UpCloud vs Azure (AKS): Kubernetes Cost Comparison (2026)
UpCloud is 67% cheaper than Azure (AKS) for a 3-node Kubernetes cluster (€24 vs €72/mo)
At the cluster level, UpCloud runs 67% cheaper, roughly €48/mo less than its competitor. Storage IOPS differ by ~4×, with Azure (AKS) ahead — relevant if your workload relies on persistent volumes. Egress is cheaper with UpCloud: unlimited egress vs paid. Choose UpCloud for cost-efficient Kubernetes on a budget; choose Azure (AKS) for IOPS-intensive stateful applications.
Moving off Azure (AKS) could save ~€48/mo on a 3-node cluster.
Get matched with a vetted EU migration agency →
 UpCloud |  Azure (AKS) | |
|---|---|---|
| HQ / Country | Finland | United States |
| Managed Kubernetes | Yes | Yes |
| Control Plane Cost | Free | Free |
| Cheapest Node | €8.00/mo 2 vCPU, 2 GB RAM | €23.95/mo 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM |
| 3-Node Cluster* | ~€24.00/mo | ~€71.85/mo |
| 6-Node HA Cluster* | ~€48.00/mo | ~€143.70/mo |
| Egress | Unlimited | €0.080/GB |
| S3 Storage | €0.020/GB | €0.018/GB |
| Certifications | ISO27001 | ISO27001, SOC2, HIPAA, PCI-DSS |
| CLOUD Act Exposure | No | Yes (US-owned) |
* Estimated using cheapest available node. DIY providers include 3 additional control plane nodes. Use the calculator for exact pricing with your specs.
Data freshness: UpCloud as of Jun 2026, Azure (AKS) as of May 2026.
Calculate Your Exact Cost
Configure your exact cluster specs and see real-time pricing across 33+ European providers.
Open Calculator