Alibaba Cloud vs Microsoft Azure comparison

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6,549 views|4,335 comparisons
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24,360 views|19,425 comparisons
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Alibaba Cloud and Microsoft Azure based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Alibaba Cloud vs. Microsoft Azure Report (Updated: September 2023).
735,226 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Q&A Highlights
Question: Which solution do you prefer: Alibaba Cloud or Microsoft Azure?
Answer: I believe Microsoft Azure is good as many companies are going by Azure, and moreover, Azure is best because many services that Microsoft corporates are used in the market.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The installation is easy.""It is a scalable product. So, scaling up or scaling down is possible.""We use the product for storage and as a VPN.""Alibaba support is responsive. When we create tickets in the Alibaba portal, they usually respond online or call me in five minutes.""We use the solution to run VMs.""It's easy to use, cheaper than other solutions, and more secure.""It is easy to set up.""Alibaba Cloud allows for easy setup of mirror sites and backup servers, ensuring data redundancy and high availability."

More Alibaba Cloud Pros →

"Databricks is really nice because you have the power to process lots of data and you can create queries and provide big analysis for the business using a robust cluster.""The valuable features of Microsoft Azure are that it is cloud-based and has good storage. The storage is completely managed by Azure. We do not need to do any patching of security because it is handled by Azure which is a benefit. The solution is fully compatible with the Microsoft technology stack and is very scalable.""In Azure, everything is pretty straightforward. Once you know it, the platform is very easy to use.""It is stable and scalable.""In terms of managing and configuring infrastructures, Azure is fairly good.""It is easy to deploy.""The advantage of Microsoft Azure is its simplicity. It's easy to launch a project. However, the problem with this kind of solution is the reliability for the customers. You have to be sure to stay with Microsoft.""Azure Data Lake is useful. We are in the process of populating the data lake for our current project. Also, we are directly importing for Power BI to using PowerPlay."

More Microsoft Azure Pros →

Cons
"Users use websites as a tutorial. However, the Alibaba Cloud website has the content, and the scripts are copied from Amazon Web Services. We had received customer feedback where the customer asked us to get formulate original content instead of copying from Amazon Web Services. It’s very odd and awkward.""The solution should have more integration.""The solution name is not favorable in some markets and could cause us some problems gaining customers.""It is not robust.""I think that sometimes the customer service for Alibaba Cloud is inefficient.... Sometimes it's hard to reach out to them.""The solution needs to improve its graphical user interface.""Alibaba Cloud's initial setup is somewhat complex.""Alibaba Cloud has some problems related to latency and connection issues. If you go for a cloud solution provider, you will need to access the Internet, which may result in latency and bandwidth issues, leading to slowness in operations."

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"I would recommend some enhancement regarding integration features.""The solution must improve its pricing.""I would like it if Microsoft communicated better about upcoming changes before they roll them out. Sometimes when Microsoft implements changes, they don't notify the users promptly enough. I would like to know about new features, especially Office 365.""Its costing can be improved. There should be better cost management.""The security of the solution could always be much better.""The management portal can be confusing sometimes. We have difficulty navigating the menus because the terminology is unclear, especially when referring to the content or actionable items.""It would be beneficial if Microsoft could enhance the free version to allow for more exploration and development. That's my only suggestion regarding Azure.""Microsoft Azure could improve by having more virtual machine operating systems available."

