10 Underrated Azure Services That Deserve More Attention
Azure offers more than just the popular cloud tools you hear about daily. Hidden gems among its services can dramatically improve your cloud strategy. Imagine cutting costs or boosting performance just by using the right tools. For instance, some companies have reclaimed up to 25% of their monthly Azure spend and redirected it toward innovation. By optimizing resources and automating tasks, you can unlock new possibilities. Whether it's enhancing reliability or speeding up operations, underrated Azure services hold the key to smarter cloud management.
Key Takeaways
Try Azure Bastion to safely access virtual machines without public IPs. It boosts security and makes management easier.
Use Azure SignalR Service to quickly add real-time updates to apps. It helps users see changes instantly without tricky setups.
Use Azure Durable Functions to handle complex tasks automatically. It tracks progress and connections without extra coding work.
Add Azure Cognitive Search to make app searches better. It uses AI to give more accurate and helpful results.
Use Azure Container Instances to run containers fast and easily. It's great for quick tasks without needing big setups.
Save time with Azure Logic Apps by automating tasks. Its visual tools connect services and handle boring, repeated work.
Use Azure DevTest Labs to set up and manage test environments. It helps save money and speeds up app development.
Use Azure Policy to keep your cloud safe and organized. It checks rules automatically and keeps everything secure.
1. Azure Bastion
Overview
Azure Bastion is a fully managed service that simplifies secure remote access to your virtual machines. Instead of exposing your VMs to the internet with public IPs, Azure Bastion acts as a bridge, allowing you to connect securely through the Azure portal. You don’t need to worry about configuring VPNs or managing jump servers. It’s designed to make remote access safer and easier for your cloud environment.
Key Features
No Public IPs Required: Azure Bastion eliminates the need for public IP addresses on your virtual machines, reducing exposure to potential threats.
Browser-Based Access: You can connect to your VMs directly from the Azure portal using your browser, without installing additional software.
Session Monitoring: The Premium tier offers graphical session recordings, helping you monitor activity and identify anomalies.
Seamless Integration: It integrates with Azure services like Virtual Network and Network Security Groups, ensuring a smooth setup process.
Enhanced Security: With built-in protection against port scanning and brute force attacks, Azure Bastion strengthens your cloud security posture.
Why It Deserves More Attention
If you’re managing virtual machines, you know how tricky remote access can get. Azure Bastion simplifies this process while boosting security. Its ability to eliminate public IPs significantly reduces attack vectors, making your environment less vulnerable. The Premium tier takes it a step further by offering session monitoring and graphical recordings. These features help you spot unusual activity and ensure compliance with internal policies.
Many users overlook Azure Bastion because they assume VPNs or jump servers are the only options for secure remote access. However, Bastion provides a more streamlined and secure alternative. It’s especially useful for organizations prioritizing security without wanting to deal with complex configurations. By integrating Azure Bastion into your cloud strategy, you can enhance security, simplify operations, and focus on scaling your business.
2. Azure SignalR Service
Overview
Azure SignalR Service is a fully managed service designed to simplify the process of adding real-time web functionality to your applications. It enables you to push updates to connected clients instantly, making it perfect for scenarios like live dashboards, chat applications, or collaborative tools. Instead of managing your own infrastructure, you can rely on Azure SignalR Service to handle the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on building engaging user experiences.
This service is built on the popular SignalR library, which many developers already know and love. By offloading the complexities of scaling and managing connections, Azure SignalR Service ensures your applications remain responsive, even under heavy traffic.
Key Features
Here’s what makes Azure SignalR Service stand out:
Real-Time Messaging: Send updates to thousands of connected clients in milliseconds.
Serverless Integration: Works seamlessly with Azure Functions and Azure App Services, enabling you to build serverless real-time applications.
Automatic Scaling: Handles connection scaling automatically, so you don’t have to worry about infrastructure limits.
Protocol Support: Supports WebSockets, Server-Sent Events (SSE), and Long Polling, ensuring compatibility with various client environments.
Authentication and Security: Integrates with Azure Active Directory and other authentication providers to secure your connections.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Real-time functionality is becoming a must-have for modern applications, yet many developers shy away from it due to its perceived complexity. Azure SignalR Service removes these barriers by offering a simple, managed solution. You don’t need to worry about setting up servers, managing connections, or scaling infrastructure. It’s all handled for you.
