• HOME
  • CATEGORIES

    • CATEGORIES

    • Browse All Categories
  • FOR VENDORS

    • FOR VENDORS

    • Log In to Vendor Portal
    • Get Started
  • REVIEWS

    • REVIEWS

    • Write a Review
    • Product Reviews
    • Vendor Directory
    • Product Comparisons
  • GARTNER PEER COMMUNITY™
  • GARTNER.COM
  • Community GuidelinesListing GuidelinesBrowse VendorsRules of EngagementFAQPrivacyTerms of Service
    ©2026 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.
    All rights reserved.
  • Categories

    • No categories available

      Browse All Categories

      Select a category to view markets

  • For Vendors

    • Log In to Vendor Portal 

    • Get Started 

  • Write a Review

Join / Sign In
  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Microsoft Azure
Logo of Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure

byMicrosoft
in
4.5
Market Presence: Strategic Cloud Platform Services, Network Security Microsegmentation

Overview

Product Information on Microsoft Azure

Updated 13th October 2025

What is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing software that offers a range of services including virtual machines, databases, networking, storage, artificial intelligence, and analytics. The software enables organizations to build, deploy, and manage applications across a global network of data centers. It allows users to scale resources as required and supports multiple operating systems and development frameworks. Azure provides tools for security, compliance, and disaster recovery to help address business continuity challenges. It is designed to support workloads from simple web hosting to complex data analysis, allowing businesses to optimize infrastructure management and operational efficiency.

Microsoft Azure Pricing

Microsoft Azure software uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where charges are based on usage of resources such as computing, storage, networking, and other services. The software also offers reserved instance pricing options for certain resources, enabling cost predictability over a fixed term. There are free tier options for eligible usage, and additional enterprise agreements for organizations seeking customized pricing and billing structures.

Overall experience with Microsoft Azure

Degree Evaluation & Award Coordinator
Gov't/PS/ED <5,000 Employees, Education
FAVORABLE

“Highly reliable cloud operations offset by steep learning curve and billing confusion”

5.0
Jul 20, 2026
This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions. This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions. This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions.
Marketing Manager
1B - 3B USD, Hardware
CRITICAL

“Scalable Azure services with strong MS365 integration, but complex setup”

3.0
Jun 23, 2026
This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions. This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions. This text serves as a placeholder and does not reflect the user’s review responses or opinions.

About Company

Company Description

Updated 11th August 2023

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft is dedicated to advancing human and organizational achievement. Microsoft Security helps protect people and data against cyberthreats to give peace of mind.

Company Details

Updated 25th March 2024
Company type
Public
Year Founded
1975
Head office location
Redmond, Washington, United States
Number of employees
10000+
Annual Revenue
30B+ USD
Website
https://microsoft.com

Do You Manage Peer Insights at Microsoft?

Access Vendor Portal to update and manage your profile.

Key Insights

A Snapshot of What Matters - Based on Validated User Reviews

Top Microsoft Azure Alternatives

Logo of Amazon Web Services
1. Amazon Web Services
4.6
(5267 Ratings)
Logo of Google Cloud Platform
2. Google Cloud Platform
4.7
(2009 Ratings)
Logo of Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)
3. Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)
4.7
(782 Ratings)
View All Alternatives

Peer Discussions

Microsoft Azure Reviews and Ratings

4.5

(2401 Ratings)

Rating Distribution

5 Star
45%
4 Star
48%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Why ratings and reviews count differ?
  • Degree Evaluation & Award Coordinator
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Highly reliable cloud operations offset by steep learning curve and billing confusion

    5.0
    Jul 20, 2026
    My overall experience with Microsoft Azure has been very positive because it provides a highly reliable and secure foundation for running our digital record systems and institutional tools. The primary reason this platform stands out is its ability to ensure our essential student evaluation systems, digital archives and credit processing databases remain accessible around the clock without unexpected downtime. When you are responsible for auditing student records, verifying degree requirements and processing graduation awards on tight administrative deadlines, having a cloud infrastructure that never goes down gives us immense peace of mind. On the operational side, identity management, backup management and self-service access have worked remarkably well for our day-to-day administrative needs. The identity management system makes controlling user access effortless, allowing us to enforce strict single sign-on security so only verified staff can view sensitive student files. The automated backup management is another massive safety net, constantly protecting our historical evaluation logs and student records from data loss without requiring manual intervention. Additionally, self-service access allows our tech team to quickly spin up extra virtual storage or specialized database tools whenever our processing volume spikes during graduation season, keeping our workflows moving fast. The platform's global coverage and flexible metered billing structure have also contributed possibly to our operations. The broad global coverage ensures fast connection speeds and high reliability regardless of where staff members are logging in from across our various campus sites. Metered billing model allows our institution to pay only for the exact amount of cloud computing power and storage space we consume each month, preventing us from overspending on idle infrastructure during slower periods of the academic calendar.
  • Degree Evaluation & Award Coordinator
    Gov't/PS/Ed
    Education
    Review Source

    Highly reliable cloud operations offset by steep learning curve and billing confusion

