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CosmosDB vs Cloudinary

CosmosDB logo

CosmosDB

Software

Globally distributed, multi-model database service from Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
C

Cloudinary

Software

Image and video API for developers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: CosmosDB autoscale provisioned throughput enforces a minimum of 1,000 RU/s, billed hourly whether or not the database is used; Cloudinary paid plans jump from a free tier straight to $224 per month, with usage priced on transformations, storage, and bandwidth credits that consume quickly at scale

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CosmosDB and Cloudinary actually diverge.

Attributes where CosmosDB and Cloudinary differ
AttributeCosmosDBCloudinary
Pricing modelusage-basedfreemium
PlatformsWeb, AzureWeb
Founded1975Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in CosmosDB

  • Global Distribution
  • Multi-model APIs
  • Elastic Scaling
  • Five Consistency Levels
  • SLA-backed Latency
  • Automatic Indexing
  • Serverless
  • Azure Functions

Only in Cloudinary

Nothing recorded that CosmosDB does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

CosmosDB

  • Running a globally distributed multi model database on Azurenot Cloudinary
  • Serving low latency reads and writes from multiple Azure regionsnot Cloudinary
  • Storing document, key value and graph data behind a managed servicenot Cloudinary

Cloudinary

No use cases recorded yet. See the Cloudinary review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

CosmosDB

  • Autoscale provisioned throughput enforces a minimum of 1,000 RU/s, billed hourly whether or not the database is used
  • Provisioned throughput is charged in every region the account is replicated to, so multi region accounts multiply the RU bill
  • Storage charges cover data, indexes and backups in each replicated region
  • Egress out of Azure and between regions is charged, though ingress is free
  • The free allowance is one account per Azure subscription, limited to 1,000 RU/s and 25 GB
  • RU/s rates vary by region and are only shown through the pricing calculator rather than a flat published rate

Cloudinary

  • Paid plans jump from a free tier straight to $224 per month, with usage priced on transformations, storage, and bandwidth credits that consume quickly at scale

Pricing, plan by plan

CosmosDB

Free
  • Free TierFree
    • 1000 RU/s
    • 25GB storage
    • First 12 months
  • ServerlessFree
    • Pay per request
    • Auto-scaling
    • Event-driven workloads

Cloudinary

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Cloudinary review.

Which should you pick?

Choose CosmosDB if

  • You need global distribution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Azure.
  • You also want multi-model apis.
CosmosDB review

Choose Cloudinary if

  • You want to start without paying.
Cloudinary review

Questions people ask

Is CosmosDB or Cloudinary better?
Neither clearly leads. CosmosDB starts at Free and Cloudinary at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CosmosDB or Cloudinary?
CosmosDB starts at Free and Cloudinary at Free.
Does CosmosDB or Cloudinary run on more platforms?
CosmosDB runs on Web, Azure. Cloudinary runs on Web.
Can I use CosmosDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is CosmosDB best used for?
CosmosDB is most often used for running a globally distributed multi model database on azure, serving low latency reads and writes from multiple azure regions, storing document, key value and graph data behind a managed service. Of those, running a globally distributed multi model database on azure and serving low latency reads and writes from multiple azure regions are not what Cloudinary is typically brought in for.
What can CosmosDB do that Cloudinary cannot?
CosmosDB covers Global Distribution, Multi-model APIs, Elastic Scaling, Five Consistency Levels.
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