(Free subscription) SQL database on Azure SQL Server has pricing despite claiming to be free

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(Free subscription) SQL database on Azure SQL Server has pricing despite claiming to be free

Nguyen Thien Dang 25

I am a new user, created a free subscription of Azure, which claims to have several free services, including "SQL Server: 250 GB S0 instance with 10 database transaction units (12 months)".

I've created an SQL Server from the Azure portal, then a database in that server. However, when checking that server out, I see a line saying "Pricing tier: Standard S0: 10 DTUs", and clicking on that leads me to the following page, where I am shown an estimated cost for this service even though I'm using a free subscription. May be an image of text

Am I at any risk of being charged for this? I'm only trying out a very small & simple SQL Server database (nowhere near the allowed 250 GB limit) that I could test on 2-3 PCs at home for learning, no public nor business uses, and I wouldn't want to pay for this.

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Answer 1

Amira Bedhiafi 33,071 Volunteer Moderator

I understand your confusion and I am here to help :)

When you sign up for an Azure Free Account, you receive a certain amount of free services and credits that you can use within a first 30 days. Beyond that, there are a select set of services that remain free for the next 12 months, and other services that are always free (with some limitations).

It seems that you are entitled to "SQL Server: 250 GB S0 instance with 10 database transaction units (12 months)". This means for 12 months you shouldn't be charged for an S0 instance up to 250 GB.

Sometimes, the Azure Portal will show an estimated service cost even if they're covered under a free tier or a credit. This estimate is a general informational point to show you the cost outside of the free subscription or once you've exceeded the free tier limitations.

If you have strictly adhered to the free tier offerings (like using an S0 instance and not going beyond 250 GB), you should not be charged. However, any usage beyond the stated free limits would result in charges.

What I recommend :

Periodically check your Azure cost and usage in the portal to ensure you're not incurring unexpected charges.
Set up budget alerts so you're notified if and when you approach a certain cost threshold.
If you're unsure or want clarification about a certain service and its associated costs, reach out to Azure support or consult the Azure pricing page for details.

Nguyen Thien Dang 25 Reputation points

2023-09-16T08:01:15.5533333+00:00

Thank you for the detailed answer!

I would've personally prefered having some kind of notice saying I wouldn't be charged as I am using a free subscription, this estimation just made me a bit anxious.
Erland Sommarskog 121.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-09-16T08:41:34.9+00:00

Did you provide any credit-card information when you created the account? If you did not - you will not be charged, since Microsoft does not have a way to charge you.

I don't know exactly how this free subscription works, but myself I have a free account through my Visual Studio subscription. This account gives me a monthly credit of 150 USD, so for me those prices are relevant if I don't pay. Because if I run out of my credits, my account is locked for the rest of the billing period - unless I cough up a credit card to pay with my own money.

I would also say that the pricing is information is relevant to show, since you may be interested in using the same service in a paid subscription.
Nguyen Thien Dang 25 Reputation points

2023-09-16T11:31:06.5066667+00:00

@Erland

I did, it's a requirement to sign up for a free Azure account. It does say I won't be charged until I move to "pay as you go" subscription tiers, or if I overshoot my usage limits. But I just wanted to be sure because I don't see anything on the estimation page suggesting that "this price is how much you'd pay iff you don't have a free subscription"

I very much appreciate the estimated pricing info for future paid usage, I just think it would've been more clarifying to also show some kind of note mentioning how this won't apply to free subscriptions.
Erland Sommarskog 121.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2023-09-16T12:11:46.5866667+00:00

If you left a credit card, I understand that you get nervous. I would be too. :-)

And it is probably a good idea to keep track of your spending, so that you don't spin up something expensive, and all of a sudden you are charged something. So I would say that seeing that cost is essential, and you get an understanding whether it's in your free allowance.

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(Free subscription) SQL database on Azure SQL Server has pricing despite claiming to be free

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