Azure Virtual Machines

Comprehensive Documentation for Microsoft Azure Services

Azure Virtual Machines Free Tier

Explore the capabilities of Azure Virtual Machines with our generous free tier offerings. This program provides a fantastic opportunity for individuals, developers, and small businesses to experiment with cloud computing and build scalable applications without upfront costs.

What's Included in the Free Tier?

  • Compute: Access to a selection of general-purpose virtual machine sizes, ideal for a wide range of workloads.
  • Storage: Includes a certain amount of managed disk storage for your virtual machines.
  • Networking: Basic networking capabilities to connect your VMs to the internet and other Azure services.
  • Operating Systems: Options to deploy popular Linux and Windows Server distributions.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Requires a valid Azure subscription.
  • Free tier benefits are typically available for the first 12 months of a new subscription.
  • Specific VM sizes and resource limits apply.
  • Subject to Azure Free Account terms and conditions.

Understanding Usage Limits

It's important to understand the limits of the free tier to avoid unexpected charges. The free tier provides a set amount of resources per month. Exceeding these limits will result in standard pay-as-you-go rates.

  • Monthly Compute Hours: A specific number of hours for eligible VM sizes.
  • Monthly Data Transfer: Limits on outbound data transfer.
  • Managed Disk Storage: A certain GB of premium or standard SSD managed disk storage.
  • Static Public IP Addresses: Limited number of reserved public IP addresses.

For detailed, up-to-the-minute limits, please refer to the Azure Pricing Page and filter for Virtual Machines and Free Account benefits.

Example VM Sizes in Free Tier

The following are examples of VM sizes often included in the free tier (specifics may vary):

  • B1s: A burstable VM size suitable for low-traffic websites, development environments, and small data processing tasks.
  • D2s_v3 (limited hours): A general-purpose VM that might be included for a limited number of hours per month.

Always check the latest Azure Free Account details for the most accurate information.

How to Get Started

  1. Create an Azure Account: If you don't have one, sign up for a free Azure account.
  2. Navigate to Virtual Machines: In the Azure portal, search for "Virtual machines" and select it.
  3. Create a Virtual Machine: Click "Create" and select your desired VM configuration, paying attention to the "Free tier eligible" tags or details.
  4. Monitor Your Usage: Use the Azure Cost Management + Billing tools to track your free tier consumption.

Deploy your first VM and start experiencing the power of Azure cloud computing today!

Create a Free Tier VM

Important Considerations

The Azure Free Account is a great starting point, but it's crucial to manage your resources effectively. Familiarize yourself with Azure's resource management tools and set up budget alerts to stay informed about your spending.