Microsoft Azure · Compute

SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines

Running SQL Server on an Azure VM gives you full control over the database instance while leveraging cloud infrastructure for high availability, disaster recovery, and hybrid connectivity. It’s essentially lift-and-shift migration, allowing you to maintain existing SQL Server features and security models without re-architecting for a managed service. This setup suits teams needing specific OS-level configurations or legacy application dependencies that require direct access to the underlying virtual machine rather than a fully managed database offering.

The main friction point is the lack of a free tier, meaning every deployment incurs immediate costs. While the pay-as-you-go model offers flexibility, you must budget for continuous compute charges from day one, even for development or testing environments. There is no zero-cost entry point to trial the service, so small projects or proof-of-concept workloads will generate expenses immediately, requiring careful sizing to keep total cost of ownership manageable.

• Free tier No
• Pricing Pay as you go
• Regions 12 · 6 continents
• SLA uptime 99.99%
• Compliance 13 certifications
• Provider health A