Microsoft Azure - 2026 Pricing, Features, Reviews & Alternatives

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Azure's deployment management capabilities for automating and simplifying the release of updates and new versions of applications. They find it valuable for ensuring consistent and reliable deployments across different environments. Users report the flexibility of using tools like Bicep, ARM templates, PowerShell, and Terraform for planning deployments. They highlight the ease of integrating Azure App Services and Azure DevOps release pipelines. However, some users mention issues with Autopilot installations being slow and buggy compared to USB deployment. Of the 47 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Deployment Management, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users report that Microsoft Azure provides secure data storage solutions with encryption at rest and in transit, which gives them peace of mind when dealing with sensitive data. They appreciate the variety of storage options like Azure Blob Storage, Azure Files, and Azure Disk Storage. Reviewers highlight the built-in backup and disaster recovery capabilities, and the compliance certifications that ensure data protection. However, some users note that Azure storage often defaults to publicly accessible, which they would prefer to be secure by default. Of the 23 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Secure Data Storage, 100% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“I particularly value Microsoft Azure's safe data storage option. Knowing that my information is stored securely gives me peace of mind as someone who frequently deals with sensitive data. My data is protected by the platform using cutting-edge encryption methods, and the security precautions are regularly upgraded to counteract new threats. Additionally, I never have to worry about losing my data because to the built-in backup and disaster recovery features. Overall, I'm comfortable hosting my important company data on Microsoft Azure.”

Joseph M.

Senior Civil Engineer

“Microsoft Azure provides secure data storage solutions such as Azure Storage, which uses encryption and other security measures to protect data at rest and in transit.”

DN

Debbie N.

Manager

Reviewers indicate that Microsoft Azure offers robust data security features, including encryption at rest and in transit, compliance with industry standards like HIPAA and GDPR, and built-in security controls. They appreciate the range of tools for managing access, detecting threats, and preventing unauthorized activities. Users highlight the importance of capabilities like private endpoints, Microsoft Purview, and Defender for Endpoint. They find Azure's logging and alerting capabilities helpful for maintaining security and compliance. Of the 93 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Data Security, 99% rated this feature as important or highly important.

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“Azure provides built-in security controls and compliance certifications, making it easy to meet the requirements of various regulations, such as HIPAA, SOC 2 and TIBER-EU. I personally haven't used this feature in depth but I did come accross a lot of client environements during audits where this is actively used. Additionally, there is are the data encryption capabilities that provide an additional layer of security for sensitive information. I have used this feature more extensivly during offensive engagements to ensure that extracted client data is protected at rest and in transit.”

Matthias V.

Senior Penetration Tester

“For any organisation data security plays an important role in these challenging times, the way Azure supplies the security is of top notch by providing features like private end points, screen capture protection, Microsoft purview which constantly helps you to stay complaint and Defender for end point to keep your infra away from any malicious artifacts.”

Phani V.

Architect

Users report that Microsoft Azure's access controls and permissions provide a robust security framework for managing and enforcing access policies. They appreciate the role-based access control (RBAC) system, which allows them to assign specific roles and permissions to users and groups. Reviewers highlight the ease of managing permissions with Azure Active Directory and the ability to track and audit access behavior. They find these controls essential for maintaining data security and compliance with regulations. Of the 92 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Access Controls/Permissions, 98% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Reviewers appreciate Microsoft Azure's backup and recovery solutions for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high security. They value the ability to create automated backup schedules, restore data quickly, and test recovery strategies. Users highlight capabilities like incremental backups, data archiving, and support for multiple platforms. They find the flexibility and scalability of Azure's backup services beneficial for ensuring business continuity and protecting against data loss. Of the 45 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Backup and Recovery, 98% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Users report that Microsoft Azure's cloud computing services offer scalability, flexibility, and a wide range of options for deploying and managing applications. They appreciate the ease of creating and managing virtual machines, the integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 and Visual Studio, and the global network of data centers. Reviewers highlight the platform's security, compliance, and cost-efficiency, making it a reliable choice for businesses of all sizes. Of the 101 Microsoft Azure users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Cloud Computing, 96% rated this feature as important or highly important.