Octobits Blog – A lot of the digital transformations we’re seeing in the Australian industry are built around the idea of virtual machines (VMs), which are the foundation of cloud computing infrastructure.
So, Microsoft Azure, one of the top cloud service providers, offers a great range of VM solutions in the Australian business market.
The thing is, Microsoft Azure VPS pricing structure is often a big issue, especially for Australian startups looking for cost-effective and scalable solutions.
That’s why we need to go into more detail about the pricing here. Right, let’s get started.
What are Azure Virtual Machines?
Azure Virtual Machines, or Azure VMs, are basically software versions of physical computers.
Microsoft has named its Virtual Private Servers (VPS) Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) on its Azure platform.
This branding not only fits in with what other companies are doing, but it also shows how Azure VMs can help users with all the features and flexibility they need.
These VMs let businesses enjoy the flexibility of virtualisation without having to invest in physical hardware.
Azure VMs are great for all sorts of things, like development and testing environments, hosting apps in the cloud, or extending your existing data centre’s capabilities.
Azure VMs let you deploy and manage both Windows and Linux virtual machines.
They can run on lots of different operating systems, including Windows Server, Ubuntu, and CentOS, so they’re great for different types of workloads.
With all those benefits, the term VPS might traditionally refer to a more limited set of features.
But with Azure, you get a full-fledged VM environment with lots of options for configuration and integration.
Types of Azure VMs
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are great for all kinds of computing tasks, with each type designed to be really effective at specific workloads.
Azure’s got a lot to offer, and there’s sure to be a VM that’s just right for your business.
General Purpose VMs
General-purpose VMs are a great all-rounder when it comes to CPU and memory resources. So yes, these VMs is perfect for a whole range of applications.
The B-series is a great example of this category. It’s perfect for development and testing environments, small to medium-sized databases, and web servers handling low to moderate traffic.
The B2ms VM is a great option for these types of tasks, with 8 GB of RAM and a price tag of around AUD 60.73 per month on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Compute Optimized VMs
If you’re looking for a VM to handle some heavy-duty processing, then a Compute Optimized VM is your best bet. These VMs is designed with a higher CPU-to-memory ratio.
These VMs great for tasks that use a lot of CPU power, like batch processing and handling high volumes of web traffic.
Memory Optimized VMs
Memory Optimized VMs are the best choice for applications that require substantial memory.
These VMs are designed for tasks like managing big relational databases and in-memory analytics, where you need all the RAM you can get.
Their optimised architecture makes sure that even the most memory-hungry apps run smoothly.
Storage Optimized VMs
Ideal for applications with lots of storage operations to do, Storage Optimized VMs are the way to go.
These VMs are designed for high disk throughput and input/output (I/O) performance.
These VMs are great for big data applications and databases, both SQL and NoSQL.
To complete your overview, kindly read “Azure Microsoft Antimalware Pricing: Features, Plans, & Tips To Saving Cost.”
GPU VMs
GPU VMs let you tap into the power of graphics processing units in the cloud. These VMs are designed for tasks that require a lot of graphics rendering and video editing.
GPUs VMs are also great for powering machine learning and AI tasks. They’re a vital tool for cutting-edge applications because they can process complex graphics and run sophisticated algorithms at high speeds.
High Performance Compute VMs
Azure’s High Performance Compute VMs are built for the most demanding computational tasks.
These are Azure’s fastest and most powerful VMs, perfect for intricate and resource-intensive applications like financial risk modelling, seismic simulation, and genomic research.
The HBv3-series is the best of the best when it comes to Azure’s VM offerings. It delivers unparalleled processing power for specialised, high-stakes workloads.
Microsoft Azure VPS Pricing Models
Microsoft Azure’s pricing structure for its Virtual Machines (VMs) is designed to be flexible and cost-effective.
There are different pricing models to suit a range of users and workloads.
With the Pay-as-You-Go model, you only pay for the compute resources you use, billed on a per-second basis.
Plus, you don’t have to make any upfront commitments or sign long-term contracts.
This model is great for businesses with workloads that change a lot, where you need to be able to scale up or down quickly.
But, if your workload is more predictable, Reserved Instances could save you a lot of money.
If you commit to a one-year or three-year term, you can get discounts of up to 72% compared to pay-as-you-go rates.
This model is great for long-term projects or apps with a steady usage pattern.
It lets businesses make the most of their cloud spending while making sure they have the resources they need.
The last pricing option is Spot VMs, which is a great way to make the most of any spare Azure compute capacity you’ve got.
