ComparisonMarch 14, 2026•11 min read
Azure GPU VMs vs Dedicated GPU Clouds: Cost Comparison
Microsoft Azure offers enterprise GPU VMs, but at a significant price premium. This analysis compares Azure's NCH100, NCA100, and NC T4 VMs against leading dedicated GPU clouds.
Azure GPU VM Pricing (2026)
| VM Size | GPU | On-Demand | 3-yr Reserved |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC40ads_H100_v5 | 1× H100 80GB | $5.40/hr | $2.16/hr |
| NC24ads_A100_v4 | 1× A100 80GB | $3.67/hr | $1.47/hr |
| NC6s_v3 | 1× V100 32GB | $3.06/hr | ~$1.22/hr |
| NC4as_T4_v3 | 1× T4 16GB | $0.526/hr | $0.21/hr |
Azure vs Dedicated GPU Clouds
| GPU | Azure (on-demand) | Lambda Labs | RunPod |
|---|---|---|---|
| A100 80GB | $3.67/hr | $2.49/hr | $2.49/hr |
| H100 80GB | $5.40/hr | $2.89/hr | $3.19/hr |
When Azure Makes Sense
- Your org uses Microsoft 365, Azure AD, or Azure OpenAI Service
- Compliance requires Microsoft's certifications (FedRAMP, SOC 2, ISO)
- You're committing to 3-year reservations (competitive with dedicated clouds)
- You need Windows GPU VMs or .NET GPU workloads
Hidden Azure Costs to Watch
- Egress: $0.087/GB leaving Azure
- Managed disk: $0.15–$0.20/GB/month
- Premium support: $300–$1,000+/month
- These can add 20–40% to your GPU compute bill
Find a Cheaper Alternative to Azure
Compare Azure GPU pricing vs 17+ dedicated GPU cloud providers.
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