I am being charged for a free Azure SQL Database which is free for 12 Months

Question

Hi,

I see that I am being charged for the use of MS SQL Server. I thought this service was free for 12 months. I believe I may have made a mistake while creating the database.

Could you please assist me in identifying the problem and guide me on how to use the free version as much as possible?.

Thank you,

Best regards

Accepted Answer

@alefleitas Thank you for reaching out.

It is possible that you have exceeded the free offer.

You won't be charged for the Azure SQL Database unless you exceed the free database amount and have selected to continue using for additional charges. To remain within the limit, use the Azure portal to track and monitor your free services usage.

On the database Overview tab, you see a Free monthly vCore amount entry:

Select the seconds remaining amount. The Metrics chart launches where you can look at Free amount remaining, or Free amount consumed metrics.

For the Behavior when free limit reached setting, you have two choices to determine what happens when the free monthly offer limits are exhausted. Screenshot from the Azure portal showing the free Azure SQL Database offer options.

If you choose Auto-pause the database until next month option, you'll not be charged for that month once the free limits are reached, however the database will become inaccessible for the remainder of the calendar month. Later, you can enable the Continue using database for additional charges setting in the Compute + Storage page of the SQL database.
To maintain access to the database when limits are reached, which results in charges for any amount above the free offer vCore and storage size limits, select the Continue using database for additional charges option. You only pay for any usage over the free offer limits.
You continue to get the free amount renewed at the beginning of each month.

Important

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

In addition to the above information. I would suggest checking this doc.

https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/free-offer?view=azuresql

https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/free-offer?view=azuresql#monthly-free-limits

Answer

Microsoft Azure offers a free tier for various services, including SQL Server, but there are specific configurations you must follow to ensure you are within the free usage limits. Here’s how you can identify the issue and switch to the free tier:

Step 1: Verify Your Current Subscription and Usage

Check Subscription: Ensure you are using the Azure Free Account, which provides certain free services for the first 12 months.
- Go to the Azure Portal.
- Navigate to Cost Management + Billing.
- Under Billing, check your subscription details.
Check Current Usage:
- Go to Cost Management + Billing in the Azure portal.
- Select Cost analysis to see your current spending and usage.

Step 2: Identify the SQL Server Service in Use

Navigate to SQL Databases:
- In the Azure portal, go to SQL databases.
- Select the database you are being charged for.
Review Pricing Tier:
- Click on Pricing tier under the Settings section.
- Check the current pricing tier and compare it to the free offerings.

Step 3: Switch to a Free Tier

The Azure Free Account offers a limited amount of free usage for Azure SQL Database. Specifically, you get 250 GB of SQL Database Standard S0 instance free for 12 months. Here’s how to switch:

Create a New SQL Database with Free Tier:
- Go to Create a resource in the Azure portal.
- Select SQL Database.
- Fill in the necessary details. When you get to the Compute + storage section, choose Basic tier or Standard S0 to stay within the free usage limits.
- Complete the setup and create the database.
Migrate Your Data:
- If you already have data in the existing database, you will need to migrate it to the new database.
- Use tools like Azure Data Migration Service or SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to export and import your data.

Step 4: Configure Cost Alerts

Set Up Budgets and Alerts:
- In Cost Management + Billing, go to Budgets.
- Create a new budget to monitor your spending.
- Set up alerts to notify you if you are nearing the free tier limits.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize Usage

Regular Monitoring:
- Regularly check your usage under Cost Management + Billing.
- Review the Usage + quotas section to ensure you stay within the free limits.
Optimize Database Usage:
- If your usage patterns exceed the free tier, consider optimizing your database usage by archiving old data, reducing query load, or using other cost-saving measures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing a Higher Pricing Tier: Ensure you select the Basic or Standard S0 tier when creating the database.
Exceeding Free Usage Limits: Monitor your usage to ensure you do not exceed the free tier limits.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify the problem and switch to using the free tier for SQL Server on Azure. If you continue to face issues, you may want to contact Azure Support for further assistance.

Accept Answer

I hope this is helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions.

** Please don't forget to close up the thread here by upvoting and accept it as an answer if it is helpful ** so that others in the community facing similar issues can easily find the solution.

Best Regards,

Ganeshkumar R

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