Azure NetApp Files vs Microsoft Azure File Storage comparison

NetApp and Microsoft are both solutions in the Public Cloud Storage Services category. NetApp is ranked #11 with an average rating of 7.2, while Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.5. NetApp holds a 6.3% mindshare in PCSS, compared to Microsoft’s 8.6% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of NetApp users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 98% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

Azure NetApp Files

Read 17 Azure NetApp Files reviews

2,313 Views
1,411 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Microsoft Azure File Storage

Read 53 Microsoft Azure File Storage reviews

5,002 Views
1,851 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

Azure NetApp Files

Microsoft Azure File Storage

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 25, 2026

Azure NetApp Files and Microsoft Azure File Storage compete in the cloud storage category. Azure NetApp Files seems to have the upper hand due to its rapid data replication and strong integration features, which are highly valued by data-sensitive industries.

Features: Azure NetApp Files provides rapid data replication, strong data protection with SnapMirror and SnapLock, and seamless integration into existing Azure ecosystems. It offers ease of provisioning, elasticity, and high performance suited for demanding environments. Microsoft Azure File Storage is easy to use, integrates well with Azure's suite, and provides reliable synchronization and encryption capabilities. It benefits organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem with compatibility and ease of access.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Azure File Storage could enhance pricing transparency, improve integration with legacy systems, and simplify Active Directory configurations. Security concerns remain, indicating a need for more robust permission management tools. Azure NetApp Files could benefit from improved deployment simplicity and expanded regional availability, catering to environments needing cross-region deployments and disaster recovery options.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Azure File Storage and Azure NetApp Files support public and hybrid cloud models effectively. Microsoft Azure File Storage offers a strong support network, especially for premium customers, though response times vary. Azure NetApp Files shares similar support metrics, with premium customers experiencing faster service. Enhancing response times and support processes could boost user satisfaction.

Pricing and ROI: Azure NetApp Files is priced as a premium offering, reflecting its comprehensive features, though it is considered expensive by many. It's valued as a high-return investment. Microsoft Azure File Storage offers flexible pay-as-you-go options, valued for integration benefits within the Microsoft ecosystem. Pricing transparency remains an issue. Although both solutions are seen as worthwhile investments, Azure NetApp Files requires careful consideration of budget against its robust feature set to maximize ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure NetApp Files vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Azure NetApp Files vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage

December 2025

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Helped 881,082 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

7.4

Azure NetApp Files boosts performance, eases deployment, reduces downtime, and optimizes costs, despite higher initial expenses than on-premises.

Sentiment score

4.0

Mixed experiences with Microsoft Azure File Storage highlight ROI benefits, integration ease, but variable efficacy for medium businesses.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

7.4

Azure NetApp Files receives mixed feedback on support, praised for integration and ease, but some users seek more specialized assistance.

Sentiment score

6.3

Azure File Storage support varies by contract, location, and status; premium users enjoy faster response than standard users.

They have top-notch people.

AjayKumar13

Cloud/Data/Database Manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

I would rate the tech support and vendor support for Microsoft Azure File Storage nine or ten out of ten.

Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

The perspective documentation is good.

Srinivas Mutyala

Database Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Microsoft technical support is very prompt.

Arijit Chatterjee

Senior System Administrator at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.6

Azure NetApp Files is scalable, flexible, and cost-effective for large setups, but pricing concerns exist for smaller setups.

Sentiment score

6.6

Microsoft Azure File Storage is highly scalable, easily integrates, adapts to needs, and receives strong user ratings.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

We successfully handled a huge transaction during an iPhone launch without any issues.

Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.4

Azure NetApp Files is rated highly for stability due to its reliability and consistency under increased workloads and migrations.

Sentiment score

6.4

Microsoft Azure File Storage is reliable with high ratings, minor issues, and requires good internet for optimal performance.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

There are a few technical issues that need to be fixed within the Azure ecosystem.

Mohammad-Huda

Data & Analytics Practitioner (BI Dw, Big Data) at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

I rate the stability of Microsoft Azure File Storage as a seven out of ten.

Srinivas Mutyala

Database Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

We sometimes encounter glitches with bigger files, but everything else works as expected.

PrashanthR

Lead Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Room For Improvement

Azure NetApp Files needs improved features, cost efficiency, easier deployment, regional integration, and strengthened security to meet user demands.

Microsoft Azure File Storage needs better cost clarity, technical support, usability, security, performance, and diagnostics to enhance user experience.

