Top 10 Azure Alternatives for 2023/24

A noticeable trend in the technology industry is the shift from traditional on-premise infrastructure to cloud-based solutions. This migration to the cloud allows companies to build, deploy, and manage applications more effectively. The move towards cloud-based solutions reflects a change in business strategies, focusing on adaptability and operational flexibility. Among these, Microsoft Azure has become a notable option, offering a range of cloud services such as computing, storage, and networking.

However, integrating Azure into business operations presents its own set of challenges. The platform, while robust and versatile, can be a significant financial investment, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses. Issues like possible vendor lock-in and opaque pricing structures add to the complexity. These considerations, along with the high expense of Azure, are leading businesses to explore alternatives.

Cloud infrastructure services like DigitalOcean have emerged as viable options, providing similar infrastructure capabilities often at a more economical price than major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). As businesses navigate the cloud environment, assessing various options is crucial to avoid dependence on a single provider and to find the best fit for their specific needs. This article delves into Azure alternatives, discussing their ability to meet diverse business requirements.

8 factors to consider when selecting a cloud services provider

When selecting a cloud services provider, businesses should consider a range of factors to ensure they choose a solution that best fits their needs. Here are eight key factors to consider:

1. Cost efficiency and pricing structure

Understanding the pricing model of the cloud provider is crucial. This includes evaluating initial costs, long-term expenses, potential hidden costs, scalability in pricing, and the flexibility to switch between plans. Beyond just the service fees, consider costs like data egress fees, which can be significant depending on the amount of data transferred out of the cloud provider’s network to the internet or to another cloud provider. It’s also important to compare these costs with the anticipated ROI and the overall budget constraints of your business.

2. Security and compliance

Assessing the provider’s security measures and compliance with industry standards is essential for protecting sensitive data and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements like GDPR and HIPAA. This includes checking for certifications such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS, which demonstrate adherence to high security and privacy standards. Additionally, review their track record and policies regarding data breaches and security incidents.

3. Performance and reliability

Evaluating the performance capabilities of the cloud services, including uptime statistics and the quality of their infrastructure, is key. Factors to assess include the speed of computing resources, network latency, and the provider’s track record in handling high traffic loads and peak times. Reliable service is vital for maintaining uninterrupted business operations, and regular performance evaluations help in understanding if the services align with your business needs.

4. Scalability and flexibility

Determining the provider’s ability to accommodate growth and fluctuating demands is important. The ability to easily scale resources up or down is essential for adjusting to business needs dynamically. Assess whether they offer auto-scaling capabilities and how swiftly resources can be allocated or de-allocated in response to changing demands. Consider whether the provider’s infrastructure can handle your projected growth, without requiring a major overhaul.

5. Data management

Considering the data management solutions offered, such as storage locations, backup facilities, and data retrieval processes, is crucial. Understanding the provider’s approach to data replication and geographic distribution of data centers can impact data availability and latency. Delve into the specific technologies used for data storage (e.g. SSD vs. HDD) and the encryption standards employed for data-at-rest and data-in-transit, ensuring that data security is not compromised.

6. Customer support

Reviewing the level of customer support provided, including availability, responsiveness, and technical expertise, is critical. Good customer support can significantly mitigate issues and reduce downtime during critical situations. Seek providers that offer dedicated technical account managers, 24/7 support for critical issues, and a comprehensive knowledge base for self-help, ensuring that support is not just available but technically adept and aligned with your specific needs.

7. Service level agreements (SLAs)

SLAs outline the expected performance and response times. It’s essential to understand the guarantees provided by the SLAs, including aspects like uptime, compensation for downtime, and support responsiveness. Scrutinize the SLA for specific metrics like the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), which give a more detailed understanding of the reliability and efficiency of the provider’s service in maintaining and restoring operations.

