Software · head to head
Microsoft Azure vs Akamai
The short version
- Only Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: 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; Akamai only the cloud computing services carry published rates; security and content delivery products require contacting sales for a price
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, Akamai covers CDN.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure and Akamai actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Azure | Akamai |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $1000/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile | Web, Api |
| Founded | 2010 | 1998 |
Identical on both: 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 Microsoft Azure
- Virtual Machines
- App Service
- SQL Database
- Blob Storage
- Azure Cosmos DB
- Functions
- Service Fabric
- API Management
Only in Akamai
- CDN
- DDoS Protection
- Web Application Firewall
- Bot Management
- Image Optimization
- Video Platform
- API Gateway
- Analytics
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Microsoft Azure
- Running Windows and Linux workloads, databases and AI services on Microsoft's cloudnot Akamai
- Extending on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructurenot Akamai
Akamai
- Content delivery and web performance through Ion and adaptive media deliverynot Microsoft Azure
- DDoS protection, bot management and API securitynot Microsoft Azure
- Running compute, Kubernetes and managed databases on Akamai's cloudnot Microsoft Azure
- Edge compute with EdgeWorkersnot Microsoft Azure
- Zero trust access for enterprise applicationsnot Microsoft Azure
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Akamai
- Only the cloud computing services carry published rates; security and content delivery products require contacting sales for a price
- Cloud pricing varies by region across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific rather than being a single rate
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Azure
Free- Free AccountFree
- $200 credit for 30 days
- Popular services 12 months free
- 40+ services always free
Akamai
$1000/month- CDN$1000/month
- Content delivery
- Global edge network
- Real-time analytics
- Security Suite$2000/month
- DDoS protection
- WAF
- Bot management
Which should you pick?
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 Microsoft Azure or Akamai better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure starts at Free and Akamai at $1000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure or Akamai?
- Microsoft Azure has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure and $1000/month for Akamai.
- Does Microsoft Azure or Akamai run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile. Akamai runs on Web, Api.
- Can I use Microsoft Azure for free?
- Yes. Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Akamai starts at $1000/month.
- What is Microsoft Azure best used for?
- Microsoft Azure is most often used for running windows and linux workloads, databases and ai services on microsoft's cloud, extending on-premises active directory and microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructure. Of those, running windows and linux workloads, databases and ai services on microsoft's cloud and extending on-premises active directory and microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructure are not what Akamai is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Azure do that Akamai cannot?
- Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage. Akamai covers CDN, DDoS Protection, Web Application Firewall, Bot Management. Both handle Cloud deployment.