I would like for them to have more compression so that it can avoid using more storage.

AjayKumar13

Cloud/Data/Database Manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

There is a limitation on the storage capacity, like four terabytes.

Srinivas Mutyala

Database Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

The information is not readily available on the internet, so we have to double-check and understand everything.

Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Some chunking logics need to be better to address issues with processing bigger files.

PrashanthR

Lead Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Setup Cost

Azure NetApp Files pricing is premium yet justified by features like management, scalability, and flexible licensing options.

Microsoft Azure File Storage pricing is usage-based, often higher than competitors, with savings via long-term contracts and reservations.

It is expensive, especially with NetApp Ultra Storage.

AjayKumar13

Cloud/Data/Database Manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

I would rate it three or three and a half out of ten on the pricing scale.

PrashanthR

Lead Software Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

I would rate the pricing of Microsoft Azure File Storage seven or eight, where one is high and ten is low.

Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

The pricing for Microsoft Azure File Storage is five out of ten, not so expensive and not so low.

Srinivas Mutyala

Database Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Valuable Features

Azure NetApp Files enhances performance, scalability, and management with integrated features for backup, recovery, and seamless Azure integration.

Microsoft Azure File Storage excels in flexibility, integration, security, and cost-effectiveness, meeting diverse organizational file storage needs.

The most valuable feature is that the sixty-terabyte database snapshot can be done in less than two to three minutes.

AjayKumar13

Cloud/Data/Database Manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Azure NetApp Files report

It is satisfying our requirements with encryption and security features in place.

reviewer1707861

Senior Data Production Engineer at a wellness & fitness company with 5,001-10,000 employees

Existing tools might not integrate well, which might cause challenges if we go for another vendor.

Mohammad-Huda

Data & Analytics Practitioner (BI Dw, Big Data) at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

We recently handled a huge transaction during an iPhone launch without any problems.

Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Microsoft Azure File Storage report

Categories and Ranking

Azure NetApp Files

Ranking in Public Cloud Storage Services

11th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Cloud Migration (7th), Cloud Storage (12th)

Microsoft Azure File Storage

Ranking in Public Cloud Storage Services

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Public Cloud Storage Services category, the mindshare of Azure NetApp Files is 6.3%, down from 7.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Azure File Storage is 8.6%, down from 12.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Public Cloud Storage Services Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Azure File Storage	8.6%
Azure NetApp Files	6.3%
Other	85.1%

Public Cloud Storage Services

Featured Reviews

AjayKumar13

Cloud/Data/Database Manager at a government with 10,001+ employees

Fast, reliable, and helps meet our SLAs

The most valuable feature is that the sixty-terabyte database snapshot can be done in less than two to three minutes. It is faster. It is quicker. It is reliable. You don't need to take the snapshot. Snapshots are compressed. It doesn't take storage from the back end. It takes three minutes to do sixty terabytes of the database. You don't have to go to the tape and store it outside, which takes hours and hours. It also uses a lot less of the storage. It's very easy to restore or copy the snapshots to other locations for disaster recovery. There are a lot of benefits. In terms of the snapshot's rapid restore capability, we were testing the load of performance testing, and we needed to rebuild the DR site. If I need to rebuild the DR for a standby database, it takes sixty terabytes to copy onto the another site, which will take at least a day. Now, the snapshot is easy. We just copy the snapshots, and then we do the cross-region application. The snapshots came along with that, and that's where we were able to build the DR site within a few hours rather than days. All together, instead of a four-day process, instead of a day.

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Karthik-A

Senior Manager at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Has simplified customer data management and improved file transfer workflows

We are using AWS as well, and the main difference is that Microsoft Azure File Storage is more user-friendly for configuration-related and admin-related activities. We do not have to perform many complex activities, making it simpler compared to AWS. Security-wise, there are some concerns because it is in the cloud. The customers need to double-check, and they are not giving complete approval when it comes to security. I would rate Microsoft Azure File Storage's security compliance features seven or eight out of ten. It is secure, but since it is in the cloud, we have to convince customers when providing solutions. Many questions were raised while providing the architecture and solution for this file transfer management system. We convinced them because we have the feature and showed a demo, but it is still a prototype. We have to get approval before starting the work. The data redundancy options in Microsoft Azure File Storage are good. I am facing some challenges in convincing customers, and additional information would be helpful to address these challenges. Microsoft Azure File Storage saves time compared to AWS. We tried the prototype in AWS as well, but Azure is easier. Regarding cost, it is slightly less compared to AWS. The functionality of Microsoft Azure File Storage does not pose any issues, though basic users find it complex and require training. Regarding stability, I would rate Microsoft Azure File Storage 8.5 to 9. Scalability in Microsoft Azure File Storage is impressive. We recently handled a huge transaction during an iPhone launch without any problems.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	13

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	18
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	25

Questions from the Community

How does Azure NetApp Files compare to NetApp ONTAP?