8. Ecosystem and integration capabilities

Assessing the compatibility of the cloud services with existing tools and applications and the ease of integration with other services and platforms can significantly impact operational efficiency. This factor is crucial for ensuring that the cloud services blend seamlessly into your existing IT environment without causing disruptions or requiring extensive modifications. Consider if the provider supports integrations with key operational tools like analytics platforms, automation tools, and database management systems.

Top 10 best Azure alternatives

Looking beyond the familiar names like AWS and GCP, we find other players in the cloud market that may better fit specific business needs. Smaller providers such as DigitalOcean cater more specifically to developers, startups, and SMBs with greater simplicity and ease of use compared to complex hyperscalers. Specialized regional providers can better serve customers concentrated in certain geographies. The best Azure alternative depends on evaluating your technical needs, business priorities, and workflows.

Hyperscalers

Large cloud platforms including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure provide vast international infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and a range of services, often making them a default consideration for enterprises looking for extensive and flexible cloud solutions. However, their massive size and intricacy can be daunting for smaller organizations, and their pricing models may lack transparency, requiring careful evaluation of their offerings based on specific business needs and capabilities.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS provides a wide variety of cloud services including computing, storage, database solutions and more. It operates a worldwide network of data centers to meet the diverse geographical needs of its customers. However, AWS is often critiqued for its convoluted pricing structure, which can be opaque and tricky for some users to understand. While AWS delivers various support services, its Basic plan does not include access to support associates beyond billing/account issues. AWS support response time can also be slow, presenting issues for customers.

2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

GCP provides a broad suite of cloud services. That includes areas like AI, machine learning, and multi-cloud interoperability. It offers advanced AI solutions and supports efficient machine learning workloads with its NVIDIA GPU offerings. However, GCP’s array of products is often seen as perplexing to navigate, potentially hindering less technical users. Cost is also a consideration. GCP’s pricing, especially for high bandwidth usage, can rapidly escalate costs for organizations with complex data transfer needs.

3. IBM Cloud

IBM Cloud provides a range of cloud computing services including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS solutions, particularly for enterprise-level needs. The platform integrates with IBM’s hardware and software ecosystem. While it delivers advanced capabilities like AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, and data analytics through Watson, its complexity may challenge smaller organizations with less resources. Additionally, IBM Cloud has limited free support options. While its combination of public, private, and hybrid cloud models suits various business and compliance prerequisites, it may not be ideal for businesses wanting simpler or more affordable solutions.

4. Alibaba Cloud

Alibaba Cloud has a major presence in the Asia Pacific region, especially in China. The platform provides a range of cloud services including computing, database management, and AI abilities, tailored to meet the needs of its primary market. Its extensive suite of services makes it a suitable choice for customers operating in these areas. While Alibaba Cloud has plans to expand globally, its core strengths and infrastructure remain most effective for enterprises based in or targeting the Asian market.

Alternative providers

There’s a growing cohort of cloud service providers that are alternatives to the well-known cloud platforms we explored above. These providers deliver unique advantages such as personalized customer service, more transparent pricing, and tailored solutions that can be especially beneficial for SMBs.

5. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean stands out as a cloud infrastructure provider, delivering a range of straightforward, competitively priced services accompanied by robust support. This makes it a notable alternative to Microsoft Azure for SMBs and developers. The service excels with its more extensive product range than other alternative providers, including a broader selection of Managed Databases and a Platform as a Service (PaaS) offering. One of DigitalOcean’s key advantages over Azure is its superior support system, which includes various tiers of customer service and a dedicated 24/7 support team. This combination of features and support makes DigitalOcean an appealing choice for companies seeking out a comprehensive and user-friendly cloud service platform.

6. Linode

Known for its simple pricing and solid performance, Linode is a favored choice among developers looking for cloud hosting. However, Linode was acquired by Akamai, a larger content delivery network provider, in 2022, leaving customers uncertain about the future of Linode’s pricing and services. Linode risks stagnating under its new ownership, with this uncertainty casting doubt on Linode’s future roadmap.

