Software · head to head
Hetzner Cloud vs Microsoft Azure
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Hetzner Cloud cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable; 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
- They diverge on capability: Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Hetzner Cloud and Microsoft Azure actually diverge.
| Attribute | Hetzner Cloud | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Web, Api, Cli | Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile |
| Founded | 1997 | 2010 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), 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 Hetzner Cloud
- Cloud servers
- Block storage
- Object storage
- Load balancers
- Networks
- Firewalls
- Floating IPs
- Backups
Only in Microsoft Azure
- Virtual Machines
- App Service
- SQL Database
- Blob Storage
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Functions
- Service Fabric
- API Management
Both cover
- Terraform
- Kubernetes
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Hetzner Cloud
- Low-cost virtual servers for development and testingnot Microsoft Azure
- European hosting with data held in Germany or Finlandnot Microsoft Azure
- Workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic mattersnot Microsoft Azure
- Self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalersnot Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure
- Running Windows and Linux workloads, databases and AI services on Microsoft's cloudnot Hetzner Cloud
- Extending on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructurenot Hetzner Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Hetzner Cloud
- Cost-Optimized plans are shown as currently unavailable
- The shared-resource tiers are positioned for variable usage and development rather than sustained production workloads
- Regions are limited to Germany, Finland, the United States and Singapore, so latency to other markets is a real constraint
- The uptime guarantee is 99.9 percent, below what the large hyperscalers offer on comparable services
- Support is 24/7 by email, without a phone channel
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
Hetzner Cloud
Free- CX11$3.29/month
- 1 vCPU
- 1GB RAM
- 25GB SSD
- CX21$6.59/month
- 2 vCPU
- 4GB RAM
- 40GB SSD
Microsoft Azure
Free- Free AccountFree
- $200 credit for 30 days
- Popular services 12 months free
- 40+ services always free
Which should you pick?
Choose Hetzner Cloud if
- You need cloud servers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Api, Cli.
- You also want block storage.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Hetzner Cloud or Microsoft Azure better?
- Neither clearly leads. Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Microsoft Azure at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Hetzner Cloud or Microsoft Azure?
- Hetzner Cloud starts at Free and Microsoft Azure at Free.
- Does Hetzner Cloud or Microsoft Azure run on more platforms?
- Hetzner Cloud runs on Web, Api, Cli. Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
- Can I use Hetzner Cloud for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Hetzner Cloud best used for?
- Hetzner Cloud is most often used for low-cost virtual servers for development and testing, european hosting with data held in germany or finland, workloads with heavy egress, where included traffic matters, self-hosting applications away from the hyperscalers. Of those, low-cost virtual servers for development and testing and european hosting with data held in germany or finland are not what Microsoft Azure is typically brought in for.
- What can Hetzner Cloud do that Microsoft Azure cannot?
- Hetzner Cloud covers Cloud servers, Block storage, Object storage, Load balancers. Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage. Both handle Terraform, Kubernetes, Cloud deployment.