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Backup · head to head

Dell EMC NetWorker vs Microsoft Azure

Dell EMC NetWorker logo

Dell EMC NetWorker

Backup

Unified data protection for the enterprise

From
$80/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Azure logo

Microsoft Azure

Cloud

Open and flexible cloud services

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: Dell EMC NetWorker covers ProtectPoint integration, Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dell EMC NetWorker and Microsoft Azure actually diverge.

Attributes where Dell EMC NetWorker and Microsoft Azure differ
AttributeDell EMC NetWorkerMicrosoft Azure
Starting price$80/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebWeb, Api, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryBackupCloud
Founded19842010

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 Dell EMC NetWorker

  • ProtectPoint integration
  • Instant access
  • Cloud tiering
  • Federated deduplication
  • Block-based backup
  • Virtual synthetic full
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

Only in Microsoft Azure

  • Virtual Machines
  • App Service
  • SQL Database
  • Blob Storage
  • Azure Cosmos DB
  • Functions
  • Service Fabric
  • API Management

What people use each for

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

Dell EMC NetWorker

  • Data protectionnot Microsoft Azure
  • Disaster recoverynot Microsoft Azure
  • Business continuitynot Microsoft Azure
  • Ransomware protectionnot Microsoft Azure
  • Compliancenot Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure

  • Cloud infrastructure and computingnot Dell EMC NetWorker
  • Database and storage servicesnot Dell EMC NetWorker
  • AI and machine learning servicesnot Dell EMC NetWorker
  • Enterprise application hostingnot Dell EMC NetWorker

Where each one falls short

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

Dell EMC NetWorker

Nothing recorded yet. See the Dell EMC NetWorker review.

Microsoft Azure

  • The 12 months of free services is available only to new customers who have not previously had an Azure account or received 12 months of free services
  • The 12 months free offer is not available to customers who sign up directly for pay as you go in China and India
  • Customers who try Azure free must move to pay as you go within 30 days to keep receiving the 12 months of free services
  • Free services are capped at specified monthly amounts, and only some of them are always free

Pricing, plan by plan

Dell EMC NetWorker

$80/month
  • NetWorker$80/month
    • ProtectPoint
    • Instant access
    • Cloud tiering

Microsoft Azure

Free
  • Free AccountFree
    • $200 credit for 30 days
    • Popular services 12 months free
    • 40+ services always free

Which should you pick?

Choose Dell EMC NetWorker if

  • You need protectpoint integration.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want instant access.
Dell EMC NetWorker review

Choose Microsoft Azure if

  • You need virtual machines.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want app service.
Microsoft Azure review

Questions people ask

Is Dell EMC NetWorker or Microsoft Azure better?
Neither clearly leads. Dell EMC NetWorker starts at $80/month and Microsoft Azure at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dell EMC NetWorker or Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $80/month for Dell EMC NetWorker and Free for Microsoft Azure.
Does Dell EMC NetWorker or Microsoft Azure run on more platforms?
Dell EMC NetWorker runs on Windows, Linux, Web. Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Microsoft Azure for free?
Yes. Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dell EMC NetWorker starts at $80/month.
What is Dell EMC NetWorker best used for?
Dell EMC NetWorker is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Microsoft Azure is typically brought in for.
What can Dell EMC NetWorker do that Microsoft Azure cannot?
Dell EMC NetWorker covers ProtectPoint integration, Instant access, Cloud tiering, Federated deduplication. Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dell EMC NetWorker: How much does Dell EMC Networker cost?

Pricing information for Dell EMC Networker is not publicly available online. Contact Dell directly for enterprise data protection software pricing and licensing options.

Source
Microsoft Azure: How much does Microsoft Azure cost?

Azure uses consumption-based pricing where you pay only for resources used and scale as you grow, with no fixed monthly fee. Prices are listed in USD globally, and pricing varies by service, region, and usage patterns.

Source
Dell EMC NetWorker: What licensing options does Dell EMC Networker offer?

Specific licensing options and pricing tiers for Networker are not disclosed on accessible web pages. Dell sales team provides custom quotes based on enterprise backup and recovery requirements.

Source
Microsoft Azure: How can I save money on Azure services?

Azure offers savings up to 65% on select compute services through Azure Savings Plans with one- or three-year commitments. Using Azure Hybrid Benefit with existing Windows Server and SQL Server licenses plus reservations can save up to 85% compared to standard rates.

Source
Microsoft Azure: Does Azure offer a free tier?

Azure provides free tier services for new users and perpetually free options, including free Spot Virtual Machines, dev/test pricing for development workloads, and access to the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate monthly costs before deployment.

Source
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