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Databases · head to head

CosmosDB vs Wasabi

CosmosDB logo

CosmosDB

Databases

Globally distributed, multi-model database service from Azure

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wasabi logo

Wasabi

Cloud

Hot cloud storage without egress fees

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only CosmosDB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Wasabi 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty
  • They diverge on capability: CosmosDB covers Global Distribution, Wasabi covers Hot Cloud Storage.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CosmosDB and Wasabi actually diverge.

Attributes where CosmosDB and Wasabi differ
AttributeCosmosDBWasabi
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, AzureWeb, API
CategoryDatabasesCloud
Founded19752015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Wasabi

  • Hot Cloud Storage
  • S3 Compatible API
  • Object Lock
  • Versioning
  • Multi-region
  • Data Migration Tools
  • Immutability
  • Ransomware Protection

Both cover

  • Web support

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 Wasabi
  • Serving low latency reads and writes from multiple Azure regionsnot Wasabi
  • Storing document, key value and graph data behind a managed servicenot Wasabi

Wasabi

  • Backup and recoverynot CosmosDB
  • Media storagenot CosmosDB
  • Archive replacementnot CosmosDB
  • Ransomware protectionnot CosmosDB

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

Wasabi

  • 90-day minimum storage duration with no option to delete before full period without penalty
  • Significantly smaller global footprint than AWS with only 16 regions, resulting in higher latency for users in underserved regions
  • Performance can degrade with high-volume transactions requiring throughput management strategies
  • Hot storage only, no cold/archival storage tier for long-term data at lower cost
  • Support responsiveness gaps with teams experiencing multi-day waits for critical issue resolution

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

Wasabi

$7.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Wasabi 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 Wasabi if

  • You need hot cloud storage.
  • You work on Web, API.
  • You also want s3 compatible api.
Wasabi review

Questions people ask

Is CosmosDB or Wasabi better?
Neither clearly leads. CosmosDB starts at Free and Wasabi at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CosmosDB or Wasabi?
CosmosDB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CosmosDB and $7.99/month for Wasabi.
Does CosmosDB or Wasabi run on more platforms?
CosmosDB runs on Web, Azure. Wasabi runs on Web, API.
Can I use CosmosDB for free?
Yes. CosmosDB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Wasabi starts at $7.99/month.
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 Wasabi is typically brought in for.
What can CosmosDB do that Wasabi cannot?
CosmosDB covers Global Distribution, Multi-model APIs, Elastic Scaling, Five Consistency Levels. Wasabi covers Hot Cloud Storage, S3 Compatible API, Object Lock, Versioning. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

CosmosDB: Is there a free tier for Azure Cosmos DB?

Yes, Cosmos DB offers a free tier with 1,000 RU/s of throughput and 25 GB of storage per month for the lifetime of the account, available to new accounts.

Source
Wasabi: What is Wasabi's pricing structure?

Wasabi offers pay-as-you-go pricing at $7.99 per TB per month as of July 2026, with no egress or API request fees. Reserved capacity plans are available for multi-year terms with volume discounts.

Source
CosmosDB: How is Cosmos DB priced after the free tier?

Cosmos DB uses three billing models: provisioned throughput billed per request unit per second, vCore pricing for certain APIs, or serverless consumption pricing where you pay only for requests processed. Reserved capacity offers 20% discount for one year or 30% for three years.

Source
Wasabi: Does Wasabi charge for data downloads or API calls?

No. Wasabi includes zero egress fees and zero API request fees, which is a major cost advantage over AWS S3. Customers can plan their budget to the penny without worrying about surprise data transfer charges.

Source
CosmosDB: Can I change my pricing model after choosing one?

No. Once you select a compute pricing model and API, they cannot be changed. This choice is permanent for that database.

Source
Wasabi: Is there a minimum storage duration requirement?

Yes. Wasabi enforces a 90-day minimum storage term. Users who delete data before 90 days are still charged for the full 90-day period.

Source
CosmosDB: Is there a trial period for Cosmos DB beyond the free tier?

Azure offers a 30-day free trial account for all Azure services. Additionally, Azure AI customers may be eligible for a 90-day free Cosmos DB subscription through the Azure AI Advantage program.

Source
Wasabi: Is Wasabi S3-compatible?

Yes. Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage is fully S3-compatible, meaning organizations can integrate it into existing workflows without rewriting application code used with AWS S3.

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