Software · head to head
IBM Cloud vs Microsoft Azure
The short version
- Each has a real cost: IBM Cloud the USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only; 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: IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which IBM Cloud and Microsoft Azure actually diverge.
| Attribute | IBM Cloud | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, Api, Cli | Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile |
| Founded | 2013 | 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 IBM Cloud
- Virtual Servers
- Bare Metal
- Cloud Foundry
- Watson AI
- Blockchain
- Databases
- API Gateway
- Ansible
Only in Microsoft Azure
- Virtual Machines
- App Service
- SQL Database
- Blob Storage
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Functions
- Service Fabric
- API Management
Both cover
- Kubernetes
- Terraform
- Kubernetes
- SOC2
- ISO27001
- HIPAA
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
IBM Cloud
- Running containerized and VM workloads on IBM's public cloudnot Microsoft Azure
- Building on Watson APIs and IBM middleware as managed servicesnot Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure
- Running Windows and Linux workloads, databases and AI services on Microsoft's cloudnot IBM Cloud
- Extending on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructurenot IBM Cloud
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
IBM Cloud
- The USD 200 starter cloud credit is valid for 30 days only
- The larger promotional credits are time boxed: USD 1,000 for Bare Metal Servers for VPC over 120 days, USD 2,500 for Power Virtual Server over 90 days, and USD 5,000 for Backup and Recovery over 90 days
- The USD 5,000 Backup and Recovery promotion is valid for new clients only and requires a checkout promo code
- The listed promotions carry an expiry date of 31 December 2026
- Beyond the free tier the account is pay as you go, so cost tracks usage with no published cap
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
IBM Cloud
Free- Lite PlanFree
- Free services
- Limited resources
- 30-day trial
- Standard PlanFree
- Pay-as-you-go
- Enterprise support
- Advanced services
Microsoft Azure
Free- Free AccountFree
- $200 credit for 30 days
- Popular services 12 months free
- 40+ services always free
Which should you pick?
Choose IBM Cloud if
- You need virtual servers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
- You also want bare metal.
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 IBM Cloud or Microsoft Azure better?
- Neither clearly leads. IBM 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, IBM Cloud or Microsoft Azure?
- IBM Cloud starts at Free and Microsoft Azure at Free.
- Does IBM Cloud or Microsoft Azure run on more platforms?
- IBM Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli. Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile.
- Can I use IBM Cloud for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is IBM Cloud best used for?
- IBM Cloud is most often used for running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud, building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services. Of those, running containerized and vm workloads on ibm's public cloud and building on watson apis and ibm middleware as managed services are not what Microsoft Azure is typically brought in for.
- What can IBM Cloud do that Microsoft Azure cannot?
- IBM Cloud covers Virtual Servers, Bare Metal, Cloud Foundry, Watson AI. Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage. Both handle Kubernetes, Terraform, Kubernetes, SOC2.