This service is especially valuable for applications that require instant updates, like stock tickers, live sports scores, or collaborative editing tools. Imagine building a chat app where messages appear instantly or a dashboard that updates in real time without refreshing the page. Azure SignalR Service makes these scenarios easy to implement.
Many developers overlook this service because they assume real-time features are too complex or resource-intensive. However, Azure SignalR Service proves that adding real-time capabilities can be straightforward and cost-effective. By incorporating it into your toolkit, you can create more dynamic and engaging applications that stand out in today’s competitive market.
3. Azure Durable Functions
Overview
Azure Durable Functions is an extension of Azure Functions that lets you build stateful, serverless workflows. It’s perfect for automating complex, long-running processes that require coordination between multiple tasks. Think of it as a way to orchestrate your functions seamlessly, without worrying about managing state or dependencies. Whether you’re handling approval workflows, data processing pipelines, or event-driven automation, Durable Functions makes it easier to manage these scenarios.
Unlike traditional serverless models, Durable Functions keeps track of the state of your workflows. This means you can pause and resume tasks, retry failed operations, and even chain multiple functions together. All of this happens without you needing to write extra code for state management.
Key Features
Here’s what makes Azure Durable Functions stand out:
Orchestration Patterns: Supports patterns like function chaining, fan-out/fan-in, and human interaction workflows, giving you flexibility in designing your processes.
State Management: Automatically manages state, so you don’t have to worry about storing or retrieving data between function calls.
Event-Driven: Triggers workflows based on events, making it ideal for real-time applications.
Cost Efficiency: Operates on a pay-per-use model, ensuring you only pay for what you use. Proper optimization can help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
Scalability: Scales automatically to handle high loads, ensuring your workflows remain responsive and reliable.
💡 Tip: To optimize costs, monitor factors like execution time, memory allocation, and the number of invocations. Balancing these can help you achieve both performance and efficiency.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Durable Functions is a game-changer for anyone building event-driven or stateful applications. It simplifies complex workflows by handling orchestration and state management for you. This means you can focus on your business logic instead of worrying about infrastructure.
Many developers overlook Durable Functions because they assume serverless solutions can’t handle stateful workflows. However, this service proves otherwise. It’s especially useful for scenarios like processing orders, managing approval systems, or coordinating microservices. For example, you can use it to chain multiple functions together, ensuring each step completes before moving to the next.
Durable Functions also shines when it comes to cost and scalability. By optimizing execution time and memory usage, you can keep costs low while maintaining high performance. Plus, its ability to scale automatically ensures your workflows stay responsive, even during traffic spikes.
If you’re already using Azure services, Durable Functions integrates seamlessly into your existing environment. It’s a powerful tool that can save you time, reduce complexity, and improve efficiency. Give it a try—you might be surprised at how much it simplifies your workflows.
4. Azure Cognitive Search
Overview
Azure Cognitive Search is a powerful, fully managed search-as-a-service solution. It helps you build rich search experiences for your applications, whether you're working on a website, mobile app, or enterprise software. With its advanced indexing and query capabilities, this service allows you to deliver fast, accurate, and relevant search results to your users.
Unlike traditional search tools, Azure Cognitive Search goes beyond simple keyword matching. It integrates with AI-powered features like natural language processing, image recognition, and sentiment analysis. These capabilities make it easier to extract meaningful insights from your data. Whether you're dealing with structured or unstructured content, this service can handle it all.
Key Features
Azure Cognitive Search stands out with its robust set of features:
Scalability: Index billions of items without worrying about performance bottlenecks.
Advanced Query Capabilities: Perform geosearch, pattern matching, and real-time indexing for dynamic search experiences.
AI Integration: Leverage Cognitive Services for language detection, image tagging, and sentiment analysis.
Custom Relevance Ranking: Fine-tune how search results are ranked to meet your specific needs.
No Size Limits: Index large files, even those over 10 GB, without restrictions.
Ease of Use: As a fully managed service, it simplifies scaling and maintenance, freeing you to focus on your application.
