Free Version of Azure for Training?

Question

I would like a free version of an Azure SQL database so I can follow along with the Microsoft T-SQL Fundamentals manual. Is such a service offered? Would that just be the free trial?

Answer 1

Yes, I think only 1 Month free trial is the option to practice on Azure SQL

I used free trial subscription for a Month and later upgraded subscription to pay-as-you-go type. I modified my Azure SQL DB type to serverless so it will charge me only when I use it not per Month charges

Another option is to use Microsoft learn path for azure sql where they provide sandbox account for free but there will be few limitations. See exercise modules in below learning path:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/azure-sql-fundamentals/

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Please don't forget to Accept Answer and Up-vote if the response helped -- Vaibhav

Answer 2

You can create a free version of Azure SQL Database using PowerShell.

$sqlServer = New-AzureRmSqlServer -ServerName $sqlServerName -Location $desiredLocation.Location -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroup.ResourceGroupName -SqlAdministratorCredentials $sqlAdminCredential -ErrorAction Stop -Verbose

New-AzureRmSqlDatabase -DatabaseName $DatabaseName  -ServerName $sqlServer.ServerName -ResourceGroupName $resourceGroup.ResourceGroupName -Edition 'Free' -RequestedServiceObjectiveName 'Free'

You can have only one free Azure SQL Server database per region, it reverts to Standard Edition after 365 days.

Here's the list of Azure locations that do support the creation of a limited time (365 days) Free Azure SQL Server and Azure SQL Database:

Location           DisplayName          SQL?
--------           -----------          -----
australiaeast      Australia East       WORKS
australiasoutheast Australia Southeast  WORKS
centralindia       Central India        WORKS
eastasia           East Asia            WORKS
francecentral      France Central       WORKS
japaneast          Japan East           WORKS
japanwest          Japan West           WORKS
koreacentral       Korea Central        WORKS
koreasouth         Korea South          WORKS
northcentralus     North Central US     WORKS
northeurope        North Europe         WORKS
southeastasia      Southeast Asia       WORKS
southindia         South India          WORKS
uksouth            UK South             WORKS
ukwest             UK West              WORKS
westcentralus      West Central US      WORKS
westeurope         West Europe          WORKS
westindia          West India           WORKS
westus2            West US 2            WORKS

Hope this helps.