7. Vultr

Vultr is a cloud service provider delivering various computing and storage solutions. While they provide a knowledge base for customer assistance, their support is not 24/7, and they lack paid support options for urgent queries, unlike some larger providers. Regarding managed database services, Vultr’s offerings are somewhat limited, missing options like MongoDB and Kafka available from rivals like DigitalOcean. Some users have raised concerns about Vultr’s reliability and occasional downtime, which could impact those relying on it for production applications. This is reflected in its lower TrustPilot rating versus DigitalOcean and other alternatives.

8. OVHcloud

OVHcloud, based in France, specializes in delivering dedicated servers and private cloud solutions at budget-friendly rates. The service is primarily focused on the European market, tailoring its infrastructure and offerings to regional needs and preferences. While OVHcloud’s portfolio incorporates a variety of cloud services, its focus is more on meeting the demands of enterprise businesses rather than small and medium-sized organizations or individual developers. This positioning distinguishes OVHcloud in the cloud service market, especially for large enterprises seeking affordable, dedicated hosting solutions within Europe.

9. Scaleway

Scaleway is a Europe-based cloud provider, offering a variety of hosting services including database, storage, and compute offerings. Scaleway also provides bare metal services catering to specific hosting needs. Scaleway operates with data centers in Europe, positioning it as a regional rather than global provider. This localization can impact its suitability for businesses aiming to serve a worldwide customer base, as it may not provide the global reach of some competitors.

10. Hetzner

Hetzner delivers cost-effective computing solutions for customers. While their pricing is competitive, their product range is narrower versus some rivals, concentrating primarily on compute offerings. Notably, Hetzner does not provide managed databases, Kubernetes, or Platform as a Service options, which may restrict its usefulness for certain users. The company’s data centers are located in Europe and North America, supplying geographic coverage in these regions but lacking a broader global presence. Hetzner is a feasible option for those prioritizing affordability in cloud compute resources, mainly within the specified regions.

DigitalOcean: The Azure alternative your business needs

For many small and midsize businesses, Azure can seem like overkill. Its extensive capabilities come with labyrinthine complexity and costs that are challenging to predict and control. Instead of trying to bend Azure to your will, it may be time to consider an alternative purpose-built for your needs. This is where DigitalOcean shines.

DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure provider optimized for developers, startups, and SMBs looking for a user-friendly and cost-effective platform. With DigitalOcean, you get:

• Simple, predictable pricing. DigitalOcean uses transparent pricing for intuitive cost control. Our pricing calculator makes it easy to estimate costs upfront.

• Enhanced support. DigitalOcean offers multiple tiers of support, including dedicated technical account managers. Support is available 24/7 for urgent issues. Our starter plan is available for $0/month

• Streamlined infrastructure. DigitalOcean eliminates complexity by focusing on core compute, storage, and networking offerings tailored to common use cases.

• Developer productivity. DigitalOcean offers modern API-driven infrastructure ideal for agile DevOps workflows. One-click installs, prebuilt images, and out-of-box automation speed up deployment.

• Global private network. DigitalOcean data centers are connected through a private, high-speed network backbone for secure and reliable connectivity.

Sans Paper, a construction software company based in Australia, transitioned from Microsoft Azure to DigitalOcean for their cloud infrastructure needs. “The documentation for Azure is not great. You probably need specialized DevOps that knows Azure, how to set it up, and how to maintain that,” says Gim Wee, CTO of Sans Paper. “That’s going to cost the business.”

The switch allowed them to save money they could invest elsewhere. “There was a definite cost savings and that was a motivator as well. We have seen thirty percent cost savings,” says Marcus van Enk, Founder and CEO of Sans Paper.

For today’s lean and distributed organizations, DigitalOcean provides the ideal blend of simplicity, transparency, and agility. Shed the burden of complexity and unlock the promise of cloud with an Azure alternative that finally fits.

Sign up for a DigitalOcean account today. Discover how DigitalOcean can cost-effectively power your business into the future.