You can often get them for up to 90% less than the regular price.
The downside to these big discounts is that Spot VMs can be interrupted if Azure needs the capacity for other things.
However, if your workload can cope with the odd interruption, like batch processing or testing, Spot VMs can be a great way to save money.
Factors Affecting Azure VPS Pricing
Running a virtual machine (VM) on Azure doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all price tag.
There are a number of factors at play that can have a big impact on your monthly bill.
That’s why we often see internet forum discussions, like this one on Reddit, talking about the best pricing structure.
The main thing that affects the price of an Azure VM is the size of the VM.
The size you choose directly affects the amount of processing power, memory, and temporary storage you get.
For example, a general-purpose B2s v2 VM with 2 vCPUs and 8 GiB RAM costs around AUD 60.74 per month, while a compute-optimised F32s v2 with 32 vCPUs and 64 GiB RAM is significantly more expensive at AUD 987.69 per month.
The operating system you choose also affects the price. Windows VMs usually cost more because of the licensing fees for the operating system.
The Azure Hybrid Benefit lets you use your existing on-premises Windows Server licences, which could save you a lot of money.
Another important thing to think about is where you deploy your VM.
Azure prices can differ from region to region because of differences in running costs and the availability of infrastructure.
If you’re an Australian business, you might want to choose a region closer to home, like Australia East or Australia Southeast. That way, you could save on latency and data transfer costs.
The way you pay also makes a big difference to how much you’ll spend overall.
For example, while Reserved Instances offer big discounts for predictable workloads, Spot VMs give you access to unused capacity at heavily discounted rates, but there’s a chance of interruptions.
Aside from the base VM costs, other factors like storage, networking, and extra services like load balancing or backup solutions also affect the overall price.
For example, data transfer costs between regions or from on-premises to the cloud can really add up, especially if you don’t manage it carefully.
Read “A Microsoft Azure Blob Storage Pricing is Right if You Know These Secrets“ to find out how Bold’s pricing structure works.
Azure Cost Optimization Strategies
The first thing you need to do to cut costs is make sure your VMs are the right size.
Provisioning too many resources can mean unnecessary costs, while provisioning too few can slow things down.
Azure’s Advisor tool is a great help here. It can tell you which VMs you’re not using and suggest more cost-effective alternatives.
Another great way to save money is through the Azure Hybrid Benefit.
If your business already has on-premises Windows Server or SQL Server licences, you can move them to Azure and make a big saving on your VM costs.
For businesses with a pretty predictable workload, committing to Azure Reserved VM Instances is a great way to save a lot of money.
If you commit to a one-year or three-year term, you can get discounts of up to 72% compared to pay-as-you-go prices.
If your workloads can handle the odd interruption, Spot VMs are a great way to access unused Azure computing power at a big discount.
While these VMs might be interrupted if Azure needs the capacity back, they can be a great way to save money on tasks like batch processing or testing environments.
Just shutting down unused VMs can also save you a lot of money.
Just make sure you turn off your VMs when you’re not using them to avoid any extra charges.
Azure’s automation features make it even easier to manage your VMs. You can schedule shutdowns and startups based on how you use them.
Meanwhile, if you’re doing development and testing, Azure Dev/Test pricing offers some great discounts for active Visual Studio subscribers.
You can also use Octobits, a SaaS management platform and expert help.
How Octobits Help You Optimise Microsoft Azure VPS Pricing Structure
Our experts will work with you to review your security setup, identify any potential weaknesses, and recommend the most suitable Microsoft VM plan for your needs.
But there’s more. We’ll help you keep track of how you’re using your Azure VMs, find ways to save money, and make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment.
With Octobits, you can relax knowing that your Azure environment is protected against threats while you keep an eye on your budget.
We’re talking peace of mind, compliance, confidence, and a whole lot less stress.
Sounds too good to be true? We get it. That’s why we suggest you do your homework. Have a look at the Octobits main page to see how we can help you with pricing issues.
Or, are you ready for a coffee and croissants? Let’s get to know each other better. We’ll show you how we can help you get through the pricing maze with ease.
In Closing
It’s worth taking the time to understand and manage the factors that affect Microsoft Azure VPS pricing, as this is the best way to keep your cloud costs down.
If you put cost-saving strategies in place, you can make some big savings. At the end of the day, it’s all about planning ahead and keeping an eye on things.
Plus, if you stay up to date and take the initiative, you can easily make sense of the ins and outs of Microsoft Azure VPS pricing.
