Azure FinOps Essentials

Hi there, and welcome to this week's edition of Azure FinOps Essentials! 🎉

In this edition, we’re diving into the world of Azure free services. Discover how you can leverage a wide range of always-free and 12-month free offerings to kickstart your projects, experiment with new ideas, and innovate without worrying about costs. We’ll also cover tips on managing your usage to ensure you stay within the free tiers and avoid unexpected charges.

Dive in and start maximizing your Azure experience today!

Cheers,
Michiel

Introduction

Microsoft Azure offers an impressive array of free services that can help you get started with cloud development, testing, and deployment without any upfront costs. These free services are a fantastic way to explore Azure's capabilities, experiment with new ideas, and even launch small projects without financial commitment.

However, while many of these services are labeled as "free," it’s important to remember that free doesn’t always mean completely free. There are limitations and conditions attached, and as your usage grows, so might your costs. Understanding how to leverage these free offerings effectively is key to maximizing their value while keeping your budget under control.

In this edition, we’ll explore the variety of free services available in Azure, how you can make the most of them, and what you need to watch out for as your needs evolve.

Distinguishing Between Azure’s Free Service Categories

Azure's free services are broadly categorized into two types, each offering unique benefits depending on your needs and how long you plan to use them:

1. Always Free Services

These are services that remain free indefinitely, as long as you stay within certain usage limits. They’re perfect for ongoing projects, small-scale applications, or continuous experimentation. Here’s what you can expect:

Examples:

• Azure App Service: Run up to 10 web, mobile, or API apps with 1 GB storage.

• Azure Functions: Execute serverless code with up to 1 million requests per month.

• Azure Cosmos DB: Get 1,000 request units per second and 25 GB storage, always free.

These services provide a consistent, no-cost option for basic usage, allowing you to maintain small workloads without worrying about time-limited offers expiring.

2. 12-Month Free Services

These services are available for free for the first 12 months after you create your Azure subscription. They are designed to give you a head start with more robust tools and higher usage limits, perfect for launching and testing more significant projects during your first year:

Examples:

• Virtual Machines (Linux/Windows): 750 hours per month of B1s burstable VM for the first 12 months.

• Azure SQL Database: 100,000 vCore seconds of serverless usage per month.

• Azure Cosmos DB (Extended Tier): An additional 400 request units per second provisioned throughput with 25 GB storage.

These services offer a powerful way to build and scale applications in your first year without immediate costs, but it’s crucial to plan for what happens when the 12 months are up and costs start to apply.

A full list of the free services and their limitations can be found here.

Getting Started with Azure: Free Credits and Services

When you create a new Azure subscription through the Azure Free Account page, you not only gain access to a variety of free services but also receive $200 in credits to use during the first 30 days. This credit gives you the flexibility to explore and experiment with other Azure resources beyond the always-free and 12-month free services, allowing you to test out more advanced features or scale up your projects temporarily.

Explore Additional Free Resources

In addition to the standard free services and credits, it’s worth checking whether you’re eligible for other types of Azure subscriptions that offer similar benefits:

• Azure for Students: If you’re a student, you might be eligible for the Azure for Students offer, which includes $100 in credits, access to popular free services, and free developer tools like Visual Studio Code.

• MSDN Subscription Credits: If you have access to an MSDN (now part of Visual Studio subscriptions) account through your organization or school, you may receive additional monthly credits to use on Azure services. These credits vary depending on the subscription level but can be a great way to explore Azure at no extra cost.

While these options aren’t exactly "free services" in the traditional sense, the effect can be the same. They provide you with a budget to experiment, develop, and learn on the Azure platform without having to immediately dip into your own funds. This initial financial support can be crucial in the early stages of learning Azure or launching a new project.

Conclusion

Azure offers a robust collection of free services that empower you to explore, experiment, and even launch projects without worrying about the initial costs. Whether you’re taking advantage of always-free services, using the 12-month free offerings, or leveraging additional credits, Azure provides the tools you need to innovate without financial barriers.

However, while these free services are a great starting point, it's essential to keep track of your usage. Monitoring your consumption ensures that you stay within the free tiers and avoid any unexpected charges. With careful planning and oversight, you can make the most of what Azure has to offer, turning your ideas into reality without breaking the bank.

So, don’t let budget constraints hold you back. Dive into Azure’s free services and start building today!

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