Azure (AKS) vs Leafcloud: Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
Azure (AKS) is 59% cheaper than Leafcloud for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€72 vs €177/mo)
The 3-node cost gap is 59% (€105/mo) in Azure (AKS)'s favour. Control plane costs differ: Azure (AKS) includes it free; Leafcloud adds €84.5/mo. For regulated workloads, Leafcloud is EU-headquartered (not subject to the CLOUD Act as a US-owned entity); Azure (AKS) is US-owned and subject to US data access laws. Choose Azure (AKS) for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose Leafcloud for Leafcloud's specific capabilities.
 Azure (AKS) |  Leafcloud | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | United States | Netherlands |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | Yes |
| Control Plane Cost | Free | €84.5/mo |
| Cheapest Node | €23.95/mo 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM | €30.68/mo 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€71.85/mo | ~€176.54/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€143.70/mo | ~€268.58/mo |
| Egress | €0.080/GB | 0.1 TB free |
| S3 Storage | €0.018/GB | €0.024/GB |
| Certifications | ISO27001, SOC2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS | ISO27001, SOC2 |
| CLOUD Act Exposure | Yes (US-owned) | No |
* Estimated using cheapest available node. DIY providers include 3 additional control plane nodes. Use the calculator for exact pricing with your specs.
Data freshness: Azure (AKS) as of May 2026, Leafcloud as of May 2026.
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