Azure NetApp Files is a Microsoft Azure file storage service built on NetApp technology. The platform combines the file capabilities of Azure and NetApp to move critical file-based applications to ...

See all answers

What do you like most about Azure NetApp Files?

The availability is good, meaning downtime or network issues rarely occur. The system also offers flexibility, allowing for increases in data volume, IOPS, and other capabilities without requiring ...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure NetApp Files?

It is expensive, especially with NetApp Ultra Storage.

See all answers

Which file storage system is better - Amazon EFS (elastic file storage) or Azure File Storage?

Amazon EFS is easy to set up: you can use the AWS management console, API, or command-line. Amazon EFS can grow to petabytes and deliver consistent low latencies and high levels of throughput. This...

See all answers

What do you like most about Microsoft Azure File Storage?

The product is a reliable cloud solution.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Azure File Storage?

The cost of Microsoft Azure File Storage depends on the storage account, whether it is premium or standard; there is a cost difference, with the cost being higher for premium and lower for standard...

See all answers

Comparisons

NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP vs Azure NetApp Files

Compared 19% of the time

Amazon FSx vs Azure NetApp Files

Compared 8% of the time

Amazon S3 vs Azure NetApp Files

Compared 7% of the time

Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) vs Azure NetApp Files

Compared 7% of the time

Nasuni vs Azure NetApp Files

Compared 6% of the time

More Azure NetApp Files Competitors

Amazon EFS (Elastic File System) vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 79% of the time

Wasabi vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 4% of the time

Amazon S3 Glacier vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 3% of the time

Amazon S3 vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 3% of the time

Oracle Cloud Software Appliance vs Microsoft Azure File Storage

Compared 2% of the time

More Microsoft Azure File Storage Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Azure NetApp Files

January 2026

Download Azure NetApp Files product report

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure File Storage

January 2026

Download Microsoft Azure File Storage product report

Also Known As

NetApp ANF, ANF

MS Azure File Storage

Overview

Azure NetApp Files offers flexibility, speed, and tight Active Directory integration, making it versatile. Its scalability, rapid response time, and replication capabilities like SnapMirror enhance its value, along with SEC compliance through SnapLock and efficient database management.

Azure NetApp Files is a robust service for unstructured data storage within Microsoft Azure and on-premises environments. It supports NFS and CIFS protocol testing, SQL backups, SAP virtualization, Azure Virtual Desktop, and event collection. This service facilitates seamless provisioning, non-disruptive resizing, and fast snapshots for disaster recovery. Known for high availability and cost-effective throughput, its ease of use and security make it preferred by users. Issues with high pricing and support highlight areas for enhancement, alongside desires for expanded regional availability, better security, and integration with diverse solutions.

What are the key features of Azure NetApp Files?

Flexibility: Supports diverse applications with robust Active Directory integration.
Scalability: Easily adjusts to increased performance demands.
Fast Snapshotting: Enhances disaster recovery capabilities.
SnapMirror: Provides effective replication features.
SnapLock: Ensures SEC compliance.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

High Availability: Delivers reliable performance.
Cost-effective Throughput: Balances performance with expenditure.
Ease of Use: Simplifies data management tasks.
Non-disruptive Resizing: Facilitates seamless storage adjustments.
Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive data effectively.

In educational contexts, Azure NetApp Files shines by offering seamless data handling and high IOPS performance, supporting high-demand environments like research facilities. For enterprises, it aids legacy system migrations and optimizes virtual environments while enhancing data protection and file share performance.

NetApp

Fully managed file shares that use the standard SMB 3.0 protocol

Key scenarios:

Share data across on-premises and cloud servers
Migrate file share-based applications to the cloud with no code changes
Integrate modern applications with File storage
Simplify hosting for high availability workload data

Microsoft

Sample Customers

SAP, Restaurant Magic

Talon, Camden

Buyer's Guide

Azure NetApp Files vs. Microsoft Azure File Storage

December 2025

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