More Microsoft Azure Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "We cut our costs significantly by migrating our infrastructure to the cloud. Alibaba Cloud employs a pay-as-you-go model, so that minimizes many costs for us."
  • "The cost is better than similar solutions."
  • "Pricing for Alibaba Cloud is a little bit cheaper. It has reasonable pricing."
  • "The price of Alibaba Cloud is good. If I was to use Microsoft Azure I would have to pay 30 percent more."
  • "The solution's pricing is the same as AWS'."
  • "I noticed on the pricing that it's quite expensive. It is the price you pay for making a practical choice for enterprise-level companies since it has so many features and it fits an enterprise-level company just like our company right now."
  • "Alibaba Cloud is cheaper."
  • More Alibaba Cloud Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The license cost could be reduced."
  • "Everything involves an annual commitment with a monthly charge."
  • "We pay yearly for the license."
  • "The price of the solution could be less expensive and the pricing model could be less confusing."
  • "Customers pay for our software and use our solution as a service through monthly payments. They don't pay the licensing fee directly to Microsoft."
  • "Price could always be cheaper. Its licensing and usage aren't always cheap. We pay monthly."
  • "The cost of the solution could be reduced. However, I am using the free version."
  • "The subscription models can be confusing and it would be beneficial for them to simplify them. We are on an annual subscription."
  • More Microsoft Azure Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    735,226 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Answers from the Community
    Nattaphat Narapimsakul
    Patrick Cutajar - PeerSpot reviewerPatrick Cutajar
    Real User

    I believe that with Microsoft Azure you will have a bigger advantage due to the amount of partners that there are in the market.    If you need support from Partner one and you don't get it, it's easy to switch to another partner to get help.  

    Further to this Microsoft Azure now has datacentres worldwide which makes it easier to deploy anywhere.







    DJIBRINE AGADJI - PeerSpot reviewerDJIBRINE AGADJI
    Real User

    Microsoft Azure

    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Alibaba Cloud allows for easy setup of mirror sites and backup servers, ensuring data redundancy and high availability.
    Top Answer:Alibaba Cloud is cheaper than AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.
    Top Answer:Alibaba Cloud has some problems related to latency and connection issues. If you go for a cloud solution provider, you will need to access the Internet, which may result in latency and bandwidth… more »
    Top Answer:IBM Public Cloud is IBM’s Platform-as-a-Service. It aims to provide organizations with a secure cloud environment to manage data and applications. One of the features we like is the cloud activity… more »
    Top Answer:One of the best features of SAP Cloud Platform is that it is web-based and you can log in from anywhere in the world. SAP Cloud Platform is suitable for companies of any size; it works well with both… more »
    Top Answer:I would recommend Google Firebase instead of Microsoft Azure, simply for the array of features that it has to offer. In particular, the Firebase library grants you access to a shared data structure… more »
    Ranking
    Views
    6,549
    Comparisons
    4,335
    Reviews
    10
    Average Words per Review
    380
    Rating
    7.7
    Views
    24,360
    Comparisons
    19,425
    Reviews
    77
    Average Words per Review
    459
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Windows Azure, Azure, MS Azure
    Learn More
    Overview

    Alibaba Cloud offers a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to support growing enterprises worldwide, including data storage, relational databases, big-data processing, and content delivery networks.

    Windows Azure is Microsoft's cloud platform, where developers can create, deploy, and maintain their apps. This cloud application platform allows developers to concentrate on the actual applications, while it takes care of all the elements behind the apps.

    Windows Azure works across multiple frameworks and languages. It is fully scalable, localized in that it is hosted globally in many datacenters, and has widespread capabilities with elements of application development, deployment, and management.

    Azure is comprised of several different service modules, including Infrastructure; Web; Mobile; Dev & Test; Big Data; Media;Storage, Backup & Recovery; and Identity & Access Management.

    Microsoft Azure works as a:

    1. Platform as a service (PaaS)
    2. Software as a service (SaaS)
    3. Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)

    Microsoft Azure is available:

    • On-premises
    • Hybrid
    • Multi-cloud
    • At the edge

    Compared to its competitors, Microsoft Azure:

    • Has more affordable features
    • Has easier migration for organizations already using other Microsoft tools
    • Has several educational resources available
    • Provides robust support
    • Is ideal for small and large businesses

    Microsoft Azure Features:

    • Scalability
    • Stability
    • Flexibility
    • Azure Site Recovery
    • Active Directory
    • Monitoring features
    • Cloud-based
    • Automated tasks
    • Change capability cadence
    • Showback capabilities
    • Information protection
    • Azure Data Lake
    • Excellent portal
    • Intuitive user interface
    • Remote desktop
    • Fast provisioning
    • Data security
    • Data resiliency
    • Speed of service
    • Integrated delivery pipeline
    • Disaster recovery
    • Robust templates
    • Flexible coding languages
    • Virtual systems testing

