Software · head to head
Microsoft Azure vs OVHcloud
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; OVHcloud public Cloud pricing table lists a scheduled price change with a column labeled Price on April 1, 2026, showing current rates are promotional and set to change on that date
- They diverge on capability: Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, OVHcloud covers Public Cloud.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Microsoft Azure and OVHcloud actually diverge.
| Attribute | Microsoft Azure | OVHcloud |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | €3.5/month |
| Pricing model | usage-based | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile | Linux, Windows, Api, Cli |
| Founded | 2010 | 1999 |
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 OVHcloud
- Public Cloud
- Private Cloud
- Bare Metal Servers
- Managed Kubernetes
- Object Storage
- Block Storage
- Load Balancers
- Databases
Both cover
- Terraform
- Kubernetes
- SOC2
- 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 OVHcloud
- Extending on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft 365 estates into cloud infrastructurenot OVHcloud
OVHcloud
- Businesses running public cloud compute and storage workloads on European infrastructurenot 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
OVHcloud
- Public Cloud pricing table lists a scheduled price change with a column labeled Price on April 1, 2026, showing current rates are promotional and set to change on that date
- Free network traffic and free Object Storage API calls exclude the Asia-Pacific region
Pricing, plan by plan
Microsoft Azure
Free- Free AccountFree
- $200 credit for 30 days
- Popular services 12 months free
- 40+ services always free
OVHcloud
€3.5/month- Public Cloud Starter$3.5/month
- 1 vCPU
- 1 GB RAM
- 10 GB storage
- Bare Metal$49/month
- Dedicated hardware
- High performance
- Full control
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.
Choose OVHcloud if
- You need public cloud.
- You work on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
- You also want private cloud.
Questions people ask
- Is Microsoft Azure or OVHcloud better?
- Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Azure starts at Free and OVHcloud at €3.5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure or OVHcloud?
- Microsoft Azure has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Azure and €3.5/month for OVHcloud.
- Does Microsoft Azure or OVHcloud run on more platforms?
- Microsoft Azure runs on Web, Api, Desktop, Mobile. OVHcloud runs on Linux, Windows, Api, Cli.
- Can I use Microsoft Azure for free?
- Yes. Microsoft Azure has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. OVHcloud starts at €3.5/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 OVHcloud is typically brought in for.
- What can Microsoft Azure do that OVHcloud cannot?
- Microsoft Azure covers Virtual Machines, App Service, SQL Database, Blob Storage. OVHcloud covers Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Bare Metal Servers, Managed Kubernetes. Both handle Terraform, Kubernetes, SOC2, Cloud deployment.