Microsoft Azure and Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) compete in the cloud computing category. Azure has the upper hand due to its robust and comprehensive features, appealing to enterprises seeking extensive cloud capabilities.
Features: Microsoft Azure is known for its robust cloud computing capabilities and flexibility, supporting a wide range of programming languages. It offers a scalable solution, an integrated platform, and is especially beneficial for enterprises using Microsoft tools. Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) provides a simpler set of services with a focus on strong price-to-performance ratios, simple scalability, and ease of use for smaller businesses and individual developers.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft Azure can be complex and costly, has challenges in pricing transparency, support responsiveness, and frequent updates that may disrupt services. Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) lacks managed databases and role-based access control and has limited data center availability compared to larger providers.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Azure’s deployment process is enhanced by integrations with Microsoft products, making it convenient for existing Microsoft users. It complex for others, with variable support responsiveness based on the service plan. Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) offers simplicity and ease of deployment with straightforward customer service, without complex ticketing systems, appealing to direct user engagement.
Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Azure’s pricing is high and complex with variable costs, offering long-term ROI through its integration and scalability. Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) has a straightforward and competitive pricing model ideal for those who prioritize cost-effectiveness and simplicity.
The value for money is good, and Microsoft Azure has positively impacted our operational costs.
When we use Microsoft Azure, it provides enhanced security from our perspective, though I am not certain about the financial return on investment or benefits for our users as I do not have that information.
They were very responsive to my issue.
They respond with relevant and easy-to-follow solutions.
Regarding technical support from Microsoft, I find they are responsive and helpful, depending on which support package you're on.
I rate technical support as excellent because we have not experienced many problems when calling for assistance.
The support from Microsoft Azure is good.
For my usage, which is a small business, I rate the scalability of Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) around nine or ten.
The scalability of Microsoft Azure is excellent for growth and adaptation, depending on company requirements.
Microsoft Azure is not just one product; it is a platform with multiple products within Microsoft Azure, and I would say it is scalable and would rate it a nine.
Scalability with Microsoft Azure is amazing, which is a primary reason for using cloud solutions.
Microsoft Azure is quite stable, but recent outages and security issues have slightly decreased my confidence.
The main area for improvement is the lack of a backup feature to the local hard disk or storage.
The main improvement I would like to see from Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) is the ability to duplicate the server as it is and initialize a new one with the same features.
It would be useful to have the option to sort or group by tags on the domains page.
There is still room for improvement in terms of pricing.
The administrative side is suitable for technical people, but our finance and HR super users find it less user-friendly, as they prefer drag-and-drop features to build their own solutions without contacting IT.
Recent outages and security issues are also a concern, causing a decrease in confidence, especially when partnering with third-party companies.
I always receive more features for the same price.
Microsoft solutions might be cheaper than some services like AWS, but some solutions may be more expensive depending on the services compared.
Copilot is expensive based on recent pricing for our POC.
Regarding the pricing for Microsoft Azure services, I would rate our satisfaction as very good.
Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode) is easy to use and has a fair price, making it accessible and straightforward, which is crucial when compared to other complex solutions.
Their support is really good. I can ask anything at any time, and they are able to resolve issues like reinstating deleted Linodes.
I use the backup features as my main benefit from Akamai Connected Cloud (Linode), and since my business is small, I don't need more than this.
Power BI, another feature of Azure, is extremely elegant and has robust features that support forecasting using R and Python.
The scalability of Microsoft Azure is very good for growing and adapting to company requirements.
Data integrations are particularly effective on Microsoft Azure, especially with our banner services that we automate through Power Automate.
Linode Pricing Page
CPU, transfer, storage, and RAM bundled into one simple price.
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:
Platform as a service (PaaS)
Software as a service (SaaS)
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.
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.
