Azure NetApp Files
Azure NetApp Files: A configurable Azure file service for enterprise workloads needing shared file access. Ranked #4 of 31 in Cloud File Storage Services by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Paid; best for azure enterprise file volumes.
At a glance
- Editor score9.1 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forAzure enterprise file volumes
- Free planNo
- Supported protocolsNFS, SMB, dual protocol, Object REST API
- Founded1975 · Redmond, Washington, United States
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports NFS, SMB, and dual-protocol file volumes
- Offers snapshots, cloning, backups, replication, and tiering
- Connects with Azure analytics, AI, Kubernetes, and VMware services
Where it doesn't
- Provisioned capacity and throughput require configuration planning
- The service has no free plan
- Elastic Storage is listed as a preview service
Our verdict on Azure NetApp Files
Azure NetApp Files is a managed cloud file storage service for Azure workloads that need shared, high-performance file access. It supports NFS, SMB, dual-protocol volumes, and an Object REST API, making it suitable for enterprise file shares, SAP, databases, high-performance computing, VMware, containers, analytics, and AI data pipelines. Capacity pools use a provisioned model, with configurable throughput and availability-zone volume placement.
The published plans are organized by service level. Standard Storage provides the Standard performance tier, while Premium Storage and Ultra Storage provide higher performance tiers. Flexible Storage separates capacity and throughput configuration, which suits workloads with different storage and performance requirements. Elastic Storage is a preview option with zone-redundant storage and cloud-native scalability. The service is paid, and the selected service level and storage configuration determine billing. There is no free plan, so buyers should map capacity, throughput, and workload requirements before selecting a tier.
Azure NetApp Files also includes point-in-time snapshots, snapshot-based volume cloning, managed backups with daily, weekly, and monthly retention, cross-region and cross-zone replication, and Cool access tiering. Its Azure ecosystem connections include Azure AI Search, Microsoft Foundry, Databricks, Microsoft OneLake, Azure Kubernetes Service, and Azure VMware Solution. These capabilities make it a strong fit for organizations standardizing shared file volumes around Azure services. It is less suited to teams seeking a free or broadly simple file-storage service, or to workloads that do not need provisioned performance tiers, protocol flexibility, or enterprise workload integrations.
Your product? Our editors can test Azure NetApp Files in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Azure NetApp Files pricing
All 5 Azure NetApp Files plans and prices →
Azure NetApp Files fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Supported protocols | NFS, SMB, dual protocol, Object REST API |
| Maximum capacity | Not verified |
| Availability zones | Not verified |
| Snapshots | Yes |
| Managed backups | Yes |
| Scaling model | Provisioned |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Azure AI Search, Microsoft Foundry, Databricks, Microsoft OneLake, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure VMware Solution |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | azure.microsoft.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Azure NetApp Files integrations
Azure NetApp Files lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Azure AI Search
- Microsoft Foundry
- Databricks
- Microsoft OneLake
- Azure Kubernetes Service
- Azure VMware Solution
Alternatives to Azure NetApp Files
- Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAPA broad AWS storage service for enterprise file and block workloads.9.4
- Alibaba Cloud File Storage NASFlexible NFS and SMB file storage for Alibaba Cloud workloads, with usage-based tiers.9.3
- NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAPA broad ONTAP storage appliance for enterprise workloads across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.9.2
See all Azure NetApp Files alternatives →
Azure NetApp Files vs the competition
- Azure NetApp Files vs Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP
- Azure NetApp Files vs Alibaba Cloud File Storage NAS
- Azure NetApp Files vs NetApp Cloud Volumes ONTAP
- Azure NetApp Files vs Google Cloud NetApp Volumes
- Azure NetApp Files vs Amazon Elastic File System (EFS)
- Azure NetApp Files vs Amazon FSx for Windows File Server
Compare Azure NetApp Files with any tool side by side →
Used Azure NetApp Files? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Azure NetApp Files for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Azure NetApp Files is listed in our Cloud File Storage Services directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/azure-netapp-files/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/azure-netapp-files.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update