Azure Blob Storage
Microsoft Azure's object storage for unstructured data, backups, archives and data lakes.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web
Is Azure Blob Storage free?
No, it's a paid product
- Free trial:
- $200 credit for 30 days
Checked on Azure Blob Storage's site Nov 8, 2026
4 alternatives with a free optionSwitch from Azure Blob Storage to
All 5
Amazon S3CompareFree Tier: Up to $200 in credits for new AWS customers
Google Cloud StorageCompareFree plan + paid
Cloudflare R2CompareStandard storage price: $0.015 per GB-month
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Azure Blob Storage
Azure Blob Storage is Microsoft's object storage service, holding files of any kind as blobs inside storage accounts. You choose an access tier per object or account: Premium for low-latency workloads, Hot for frequently used data, Cool and Cold for infrequent access, and Archive for long-term retention at the lowest price, with lifecycle rules moving data between them. Data Lake Storage adds a hierarchical file namespace on top for analytics engines. Access can be controlled with Microsoft Entra ID and role-based access control, and data is encrypted at rest. It is used for app uploads, media, backups, tape replacement and analytics pipelines, and integrates with the rest of Azure. Billing is pay-as-you-go per gigabyte stored, operations and data transfer, with reserved capacity discounts; new accounts can try Azure free for a limited period. It suits organisations already invested in Microsoft's cloud and identity tools.
Best for: Organisations on Microsoft Azure that want object storage tied into Entra ID and Azure analytics..
Azure Blob Storage pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Azure Blob Storage's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | $200 credit for 30 days | Nov 8, 2026 | azure.microsoft.com |
| Reserved capacity example | $18540 a year for 100 TB Hot LRS (US West 2) | Nov 8, 2026 | azure.microsoft.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Five access tiers from Premium down to Archive
- Entra ID and role-based access control built in
- Data Lake Storage layer for analytics workloads
Why people leave
- Not S3-compatible, so S3 tools and SDKs need adapting
- Data transfer out and operations add to the bill
- Pricing page and tier rules are complex to compare
Azure Blob Storage vs Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage and Cloudflare R2
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Azure Blob Storage | Amazon S3 | Google Cloud Storage | Cloudflare R2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | $200 credit for 30 days | Up to $200 in credits for new AWS customers | — | $0.015 per GB-month |
| Free plan | No | Up to $200 in credits for new AWS customers | 5 GiB Standard storage per month | 10 GB storage per month |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web | Web | Web |
Full Azure Blob Storage vs Amazon S3 comparisonFull Azure Blob Storage vs Google Cloud Storage comparisonFull Azure Blob Storage vs Cloudflare R2 comparison
Top Azure Blob Storage alternatives
See all 5- 1Amazon S368.8
The de facto object storage API, supported by almost every backup and data tool.
- 2Google Cloud Storage64.8
Similar tiered storage classes with a monthly free allowance, for teams moving to Google Cloud.
- 3Cloudflare R261.8
S3-compatible storage with no egress fees, cheaper when you serve a lot of data to users.
- 4WaWasabi59.4
Single flat storage price with no egress or request fees, simpler to budget than Azure tiers.
- 5
MinIO57.5Self-hosted S3-compatible storage for keeping data in your own data centre.
Why people left Azure Blob Storage
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Azure Blob Storage, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of Azure Blob Storage
Azure Blob Storage: common questions
What is Azure Blob Storage?
Azure Blob Storage: Microsoft Azure's object storage for unstructured data, backups, archives and data lakes. Best for organisations on Microsoft Azure that want object storage tied into Entra ID and Azure analytics. Available for Web.
Is Azure Blob Storage free?
No, Azure Blob Storage is a paid product.
How much does Azure Blob Storage cost?
Azure Blob Storage is a paid product. Free trial: $200 credit for 30 days; Reserved capacity example: $18540 a year for 100 TB Hot LRS (US West 2). Checked on Azure Blob Storage's own site, November 2026.
Does Azure Blob Storage have a free trial or refund?
Free trial: $200 credit for 30 days. Source: Azure Blob Storage's own site.
Is Azure Blob Storage open source?
No, Azure Blob Storage is not open source.
What platforms does Azure Blob Storage run on?
Azure Blob Storage is available for Web.
What are the best alternatives to Azure Blob Storage?
The highest-ranked Azure Blob Storage alternatives right now are Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage and Cloudflare R2. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Azure Blob Storage vs Amazon S3: what's the difference?
Azure Blob Storage is a paid product; Amazon S3 is free with paid plans. Verified prices: Azure Blob Storage $200 credit for 30 days, Amazon S3 Up to $200 in credits for new AWS customers. Both run on Web.