example, more file options or more search options. Currently, you can use JSON, but if there were other file types you can use for data ingestion, that would be nice. This is the additional feature I'd like to see in the next release of Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB for the past six months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is a stable product.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is a scalable product.

How are customer service and support?

We have a partnership with Microsoft, so the response time of the technical support team for Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is really good at the moment.

How was the initial setup?

Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB was easy to set up.

What other advice do I have?

I've been using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB, a cloud DB solution. It's deployed in a cloud environment, on a public cloud with security for ourselves.

My company is a partner of Microsoft and also a reseller.

My advice to people looking into implementing Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is that it would be good for them to use, specifically if they are looking for a NoSQL database to ingest the data and do data discovery using the data in a BI tool. It's easy to ingest the data and work with the data in Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB and understand that, because it is not a SQL database, which means it's not as structured. You can add data, and then do a data discovery, and use it the best way for you. I would recommend Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.

My rating for Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB is eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Raed Gharzeddine - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical advisor and software architect at Technical advisor and software architect
Real User
Provides auto-scalability and is a multimodal NoSQL database
Pros and Cons
  • "One of the nice features is the ability to auto-scale"
  • "I hope they improve the service. Before last year, improvements on Cosmos DB were very slow."

What is our primary use case?

We use different Azure services in the development of our solutions. Some of the services we use are Azure Cognitive Services, ADB2C, and SignalR.

For most of the solutions, we use a mixture of Azure SQL Database and Cosmos DB. We use Cosmos DB when the data size is huge, and we need to scale.

Currently, only two people in my organization are working on this solution: one developer and myself. In the future, I think once the system gets deployed, we will have thousands of users. 

What is most valuable?

Cosmos DB solves certain problems that relational databases cannot handle. It's a multimodal NoSQL database, and it's very scalable. One of the nice features is the ability to auto-scale, plus Cosmos DB's API is easy to use. 

What needs improvement?

I hope they improve the service. Before last year, improvements on Cosmos DB were very slow. I didn't see many changes in the functionality.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate the stability as nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's very scalable and fast.

How are customer service and support?

I had developer support with Microsoft Azure. I faced a problem a few years ago, and they helped me solve it.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

It's very easy to set up Cosmos DB. First, you decide what type of API to use, like SQL, Graph, etc., or if you want support for MongoDB or Cassandra APIs. I usually use SQL API. Once you choose the type of API, you create an account and a database. Then you create containers, and you can easily write queries.

What was our ROI?

I believe there will be a return on investment because using cloud solutions will remove all capital expenses. Cosmos DB's auto-scaling options minimize the cost. Choosing "pay as you go" services cuts costs especially when users are not using the system.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I hope Microsoft lowers the cost further.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated MongoDB and Cassandra, 

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution as eight out of ten.

The APIs are improving and are easy to use. It is easy to set up a new database, and the auto scalability and support for different models are good features.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user