How to automatically schedule the start and stopping of Azure Web App to save some cost?

Question

After deploying the Web App and App Service plan as part of the https://github.com/OfficeDev/microsoft-teams-apps-company-communicator solution in Azure,

I'm wondering if there's an automated way to schedule when my Azure Web App starts and stops to save on costs.

Because the daily cost is so expensive even when the solution is not in use.

Answer 1

Hi,

Stopping a Web App doesn't save any money since charges still accrue even when it is stopped. What you can do instead is to write a script to switch it to Free SKU and back to paid SKU on a schedule.

In order to switch to Free SKU you must first disable features that are unavailable on Free. For example, remove bindings for custom domain(s). And naturally when switching back to paid SKU you need to add the binding(s) back.

Please check your Web App and see which features you are using that are incompatible with Free and add comment below. You can start by attempting to switch it to Free and see if you get an error. Most common off the top of my head are custom domains, scaling, vNet integration.

Thanks.

-TP

Answer 2

Thanks for the additional follow-up on this.

There is no direct to way accomplish this via portal. As TP and Marcin Policht mentioned - you may automate the scaling up/down operation using any of the below services.

1. Logic App: Create a logic app workflow with HTTP action in it and thereby calling the App Service plans-update REST API.
   ( similar to the suggestions/in the URL shared by Marcin )
2. Automation Account: Create a Script using either PowerShell Cmdlet Set-AzAppServicePlan or by using AzCLI Cmdlet az appservice plan update
3. Azure Functions: Create a PowerShell Function App and run the above created script to scale up/down the App Service Plan (ASP).

References:

• If feasible, you may take a look similar approach, achieve this by creating a web job and placing a PowerShell script to STOP and START the web app*. (archived*) blog article: azure-app-services-automate-application-restart-using-web-job - (just shared for your reference)
• You may want to check this discussion thread on SO:  How to Pause or Stop Azure APP service in Night/Day Time when not required?
• You may upvote on this (old) Uservoice post: Auto-scale up and down not just out, for web apps. I'll also relay this feedback internally to our product team.

Answer 3

Follow https://www.stevefenton.co.uk/blog/2020/07/start-and-stop-an-azure-app-service-on-a-schedule-with-azure-logic-apps/

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hth

Marcin