Azure SQL billing when using the free-tier

Question

Hi there, I've been charged when using the Azure SQL single database through the free-tier. I selected, from the ground the free-tier application blade

Can you please review this out of the blue costs? I don't understand them from my side.

appreciated a lot!

Subscription Id: 533a263f-d0d3-4daa-a2b6-58bf477a5d14

Offer: PAYG

OfferId: MS-AZR-0003P

Answer 1

Hi @Enric,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Platform! Thank you for asking your question here.

I apologize, that you have been charged for using Azure SQL single database even though you selected the free-tier application blade.

The free SQL Database offer is designed for new Azure customers looking to get started with Azure SQL Database, and existing customers that might need a development database for a proof of concept. This offer is available for one database per Azure subscription.

The monthly free limits include 100,000 vCore seconds of serverless database compute and a maximum size of 32 GB of data.

You have two options you can set in the Behavior when free limit reached setting:

1. Once the monthly limits on vCore activity or storage are met, the database can be auto-paused until the beginning of the next calendar month.This is the Auto-pause the database until next month option.
2. Keep the database online, with vCore usage and storage amount over the free limits charged to your subscription's billing method, at the standard General Purpose tier serverless rates.This is the Continue using database for additional charges option.

Regardless, the free amount renews at the start of the next calendar month.

Note: Once you have chosen Continue using database for additional charges, it's not possible to go back to the free amount with auto-pause.

The free-tier application blade in Azure is designed to provide a free tier for certain Azure services, including Azure SQL single database. However, there are some limitations and restrictions on the usage of the free tier, and it is possible that you may have exceeded these limits and incurred charges.

Offer limitations:

Compared to a normal General Purpose database, this free offer has the following limitations.

• When the Auto-pause the database until next month option is enabled:
• Maximum of 4 vCores and the maximum database size of 32 GB.
• Long-term backup retention isn't available, and point-in-time restore (PITR) retention is limited to seven days.
  • Backup storage is local redundant storage only.
  • Backup storage is free.
  • When the Continue using database for additional charges option is enabled:
    • Backup storage up to 32 GB is free.
      • You can't revert to the Auto-pause the database until next month option.
      • The ability to restore or convert an existing database to the free offer database, or data sync with other databases, isn't available.
      • Elastic Jobs and DNS Alias aren't available for this free offer.
      • The free offer Azure SQL Database can't be a part of an elastic pool or failover group.
      • Currently, you can only use the Azure portal to create the free offer database.
      • Currently, the Microsoft Azure for Students Starter offer is incompatible with this Azure SQL Database free offer. Instead, consider the Azure for College Students offer or the Azure Free offer. If desired, the Continue using database for additional charges option can deduct from the starting credits.
• For more information, review the Azure SQL Database free offer FAQ.

Please click on this link for more information about billing. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/view-all-accounts

The billing portal provides detailed information about your Azure usage and charges, including the services you have used, the amount of usage, and the associated costs.

Please refer to the below mentioned links for more information:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/free-offer?view=azuresql

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/single-database-scale?view=azuresql&tabs=azure-portal

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-gb/azure/azure-sql/database/serverless-tier-overview?view=azuresql&tabs=general-purpose

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/pricing/details/azure-sql-database/single/

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/manage/view-all-accounts

I hope, This response will address your query and helped you to overcome on your challenges.

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