AWS vs Microsoft Azure: Pricing Comparison 2026
Side-by-side pricing comparison of AWS and Microsoft Azure. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.
Bottom line: Microsoft Azure starts at $10/mo, making it $2010/mo cheaper than AWS ($2020/mo). Microsoft Azure offers a free plan.
Last updated: March 16, 2026
AWS vs Microsoft Azure: Quick Pricing Facts
| Feature | AWS | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2020/mo | $10/mo |
| Number of Plans | 4 | 4 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | usage-based | usage-based |
| Annual Discount | N/A | N/A |
Microsoft Azure is the more affordable option, starting at $10/mo compared to AWS' $2020/mo. Both are Hosting & Infra tools with 8 combined pricing plans and 11 features compared.
Microsoft Azure stands out with a free plan for getting started.
Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your Hosting & Infra needs.
| Pricing Plans |  AWS Try it free |  Microsoft Azure Try it free |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | How does AWS pricing work? Custom pricing | |
| Tier 2 | How do you pay for AWS? Custom pricing | Standard $10/monthCheapest $120 / year Includes
|
| Tier 3 | Is AWS Private Pricing right for you? Custom pricing | PremiumPopular $50/monthCheapest $600 / year Includes
|
| Tier 4 | Pricing for AWS products $2020/monthCheapest | Enterprise Custom pricing Includes
|
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Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure offers a free plan, starts at $2010/mo lower ($10/mo vs $2020/mo).
Based on pricing data only. Review the full comparison below for your specific needs.
Best value: Microsoft Azure
Try Microsoft Azure freeWhich Should You Choose?
Choose AWS if:
- •You prefer AWS's usage-based model with its 4-tier structure
- •AWS's focused feature set keeps your team in control without tool bloat
- •Your Hosting & Infra team's workflow matches AWS's feature organization more naturally
Choose Microsoft Azure if:
- •You want lower per-user costs—Microsoft Azure starts at $10/mo, saving $2010/mo compared to AWS at $2020/mo
- •You need a free plan with Basic features, Limited usage—Microsoft Azure offers no-cost access with no credit card required
- •You want more features built-in—Microsoft Azure offers 11 additional features across its plans
Microsoft Azure is the more affordable choice [1], starting at $10/mo compared to AWS's $2020/mo. For a 50-person team on paid plans, this translates to Microsoft Azure saving approximately $100500/month. Microsoft Azure offers 4 pricing tiers compared to AWS's 4, giving you more granular control over scaling costs as your team grows. Across all tiers, Microsoft Azure provides 11 total features versus 0 for AWS, offering a richer feature set depending on your specific needs. For budget-conscious teams seeking predictable costs, Microsoft Azure delivers superior value. AWS may justify its premium for specialized needs, but most organizations will find Microsoft Azure the smarter financial choice.
Frequently Asked Questions: AWS vs Microsoft Azure
Which is cheaper, AWS or Microsoft Azure?
How many pricing plans does AWS have vs Microsoft Azure?
Does AWS or Microsoft Azure offer a free plan?
Can I save money by paying annually for AWS or Microsoft Azure?
What is the most popular Microsoft Azure plan?
Does AWS or Microsoft Azure offer custom enterprise pricing?
How do AWS and Microsoft Azure compare for Hosting & Infra?
Sources
- AWS Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
- Microsoft Azure Official Pricing— Vendor pricing page
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