How to Select and Save on Azure Virtual Machines

Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are a significant component of Azure cloud expenses, yet many users are not fully utilizing available cost optimization strategies such as Reserved VM Instances and savings plans, which offer substantial discounts. Azure provides various pricing options, including pay-as-you-go, Reserved VM Instances, Spot VMs, and savings plans, each catering to different workload needs and offering varying degrees of cost savings. Selecting the appropriate VM type and size is crucial for performance and cost efficiency, with Azure offering a range of VM categories tailored to specific use cases. Additionally, tools like Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, and third-party solutions such as Vantage help users analyze and optimize their VM usage for better financial planning. Strategies such as autoscaling, automatic deallocation, and deleting unused VMs further aid in reducing costs, while the Azure Hybrid Benefit provides added savings for users transitioning from on-premises environments. Effective VM management involves continuous monitoring and adjustments to ensure right-sizing and optimal resource utilization, thereby minimizing unnecessary expenditures.