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Microsoft Azure vs Alibaba Cloud

Microsoft Azure logo

Microsoft Azure

Software

Open and flexible cloud services

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Alibaba Cloud logo

Alibaba Cloud

Software

Asia's leading cloud computing provider

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; Alibaba Cloud technical support is a separate subscription, from $19.99 a month for Developer up to $8,000 a month for Enterprise, with only Basic included
  • They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, Alibaba Cloud covers Elastic Compute Service.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Azure and Alibaba Cloud differ
AttributeMicrosoft AzureAlibaba Cloud
PlatformsWeb, Api, Desktop, MobileLinux, Windows, Api, Cli
Founded20102009

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 Microsoft Azure

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

Only in Alibaba Cloud

  • Elastic Compute Service
  • Object Storage Service
  • RDS Database
  • MaxCompute
  • Function Compute
  • CDN
  • Load Balancer
  • API Gateway

Both cover

  • Terraform
  • Kubernetes
  • SOC2
  • ISO27001
  • 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 Alibaba Cloud
  • Extending on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructurenot Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud

  • Cloud compute and storage with a strong footprint in China and Asia Pacificnot Microsoft Azure
  • Pay-as-you-go infrastructure without upfront commitmentnot Microsoft Azure
  • Committed-use discounts through savings plans for steady workloadsnot Microsoft Azure
  • CDN and data transfer packages for content deliverynot 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

Alibaba Cloud

  • Technical support is a separate subscription, from $19.99 a month for Developer up to $8,000 a month for Enterprise, with only Basic included
  • Service prices are not shown as a rate card and route through a calculator or sales
  • Committed discounts require savings plans, reserved instances or capacity packages rather than being automatic

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Azure

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

Alibaba Cloud

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • Free tier credits
    • ECS instances
    • Cloud storage
  • Pay-as-You-GoFree
    • Flexible billing
    • No commitments
    • Global reach

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.
Microsoft Azure review

Choose Alibaba Cloud if

  • You need elastic compute service.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
  • You also want object storage service.
Alibaba Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Azure or Alibaba Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure starts at Free and Alibaba Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure or Alibaba Cloud?
Microsoft Azure starts at Free and Alibaba Cloud at Free.
Does Microsoft Azure or Alibaba Cloud run on more platforms?
Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile. Alibaba Cloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
Can I use Microsoft Azure for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Alibaba Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Azure do that Alibaba Cloud cannot?
Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage. Alibaba Cloud covers Elastic Compute Service, Object Storage Service, RDS Database, MaxCompute. Both handle Terraform, Kubernetes, SOC2, ISO27001.
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