Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines

What differentiates Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines from other similar products?

What sets Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines apart from other similar products, like AWS EC2 or Google Cloud VMs, is really the depth of integration it offers with the broader Microsoft ecosystem. If you're already using Microsoft products—whether it’s Active Directory, Windows Server, or even tools like Microsoft 365—Azure just ties everything together more seamlessly. It’s not just about running VMs; it’s about how those VMs interact with your other systems, and Azure really shines there.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

One of my favorite aspects of Azure Virtual Machines is how easy it is to scale and customize based on the workload. Whether you need a small instance for development or something much larger for production, the flexibility is there. You can spin up VMs quickly, adjust sizes, and take advantage of features like reserved instances for cost savings. Plus, the integration with other Azure services like Azure Backup, Security Center, and Monitor makes managing and securing those VMs much more straightforward. It feels like everything you need is built into the platform, which really simplifies things when you’re juggling multiple cloud services.

What do you dislike most about this product?

One thing I find a bit frustrating with Azure Virtual Machines is the pricing complexity. While Azure offers a lot of flexibility, figuring out the most cost-efficient option can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many variables—different VM sizes, reserved instances, spot pricing, and various storage and networking costs—that it sometimes feels like you need to be really careful to avoid unexpected charges. Also, though the interface has improved, there’s still a learning curve, especially when you’re trying to manage multiple VMs or set up more advanced configurations. It’s powerful, but sometimes that power comes with a bit of complexity.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

If you're considering Azure Virtual Machines, my first recommendation would be to take advantage of the free tier and spend some time getting familiar with the platform. Azure is incredibly powerful, but it can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you're new to cloud services. Starting small helps you understand how the billing works, how to manage resources efficiently, and which VM sizes best suit your needs.

What differentiates Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines from other similar products?

Honestly, they are both the same birds, different "names"

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

I love reading the documentation, so fun to navigate

What do you dislike most about this product?

The UI could be more intuitive

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

Go for it.

What differentiates Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines from other similar products?

Compared to other services, Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines comes at flexible cost and the security is outstanding.

What is your favorite aspect of this product?

I like the availability of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines - more than 60 regions. Configuration is easy and security is top notch. It offers high performance pre configured Virtual devices/machines

What do you dislike most about this product?

I find all features of Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines very helpful. No issues.

What recommendations would you give to someone considering this product?

This product is a must have. It's functional, secure, high availability and most importantly, cost effective.