Head to head · Cloud platforms & infrastructure
Microsoft Azure vs Alibaba Cloud
Pricing, features, India readiness and rating compared. Microsoft Azure rates highest.
| Compare | Microsoft Azure | Alibaba Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cloud platforms & infrastructure | Cloud platforms & infrastructure |
| Vendor | Microsoft | Alibaba |
| Headquarters | Redmond, United States | Hangzhou, China |
| Made in India | No | No |
| Starting price | Pay as you go | Pay as you go |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Published pricing | Yes | Yes |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Mobile apps | No | No |
| Founded | 2010 | 2009 |
| Best for | Small business, SMB, Mid-market | Small business, SMB, Mid-market |
| App Advisor rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Microsoft Azure: pros & cons
- +16 years in business — a mature, stable product
- +One of the top-ranked cloud platforms & infrastructure options in our catalogue
- −No permanently free plan
- −Global vendor — check India-specific compliance (GST, TDS) and support hours before you commit
Key features
- Virtual machines and containers
- Managed databases
- Object storage and CDN
- Serverless and functions
- Kubernetes services
- Indian regions and data residency
Alibaba Cloud: pros & cons
- +17 years in business — a mature, stable product
- −No permanently free plan
- −Global vendor — check India-specific compliance (GST, TDS) and support hours before you commit
Key features
- Virtual machines and containers
- Managed databases
- Object storage and CDN
- Serverless and functions
- Kubernetes services
- Indian regions and data residency
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Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Microsoft Azure or Alibaba Cloud?+
Microsoft Azure scores higher on App Advisor's rating (4.5/5) for pricing transparency, India readiness and maturity. The right choice depends on your workflow — request demos of both.
Is Microsoft Azure cheaper than Alibaba Cloud?+
Microsoft Azure starts at Pay as you go and Alibaba Cloud at Pay as you go. Compare per-user costs at your team size, and remember GST is added on top.
Can I switch from Microsoft Azure to Alibaba Cloud?+
Most cloud platforms & infrastructure products import CSV or Excel data; check whether historical records, attachments and integrations move too before you switch.
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