Microsoft Azure vs DigitalOcean
Microsoft Azure rates 4.4/5 and starts at Custom. DigitalOcean rates 4.6/5 and starts at $4/mo. DigitalOcean is the higher rated. Only Microsoft Azure has a free tier.
DigitalOcean rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.4/5). Microsoft Azure suits Microsoft-centric enterprises, while DigitalOcean is aimed at Developers & startups.
Microsoft Azure vs DigitalOcean at a glance
| Measure | Microsoft Azure | DigitalOcean |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Reviews | 11,400 | 7,800 |
| Starting price | Custom | $4/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Starting price | Custom | $4/mo |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Microsoft-centric enterprises | Developers & startups |
| Hybrid cloud (Azure Arc) | ||
| Active Directory integration | ||
| Virtual machines | ||
| Azure OpenAI | ||
| Enterprise agreements | ||
| Droplets (VMs) | ||
| Managed databases | ||
| App Platform (PaaS) | ||
| Predictable flat pricing | ||
| Great docs | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Microsoft Azure
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free Account | Free | — |
| Pay-as-you-go | Custom | — |
DigitalOcean
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Droplet | $4/mo | $48 |
| General Purpose | $63/mo | $756 |
Which should you choose?
Choose Microsoft Azure if…
- Best for Microsoft shops matters to you.
- Strong hybrid story matters to you.
- Enterprise deals matters to you.
- Fewer services than hyperscalers would be a problem.
Choose DigitalOcean if…
- Simple & predictable pricing matters to you.
- Great developer UX matters to you.
- Excellent tutorials matters to you.
- Portal can be complex would be a problem.
Microsoft Azure
Pros
- Best for Microsoft shops
- Strong hybrid story
- Enterprise deals
Cons
- Portal can be complex
- Pricing hard to predict
DigitalOcean
Pros
- Simple & predictable pricing
- Great developer UX
- Excellent tutorials
Cons
- Fewer services than hyperscalers
- Limited global regions
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Azure better than DigitalOcean?+
DigitalOcean rates higher (4.6/5 vs 4.4/5). Microsoft Azure suits Microsoft-centric enterprises, while DigitalOcean is aimed at Developers & startups.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Azure or DigitalOcean?+
Microsoft Azure starts at Custom and DigitalOcean starts at $4/mo.
Do Microsoft Azure or DigitalOcean have a free plan?+
Microsoft Azure has a free tier; DigitalOcean does not (though trials may be available).
Which is better rated, Microsoft Azure or DigitalOcean?+
DigitalOcean, at 4.6/5 across 7,800 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Microsoft Azure.
What is Microsoft Azure best for, and what is DigitalOcean best for?+
Microsoft Azure is aimed at Microsoft-centric enterprises (enterprise IT, hybrid cloud). DigitalOcean is aimed at Developers & startups (startups, indie projects).