💡 Tip: Use the built-in AI features to enhance your search results. For example, you can tag images automatically or detect the language of a document to improve user experience.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Cognitive Search is often overlooked because many developers stick to basic search tools or rely on SharePoint Online search. However, this service offers unmatched flexibility and performance. It’s faster than SharePoint search, both in indexing and query execution. Plus, it overcomes common limitations like file size restrictions and indexing caps.
Imagine you're building an e-commerce platform. With Azure Cognitive Search, you can create a search bar that not only finds products but also suggests related items, filters results by location, and even understands typos. These features can significantly improve user satisfaction and drive sales.
The service also shines in enterprise scenarios. You can index massive datasets, customize relevance rankings, and ensure your employees find the information they need quickly. Its AI-powered capabilities, like sentiment analysis and image recognition, add an extra layer of intelligence to your search solutions.
If you're looking to enhance your applications with smarter, faster, and more scalable search functionality, Azure Cognitive Search is worth exploring. It’s one of those azure services that can transform how users interact with your data, making it a hidden gem in the cloud ecosystem.
5. Azure Container Instances
Overview
Azure Container Instances (ACI) is a lightweight, serverless container service that lets you run containers without managing virtual machines or complex orchestration tools. It’s perfect for scenarios where you need quick, isolated, and scalable container deployments. Whether you're running a single container or multiple containers in a group, ACI provides a simple and efficient way to deploy and manage them.
With ACI, you can focus on your application instead of worrying about the underlying infrastructure. It’s designed to handle short-term tasks, event-driven workloads, or even development and testing environments. You get the flexibility of containers without the overhead of managing a Kubernetes cluster.
Key Features
Here’s what makes Azure Container Instances stand out:
Rapid Deployment: Containers can be deployed in seconds, making ACI ideal for applications that require immediate responsiveness.
Serverless Simplicity: No need to manage servers or clusters. ACI handles the infrastructure for you.
Scalability: Quickly scale up or down to meet changing workloads. This is especially useful for dynamic environments.
Cost Efficiency: Pay only for the resources you use, such as CPU and memory, without additional overhead.
Multi-OS Support: Run both Linux and Windows containers side by side.
Secure Isolation: Each container runs in its own secure, isolated environment, ensuring your workloads remain protected.
💡 Tip: Use ACI for burst workloads or when you need to process data quickly without committing to long-term infrastructure.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Container Instances is a hidden gem among azure services. It’s often overshadowed by Kubernetes, but ACI offers a simpler and faster alternative for many use cases. For example, you can deploy containers on demand with a single command. This makes it perfect for event-driven applications or microservices that need to scale rapidly.
The speed of ACI is a game-changer. Containers start up in seconds because they share the host operating system kernel. This is much faster than spinning up virtual machines, which can take minutes. If you’re working in a fast-paced environment, this speed can make a huge difference.
ACI also shines when it comes to scalability. You can quickly add or remove containers to match your workload. This flexibility ensures you’re always prepared for sudden spikes in demand. Plus, the lightweight nature of containers means you can deploy them without worrying about heavy infrastructure costs.
Many developers overlook ACI because they assume it’s only for small-scale projects. However, it’s incredibly versatile. You can use it for anything from batch processing to running APIs or even as a backend for mobile apps. Its simplicity and speed make it a valuable tool for modern cloud strategies.
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your container deployments and reduce complexity, Azure Container Instances deserves a closer look. It’s a powerful yet underrated service that can help you stay agile and efficient in today’s dynamic cloud landscape.
6. Azure Logic Apps
Overview
Azure Logic Apps is a cloud-based service that helps you automate workflows and integrate applications, data, and services. It’s like having a digital assistant that handles repetitive tasks for you. Whether you’re connecting on-premises systems or cloud-based services, Logic Apps makes it easy to streamline processes.
You can use it to automate tasks like sending email notifications, processing data, or integrating with third-party services like Salesforce or SAP. The best part? You don’t need to write a single line of code. Its drag-and-drop interface allows you to create workflows visually, making it accessible even if you’re not a developer.
Key Features
Azure Logic Apps comes packed with features that simplify workflow automation:
Pre-Built Connectors: Choose from hundreds of connectors for popular services like Office 365, Twitter, and SQL Server.
