Azure Monthly Cost Estimator
Basic (A-Series) – $0.02/hr
General Purpose (D-Series) – $0.09/hr
Compute Optimized (F-Series) – $0.25/hr
Memory Optimized (E-Series) – $0.40/hr
Basic (Included)
Developer ($29/mo)
Standard ($100/mo)
Compute Cost:
$0.00
Storage Cost:
$0.00
Networking (Egress):
$0.00
Support Fee:
$0.00
Total Monthly Estimate:
$0.00
Understanding Azure Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide
Navigating the Microsoft Azure pricing landscape can be complex due to the pay-as-you-go model and the sheer variety of services. This Azure calculator pricing tool helps you estimate the monthly cost of basic infrastructure components like Virtual Machines, storage, and networking.
Key Factors Influencing Azure Costs
Azure costs are not fixed; they fluctuate based on several variables that users must configure correctly to avoid "bill shock."
- Compute Tier: Different VM series (A, D, F, E) are optimized for different tasks. A-series is entry-level, while E-series is designed for high-memory workloads like large databases.
- Region: Azure resources cost different amounts depending on the data center location. For example, East US is often cheaper than Brazil South due to local operating costs.
- Operating System: Windows VMs generally cost more than Linux VMs because the Windows license fee is bundled into the hourly rate.
- Managed Disks: You pay for the capacity of the disk provisioned, not just the data used. Standard HDD, Standard SSD, and Premium SSD have varying price points.
How to Use the Azure Calculator Pricing Tool
To get a realistic estimate, follow these steps:
- Select your VM Tier: Match this to your application requirements.
- Input Instance Count: How many identical servers do you need for load balancing or redundancy?
- Set Hours: A standard month has 730 hours. If your VM only runs during business hours, reduce this to approximately 200 hours to see potential savings.
- Estimate Egress: Azure does not charge for data coming "in," but you are charged for data going "out" to the internet.
Real-World Pricing Example
Suppose you want to host a small web application:
- Instance: 1 x D-Series VM ($0.09/hr)
- Time: Full month (730 hours)
- Storage: 128GB Managed SSD
- Data Transfer: 50GB egress
In this scenario, the compute cost would be approximately $65.70, storage roughly $6.40, and networking about $3.60 (after the free tier), totaling $75.70 per month.
Strategies for Reducing Azure Costs
Once you have your estimate, you can lower it by using Azure Reserved Instances (pre-paying for 1 or 3 years) which can save up to 72%, or by using Azure Hybrid Benefit if you already own Windows Server or SQL Server licenses.