A Deep Dive into AWS, Azure & Third-Party Tools for Cloud FinOps

With the rise of cloud computing, cloud billing and FinOps tools have proliferated to help manage cloud costs. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast the billing and FinOps tools offered by two of the biggest cloud providers, AWS and Microsoft Azure, as well as some popular third-party FinOps tools such as CloudCheckr and CloudHealth by VMware. We will weigh the pros and cons of each tool and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision 

AWS Cloud Billing and FinOps Tools

AWS offers several cloud billing and FinOps tools to help you manage your cloud costs. Some of the popular tools are: 

AWS Cost Explorer: AWS Cost Explorer is a lightweight and simple-to-set-up solution that provides a simple way to analyze your costs in AWS. It allows you to view your account’s overall cost and usage data, and any linked accounts under your management account if in an AWS Organization. It also provides quick and easy access to pre-made forecasts. Forecasts are created automatically when selecting date ranges in the future, with a prediction interval of 80%. It is available in management account or linked account level, and has built-in filters based on service, usage type, and time to form forecasts for individual services, accounts, tags, and more. 

Amazon QuickSight: This is a cloud-native, serverless, business intelligence service that can help you create forecasts and visuals for any time series metrics without any ML experience required. It uses machine learning (ML) to create a forecast. It is ideal for those who want ML to create a forecast. 

Amazon Forecast: This fully managed machine learning service makes it easy to train a predictor and create a forecast using dozens of built-in algorithm types. It is the most customizable of the three options. It is ideal for those who want to customize their forecasting models. 

AWS Cost and Usage Report: This report provides a detailed breakdown of your AWS usage and associated costs. It is ideal for those who want to analyze their usage and costs in detail. However, it does not provide real-time data and requires manual setup. 

Each tool has its advantages and disadvantages. AWS Cost Explorer is the lightest-weight solution for visualizing and forecasting your cost and usage. Amazon QuickSight is a simple way to use machine learning (ML) to create a forecast. Amazon Forecast is the most customizable of the three. AWS Cost and Usage Report provides a detailed breakdown of your AWS usage and associated costs.  

Microsoft Azure Cloud Billing and FinOps Tools 

Microsoft Azure provides several cloud billing and FinOps tools to help you manage your cloud costs. Some of the popular tools are: 

Azure Cost Management: This is a set of tools and services provided by Microsoft that enables organizations to monitor, manage, and optimize their spending on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. It provides visibility and control over Azure costs and lets you track and analyze your usage and costs in detail. It also provides recommendations for cost optimization. Azure Cost Management provides a comprehensive set of tools and services to monitor, manage, and optimize your spending on the Microsoft Azure cloud platform. 

Azure Advisor: This service is available from the account dashboard in the Azure Portal. It provides personalized recommendations to help you optimize your Azure resources for high availability, security, performance, and cost. Azure Advisor provides personalized recommendations to help you optimize your Azure resources. 

Azure Pricing Calculator: This forecasting tool is one of the utilities available in the Azure Cost Management and Billing service. It helps subscribers assess subscriptions before signing up and during usage. Azure Pricing Calculator is a valuable forecasting tool to assess subscriptions before signing up and during usage. 

Third-Party FinOps Tool – CloudCheckr 

CloudCheckr is a cloud management tool that provides a comprehensive view of your cloud environment and helps optimize your cloud costs. It offers cost control, security, granular reporting, and multi-cloud integration features.  

Pros of CloudCheckr as a FinOps Tool 

Cost Optimization: CloudCheckr helps optimize cloud costs by providing insights into cost allocation, budgeting, and forecasting, enabling businesses to make informed decisions to reduce expenses. 

Security and Compliance: The tool offers automated security checks, granular reporting, and comprehensive visibility into security issues and vulnerabilities, crucial for maintaining a secure and compliant cloud environment. 

User-Friendly Interface: CloudCheckr is praised for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for users, even those unfamiliar with cloud environments, to navigate and utilize its features. 

Cons of CloudCheckr as a FinOps Tool 

Complexity of Features: Some users have noted that while the tool is easy to use, it may have a wide range of features that can be complex to leverage fully, requiring time and expertise to explore all capabilities. 

Cost: The cost of the tool may be a consideration for some organizations, and they need to weigh the benefits against the investment required. 

Integration: Depending on the organization's specific needs and existing infrastructure, integrating CloudCheckr with their systems and processes may require additional effort and resources. 

Third-Party FinOps Tool - CloudHealth by VMware 

CloudHealth by VMware offers a unified view of the cloud environment, cost optimization, and security features. However, users should consider factors such as complexity, cost, and the availability of advanced features when evaluating its suitability for their organization. 

Pros of CloudHealth by VMware 

Unified View: CloudHealth provides a unified view of an organization's cloud environment, allowing for centralized management and optimization of cloud costs across multiple cloud providers. 

Cost Optimization: The platform offers capabilities for cost optimization, including visibility into cloud spend, resource utilization, and the ability to identify cost-saving opportunities. 

Security and Governance:  CloudHealth includes features for security and governance, such as automated security checks and compliance monitoring, helping organizations maintain a secure and compliant cloud environment. 

Granular Visibility: The tool provides granular visibility and detailed reporting, allowing organizations to analyze and manage various aspects of their cloud functions. 

Cons of CloudHealth by VMware 

Complexity: Some users have noted that CloudHealth can be complex and may require extensive training to fully understand and utilize its features, particularly for creating custom reports and queries. 

Cost: The platform's cost may be a consideration for some organizations, and they need to evaluate the investment against the potential benefits and cost savings. 

Lack of Advanced Features: While CloudHealth provides a comprehensive set of tools, some users have mentioned a lack of deep Kubernetes support and advanced automated cloud cost savings features compared to other platforms. 

In the ever-expanding cloud landscape, mastering your expenses is paramount. We hope this comparison of AWS, Azure, and third-party tools equips you with the knowledge to chart a course to optimal cloud cost management. 

Ready to start your Cloud FinOps journey? Embark on your journey to cloud financial excellence with confidence. For personalized guidance tailored to your organization's needs, reach out to our seasoned Cloud FinOps specialists today. Let's navigate the complexities together and unlock the full potential of your cloud transformation.   

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