Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL is a cloud database service with JSON documents, configurable consistency controls, transactions, horizontal scaling, and multi-region support. It also lists vector search. Documents can be up to 2.0 MB, and the query interface is CQL. The service is managed in the cloud and offers several ways to provision or consume capacity. Its Free tier is free and includes 1,000 RU/s and 25 GB of storage, with one free tier account per Azure subscription. A separate Azure Cosmos DB free tier is billed free each month for the life of one account per subscription, with the same throughput and storage allowances. Standard provisioned throughput is billed by the hour and is available for the NoSQL API. Autoscale provisioned throughput has a minimum of 400 RU/s or 10% of maximum. Serverless charges for request units used and consumed storage, with no minimum operations or capacity. A 30-day free trial is also listed, with renewals available. The named maker is Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States, and founded in 1975.
Who it is for
It suits teams building cloud applications that store JSON documents and need transactions, configurable consistency, horizontal scaling, or multi-region support. The range of free, provisioned, autoscale, serverless, and trial options gives teams different ways to consider capacity and usage.
What is good
- Free tier includes 1,000 RU/s and 25 GB of storage.
- Supports transactions and configurable consistency controls.
- Supports multi-region deployment and horizontal scaling.
- Lists vector search as a capability.
- Serverless has no minimum operations or capacity.
What to know first
- Free tier is limited to one account per Azure subscription.
- Free tier storage is limited to 25 GB.
- Maximum document size is 2.0 MB.
Verdict
Choose Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL if your application needs a managed cloud database with JSON documents, transactions, scaling, or multi-region support. Its free and usage-based options provide different capacity approaches, while the free tier has account and storage limits to consider.
Get started with Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
- Open the Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL website.
- Choose a free tier, a 30-day free trial, or a listed capacity model.
- For the free tier, use one account per Azure subscription.
- Select provisioned throughput, autoscale, or serverless based on the listed billing approach.
What the free plan stops at
The Free tier includes 1,000 RU/s, 25 GB of storage, and one account per Azure subscription. Autoscale has a minimum of 400 RU/s or 10% of maximum; the listed trial lasts 30 days, with renewals available.
Questions about Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Free tier is free and includes 1,000 RU/s and 25 GB of storage, limited to one account per Azure subscription.
What other plans are listed?
Options include standard provisioned throughput, autoscale provisioned throughput, serverless, and a 30-day free trial. Standard throughput is billed by the hour; serverless charges for request units used and consumed storage.
What document format and query interface does it use?
The listed document format is JSON, and the query interface is CQL.
Does it support transactions and vector search?
Yes. Transactions and vector search are listed capabilities.
Where can I access it?
The product website is https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/cosmos-db/.
Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL plans and pricing
All plansCompared on database software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Vector search
- Yes