    5.0
    Jul 20, 2026
    My overall experience with Microsoft Azure has been very positive because it provides a highly reliable and secure foundation for running our digital record systems and institutional tools. The primary reason this platform stands out is its ability to ensure our essential student evaluation systems, digital archives and credit processing databases remain accessible around the clock without unexpected downtime. When you are responsible for auditing student records, verifying degree requirements and processing graduation awards on tight administrative deadlines, having a cloud infrastructure that never goes down gives us immense peace of mind. On the operational side, identity management, backup management and self-service access have worked remarkably well for our day-to-day administrative needs. The identity management system makes controlling user access effortless, allowing us to enforce strict single sign-on security so only verified staff can view sensitive student files. The automated backup management is another massive safety net, constantly protecting our historical evaluation logs and student records from data loss without requiring manual intervention. Additionally, self-service access allows our tech team to quickly spin up extra virtual storage or specialized database tools whenever our processing volume spikes during graduation season, keeping our workflows moving fast. The platform's global coverage and flexible metered billing structure have also contributed possibly to our operations. The broad global coverage ensures fast connection speeds and high reliability regardless of where staff members are logging in from across our various campus sites. Metered billing model allows our institution to pay only for the exact amount of cloud computing power and storage space we consume each month, preventing us from overspending on idle infrastructure during slower periods of the academic calendar.
  • Read All 2,602 Reviews

    Get unlimited access to verified peer reviews and insights

    Read unlimited Gartner-vetted product reviews
    View and share valuable product insights
    Download full product profiles
    Review products you use today

Recommended Gartner Insights

  • Critical Capabilities for Strategic Cloud Platform Services
  • Magic Quadrant for Strategic Cloud Platform Services
Powered by Google TranslateThis service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement. Gartner's use of this provider is for operational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement of its products or services.

Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply.


Software reviews and ratings for EMMS, BI, CRM, MDM, analytics, security and other platforms - Peer Insights by Gartner
Community GuidelinesListing GuidelinesBrowse VendorsRules of EngagementFAQsPrivacyTerms of Use

©2026 Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

All rights reserved.

User Sentiment About Microsoft Azure
Reviewer Insights for: Microsoft Azure
Performance of Microsoft Azure Across Market Features

Microsoft Azure Likes & Dislikes

Like

I like many features of Microsoft Azure. One of the features I like is the excellent integration with Microsoft products, which makes managing our administrative workflows incredibly smooth. Since our department relies heavily on Windows platforms, Active Directory and Microsoft 365 to handle daily student evaluations, having a cloud system that connects directly to those tools saves us from constantly fighting compatibility issues when managing student records. Another feature I like is the advanced security features built into the platform. Protecting sensitive academic histories and maintaining complete compliance with educational privacy laws is a major responsibility in my role, so having robust encryption, automatic threat monitoring and strict identity controls gives our office absolute confidence that our student files are fully protected from unauthorized access. Another feature I like is the reliable backup and disaster recovery capabilities. When we are processing high volumes of degree audits and graduation approvals, losing access to critical files or historical catalog records could cause massive delays for graduating students. Knowing that our databases are continuously backed up and can be restored quickly if an issue arises gives us huge peace of mind.

Like

I like many features of Microsoft Azure. One of the features I like is the excellent integration with Microsoft products, which makes managing our administrative workflows incredibly smooth. Since our department relies heavily on Windows platforms, Active Directory and Microsoft 365 to handle daily student evaluations, having a cloud system that connects directly to those tools saves us from constantly fighting compatibility issues when managing student records. Another feature I like is the advanced security features built into the platform. Protecting sensitive academic histories and maintaining complete compliance with educational privacy laws is a major responsibility in my role, so having robust encryption, automatic threat monitoring and strict identity controls gives our office absolute confidence that our student files are fully protected from unauthorized access. Another feature I like is the reliable backup and disaster recovery capabilities. When we are processing high volumes of degree audits and graduation approvals, losing access to critical files or historical catalog records could cause massive delays for graduating students. Knowing that our databases are continuously backed up and can be restored quickly if an issue arises gives us huge peace of mind.

Like

I like many features of Microsoft Azure. One of the features I like is the excellent integration with Microsoft products, which makes managing our administrative workflows incredibly smooth. Since our department relies heavily on Windows platforms, Active Directory and Microsoft 365 to handle daily student evaluations, having a cloud system that connects directly to those tools saves us from constantly fighting compatibility issues when managing student records. Another feature I like is the advanced security features built into the platform. Protecting sensitive academic histories and maintaining complete compliance with educational privacy laws is a major responsibility in my role, so having robust encryption, automatic threat monitoring and strict identity controls gives our office absolute confidence that our student files are fully protected from unauthorized access. Another feature I like is the reliable backup and disaster recovery capabilities. When we are processing high volumes of degree audits and graduation approvals, losing access to critical files or historical catalog records could cause massive delays for graduating students. Knowing that our databases are continuously backed up and can be restored quickly if an issue arises gives us huge peace of mind.

Dislike

It can be a little complex and the configuration is challenging in the beginning. Cost managemet is also a challenge, as metered billing can become difficult to predict without strict budgets nd regular review.

Dislike

It can be a little complex and the configuration is challenging in the beginning. Cost managemet is also a challenge, as metered billing can become difficult to predict without strict budgets nd regular review.

Dislike

It can be a little complex and the configuration is challenging in the beginning. Cost managemet is also a challenge, as metered billing can become difficult to predict without strict budgets nd regular review.