Visual Designer: Build workflows using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface.
Event-Driven Triggers: Start workflows automatically based on events, such as receiving an email or updating a database.
Scalability: Handle workloads of any size, from small tasks to enterprise-level processes.
Hybrid Integration: Connect cloud services with on-premises systems using the on-premises data gateway.
Error Handling: Built-in retry policies and error handling ensure your workflows run smoothly.
💡 Tip: Use Logic Apps to automate time-consuming tasks like data synchronization or report generation. It saves time and reduces errors.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Logic Apps is a hidden gem for businesses looking to save time and cut costs. Many people overlook it because they assume automation requires coding skills. However, Logic Apps proves that anyone can create powerful workflows with minimal effort.
Let’s look at some real-world examples. In the retail industry, automating inventory management with Logic Apps has reduced stockouts by 30% and cut operational costs by 20%. Finance teams have used it to automate compliance reporting, slashing reporting time by 40% and improving data accuracy. Healthcare providers have integrated patient data, boosting system efficiency by 25%. Logistics companies have automated shipment tracking, reducing manual errors by 50% and improving customer satisfaction.
These numbers show how Logic Apps can transform operations across industries. Imagine automating your workflows and freeing up time for more strategic tasks. You could focus on growing your business instead of getting bogged down by repetitive processes.
Azure Logic Apps isn’t just about saving time—it’s about working smarter. Its ability to connect diverse systems and services makes it a versatile tool for any organization. If you haven’t explored it yet, now’s the time to see how it can simplify your operations and boost efficiency.
7. Azure DevTest Labs
Overview
Azure DevTest Labs is a service designed to simplify the process of creating and managing development and testing environments in the cloud. It allows you to spin up virtual machines (VMs) and other resources quickly, so you can focus on coding and testing instead of worrying about infrastructure. Whether you're working on a small project or a large-scale application, DevTest Labs helps you stay agile by providing a controlled, cost-effective environment for your team.
The service is particularly useful for developers and testers who need to experiment with different configurations or test scenarios. You can create pre-configured templates, automate resource provisioning, and even set policies to control costs. It’s like having a sandbox where you can innovate without the risk of overspending or disrupting production systems.
Key Features
Azure DevTest Labs offers a range of features that make it a must-have for development teams:
Pre-Configured Templates: Use reusable templates to create environments quickly, saving time and ensuring consistency.
Cost Control: Set spending limits and auto-shutdown policies to avoid unexpected bills.
Integration with CI/CD Tools: Seamlessly integrate with tools like Azure DevOps to streamline your development pipeline.
Custom Images: Create and share custom VM images tailored to your project needs.
Environment Sharing: Share lab environments with your team, making collaboration easier.
Automation: Use ARM templates and PowerShell scripts to automate resource provisioning and management.
💡 Tip: Use auto-shutdown policies to turn off VMs when they’re not in use. This simple step can significantly reduce costs.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure DevTest Labs is often overlooked because many teams stick to traditional methods for managing development environments. However, this service offers unique advantages that can transform how you approach development and testing.
One of its standout benefits is cost savings. By using DevTest Labs, you can take advantage of discounted pricing for development and testing workloads. For example, a D4s v3 Windows VM costs around $350 per month at standard pricing, but only $175 per month in a DevTest Lab—saving you 50%. The same applies to other resources like Azure SQL Databases and App Service Plans. Here’s a quick breakdown:
These savings add up, especially for teams running multiple environments. Beyond cost, DevTest Labs speeds up your development cycle by providing ready-to-use environments. You don’t have to wait for IT to provision resources, which means you can start coding and testing right away.
This service also helps you avoid common pitfalls like resource sprawl and budget overruns. With built-in policies and automation, you can keep everything under control while focusing on innovation. If you’re looking for a way to streamline your development process and save money, Azure DevTest Labs is worth exploring. It’s a hidden gem that can make your team more productive and efficient.
8. Azure Policy
Overview
Azure Policy is your go-to tool for maintaining governance and compliance in your cloud environment. It helps you define and enforce rules across your Azure resources, ensuring everything stays aligned with your organizational standards. Think of it as a watchdog that keeps your cloud setup in check without requiring constant manual intervention.