    Benefits of Microsoft Azure:

    • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Because Microsoft Azure is an IaaS, organizations can deploy as well as manage applications easily and quickly. Azure also provides you with the ability to customize the cloud software to meet your specific business needs.
    • Seamless integration: Microsoft Azure is built to seamlessly integrate with existing IT departments via hybrid databases, secure private connections, and storage solutions.
    • Cost-effective: Because Azure can harmoniously exist in your business environment with your data center, it is a very cost-effective solution.
    • Analytics support: Azure is designed with built-in support that is used to analyze data and provide key insights. Azure offers Cortana Analytics, Stream Analytics, Machine Learning, and SQL services.
    • Unique storage system: Compared to other cloud services, Microsoft Azure has more data centers and delivery points, which helps create an optimal user experience and also helps deliver content faster. In addition, Microsoft Azure makes it possible for organizations to exchange content across several virtual machines.
    • Enhanced flexibility: Azure provides extreme flexibility by allowing you to choose any level of functionality you require. It also supports many of the same technologies IT teams and developers usually depend on, making it easier for them to manage.
    • Easy implementation: Microsoft Azure is easy and quick to deploy. If necessary, you can change web apps to Azure with almost zero downtime.

    Reviews from Real Users:

    "It is a flexible solution that is straightforward to use," says the principal consultant at a computer software company.

    OmarJ., future datacenter consultant: Microsoft Azure Cloud at a tech company, adds that "The user interface is very nice and makes everything easy to use."

    You can build an environment in minutes. It's very good in terms of being an infrastructure as a service, and I found that really fascinating,” says an information technology consultant at a computer software company.

    "I think Azure's level of automation to achieve efficiency or agility is valuable. I also like the change capability cadence, the showback capabilities, and understanding what our costs are," says an enterprise architect at an energy/utilities company.

    Marco C., Ing. at Wolters Kluwer, says "The valuable features of Microsoft Azure are that it is cloud-based and has good storage. The storage is completely managed by Azure. We do not need to do any patching of security because it is handled by Azure which is a benefit. The solution is fully compatible with the Microsoft technology stack and is very scalable."

    "The most valuable feature of Microsoft Azure is it has everything together in one place. It is one large tool with lots of small tools that are updated often," says the owner of a media company.



    Offer
    Learn more about Alibaba Cloud
    Learn more about Microsoft Azure
    Sample Customers
    Schneider Electric, BorderX Lab, Royal Philips, Catchpoint, Conversant, Blogmint
    BMW, Toyota, easyJet, NBC Sports, HarperCollins, Aviva, TalkTalk Business, Avanade, and Telenor.
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company40%
    Comms Service Provider20%
    Financial Services Firm20%
    Energy/Utilities Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company12%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Educational Organization8%
    University8%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company24%
    Financial Services Firm12%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization32%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Financial Services Firm9%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise21%
    Large Enterprise43%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise65%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business39%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise44%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business14%
    Midsize Enterprise38%
    Large Enterprise49%
    Buyer's Guide
    Alibaba Cloud vs. Microsoft Azure
    September 2023
    Find out what your peers are saying about Alibaba Cloud vs. Microsoft Azure and other solutions. Updated: September 2023.
    735,226 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Alibaba Cloud is ranked 7th in Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) with 10 reviews while Microsoft Azure is ranked 2nd in Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) with 75 reviews. Alibaba Cloud is rated 7.8, while Microsoft Azure is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Alibaba Cloud writes "Good storage, great for smaller companies, and has impressive support". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Microsoft Azure writes "Optimized cloud solution with reliable recovery and fail services". Alibaba Cloud is most compared with Google Cloud, Amazon AWS, Oracle Cloud, Google Firebase and DigitalOcean, whereas Microsoft Azure is most compared with Oracle Cloud Platform, Google Firebase, Amazon AWS, IBM Public Cloud and Heroku. See our Alibaba Cloud vs. Microsoft Azure report.

    See our list of best Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) vendors.

    We monitor all Infrastructure as a Service Clouds (IaaS) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.