Google Cloud vs Microsoft Azure: GPU pricing
Microsoft Azure is cheaper on 3 of 4 shared GPU models. Google Cloud is a hyperscaler (spot discounts up to ~60%); Microsoft Azure is a hyperscaler (enterprise/microsoft integration). Their cheapest published GPU rates are $0.71/hr and $3.06/hr respectively. The table below compares the 4 GPU models they both list. Snapshot June 2026 — cloud GPU prices change weekly; verify on the provider's pricing page before relying on a figure.
Data as of June 2026.
Google Cloud vs Microsoft Azure overview
| Factor | Google Cloud | Microsoft Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Type | hyperscaler | hyperscaler |
| GPUs priced | 5 | 6 |
| Cheapest GPU /hr | $0.71/hr | $3.06/hr |
| Billing | Per second (60s min) | Per second |
| Discount tier | Spot | Spot |
| Free credits | $300 free trial credit for new accounts (not GPU-specific); GPU quota must be requested. | $200 free credit for new accounts (not GPU-specific); GPU quota must be requested. |
Sources: Google Cloud Platform pricing · Microsoft Azure pricing.
Price per GPU, side by side
| GPU | GCP /hr | Azure /hr | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA H100 SXM | $10.98/hr | $12.29/hr | GCP |
| NVIDIA H200 | $10.85/hr | $10.60/hr | Azure |
| NVIDIA A100 40GB | $3.67/hr | $3.40/hr | Azure |
| NVIDIA A100 80GB | $5.07/hr | $3.67/hr | Azure |
Verdict
On the GPUs they both offer, Microsoft Azure comes out cheaper more often. But price is not everything: weigh reliability, region coverage, billing granularity and free credits. Read each provider's full breakdown — Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure — and model your own job in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure cheaper for GPUs?
On the GPUs they both offer, Microsoft Azure is cheaper on 3 of 4 shared GPU models. Microsoft Azure wins more head-to-heads in our June 2026 snapshot. Snapshot June 2026 — cloud GPU prices change weekly; verify on the provider's pricing page before relying on a figure.
What GPUs do Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure both offer?
Both publish prices for: NVIDIA H100 SXM, NVIDIA H200, NVIDIA A100 40GB, NVIDIA A100 80GB. See the side-by-side table above for each per-hour price.
Google Cloud vs Microsoft Azure: which should I pick?
Google Cloud (spot discounts up to ~60%) versus Microsoft Azure (enterprise/microsoft integration). Beyond sticker price, weigh reliability, region, billing granularity (Per second (60s min) vs Per second) and free credits. Model your real job in the calculator before deciding.
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Last updated: 2026-06-21