With Azure Policy, you can automate auditing, enforce compliance, and monitor resources effortlessly. Whether you're managing a small project or a sprawling enterprise setup, this service ensures your cloud environment remains secure and well-governed.
Key Features
Azure Policy comes packed with features that make governance a breeze:
Automated Auditing: It continuously audits your resources to ensure they comply with your policies.
Built-In Policies: Predefined policies align with regulatory standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Real-Time Monitoring: It tracks compliance in real time, giving you instant insights into your environment.
Policy Enforcement: Automatically applies rules to resources, ensuring they meet your organization's requirements.
Custom Policies: Create policies tailored to your specific needs, offering flexibility for unique scenarios.
💡 Tip: Use built-in policies to get started quickly, then customize them as your governance needs evolve.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Policy often flies under the radar, but it’s a game-changer for cloud governance. Many organizations struggle with compliance and security issues, often due to manual processes or lack of oversight. Azure Policy eliminates these challenges by automating policy enforcement and monitoring.
Let’s look at the numbers. Organizations using Azure Policy have seen a 75% reduction in compliance issues. This improvement directly impacts security, enabling faster incident response times.
Azure Policy also simplifies the complexity of adhering to regulatory standards. It comes with built-in policies that align with frameworks like GDPR and HIPAA. You don’t have to start from scratch or worry about missing critical requirements.
Imagine this: You’re managing hundreds of resources across multiple teams. Without a tool like Azure Policy, ensuring compliance would feel like herding cats. But with its automated auditing and enforcement, you can focus on innovation instead of micromanaging governance.
If you’re looking to tighten security, streamline compliance, and reduce manual effort, Azure Policy is a must-have. It’s not just a tool—it’s your cloud governance ally. Give it a try, and you’ll wonder how you managed without it.
9. Azure Form Recognizer
Overview
Azure Form Recognizer is a powerful AI-powered service that simplifies document processing. It extracts data from forms, invoices, receipts, and other documents with remarkable speed and accuracy. Whether you’re dealing with structured forms or unstructured documents, this tool can handle it all. It’s designed to save you time by automating tedious data entry tasks, allowing you to focus on more important work.
This service uses machine learning to analyze documents and extract key information like names, dates, and totals. You don’t need to train it extensively—it works out of the box for many common document types. For businesses that process large volumes of paperwork, Azure Form Recognizer can be a game-changer.
Key Features
Here’s what makes Azure Form Recognizer stand out:
Fast Processing: It can analyze documents and extract data in seconds, making it ideal for high-volume tasks.
Concurrent Requests: By default, it handles up to 15 requests per second. You can increase this limit by submitting a quota request through Azure Support.
Structured and Unstructured Data: It works with both structured forms like invoices and unstructured documents like handwritten notes.
Custom Models: Train custom models to handle unique document layouts specific to your business.
Seamless Integration: Easily integrate it with other Azure services or your existing workflows.
Automation: Automates repetitive tasks like data entry, reducing errors and saving time.
💡 Tip: Use Azure Form Recognizer to process invoices or receipts automatically. It’s a great way to streamline your accounting workflows.
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Form Recognizer often flies under the radar, but it’s a hidden gem for businesses looking to automate document processing. Many people still rely on manual data entry, which is slow and prone to errors. This service eliminates those inefficiencies by extracting data quickly and accurately.
Imagine processing hundreds of invoices in minutes instead of hours. Azure Form Recognizer can handle this with ease. Its ability to analyze both structured and unstructured documents makes it versatile. Whether you’re dealing with printed forms or handwritten notes, it gets the job done.
The speed is another standout feature. It processes documents in seconds and supports up to 15 concurrent requests per second. If you need more capacity, you can request a quota increase. This scalability ensures it can grow with your business needs.
By automating document processing, you can free up your team to focus on higher-value tasks. It’s not just about saving time—it’s about improving accuracy and efficiency. If you haven’t explored Azure Form Recognizer yet, now’s the time to see how it can transform your workflows.
10. Azure Front Door
Overview
Azure Front Door is a global load-balancing and content delivery network (CDN) service designed to optimize the performance and reliability of your applications. It ensures users experience fast and secure access to your content, no matter where they are. By intelligently routing traffic and caching content closer to users, Front Door reduces latency and improves responsiveness.
This service is perfect for businesses with a global audience. Whether you're running an e-commerce platform, a media streaming service, or a SaaS application, Azure Front Door helps you deliver content faster and more securely. It’s like having a virtual concierge that directs users to the best path for accessing your application.
Key Features
Azure Front Door comes packed with features that make it a standout choice for global content delivery:
Global Load Balancing: Distributes traffic across multiple regions to ensure high availability and reliability.
Anycast Protocol: Directs users to the nearest data center, reducing latency by up to 50%.
Caching and Compression: Stores content closer to users and compresses data to speed up delivery.
TLS Offloading: Handles encryption and decryption at the edge, freeing up your backend resources.
Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protects your applications from common threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
Custom Routing: Allows you to define routing rules based on URL paths, headers, or query strings.
💡 Tip: Use Azure Front Door’s caching feature to improve load times for static content like images and videos. Your users will thank you for the faster experience!
Why It Deserves More Attention
Azure Front Door often gets overlooked because many people assume traditional CDNs or load balancers are enough. But Front Door goes beyond basic functionality. It combines global load balancing, CDN capabilities, and security features into one powerful package.
Imagine you’re running a global e-commerce site. A customer in Tokyo clicks on your product page. Instead of routing their request halfway across the world to your server in New York, Front Door directs them to the nearest data center. This reduces latency and ensures the page loads quickly. The result? Happier customers and higher conversion rates.
Front Door’s anycast protocol is a game-changer. By directing users to the closest data center, it slashes latency by up to 50%. This makes it ideal for applications where speed is critical, like live streaming or online gaming.
Security is another reason to consider Front Door. Its built-in Web Application Firewall protects your applications from cyberattacks, giving you peace of mind. Plus, its TLS offloading feature ensures secure connections without overloading your backend servers.
If you’re looking to improve performance, enhance security, and deliver a better user experience, Azure Front Door is worth exploring. It’s not just a CDN—it’s a comprehensive solution for modern, global applications. Give it a try, and you’ll see the difference it makes.
Azure offers a treasure trove of tools, but some gems often go unnoticed. By diving into these 10 underrated azure services, you can unlock new opportunities to streamline your operations and boost productivity. Whether you're looking to enhance security, automate workflows, or improve performance, these services have something valuable to offer. Why not explore them and see how they can transform your cloud strategy? The possibilities are endless, and the rewards are worth it.
FAQ
What makes these Azure services underrated?
Many of these services solve niche problems or offer unique features that users often overlook. They’re not as widely discussed as popular Azure tools, but they can significantly enhance your cloud strategy when used effectively.
Can I use these services with other cloud providers?
Most Azure services integrate seamlessly with other platforms. For example, Azure Logic Apps can connect with third-party services like Salesforce or AWS. You don’t have to stick exclusively to Azure to benefit from these tools.
Are these services expensive?
Not at all! Many of these services operate on a pay-as-you-go model. For instance, Azure DevTest Labs offers discounted pricing for development workloads, helping you save money while testing and innovating.
Do I need coding skills to use these services?
Not always. Services like Azure Logic Apps and Azure Form Recognizer offer visual interfaces and pre-built templates. You can automate workflows or process documents without writing a single line of code.
How do I get started with these services?
Azure provides detailed documentation and tutorials for each service. Start small by exploring one service that fits your needs. Use free trials or sandbox environments to experiment without financial risk.
Are these services secure?
Absolutely. Azure prioritizes security across all its services. Tools like Azure Bastion and Azure Front Door include built-in features to protect your applications and data from threats.
Can these services scale with my business?
Yes! Azure services like Azure SignalR and Azure Container Instances automatically scale to meet demand. Whether your workload is small or massive, these tools adapt to your needs.
Which industries benefit most from these services?
These services cater to diverse industries. Retail, healthcare, finance, and logistics are just a few examples. For instance, Azure Cognitive Search enhances e-commerce platforms, while Azure Form Recognizer streamlines accounting workflows.