Azure Hybrid Benefit Estimator

List your VMs by size. The calculator prices the Windows Server and SQL Server licence that Azure Hybrid Benefit removes, from Azure list prices, and counts the core licences with Software Assurance you need.

Live Licensing Estimator Azure Hybrid Benefit AHB Windows Server SQL Server Software Assurance

Your VMs

Windows VMs in Azure. Mark the ones that also run SQL Server.

VM sizeVMsSQL Server
SQL Server licence prices

Azure list price per vCPU a month: Standard $73.00, Enterprise $274. Override only if you have a different price.

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What AHB saves

Azure list prices in West Europe, USD, 2 Nov 2026. Licence cost only; compute is the same either way.

AHB saves $2,780 a month, $33,358 a year

Windows Server $1,612/month SQL Standard $1,168/month

Licences you need, with Software Assurance

48 Windows Server core licences= 3 × 16-core licences Worth it while SA costs less than $6,447 per 16 cores a year
16 SQL Server Standard core licences= 8 × 2-core packs Worth it while SA costs less than $1,752 per 2-core pack a year
VMs vCPU Windows licence SQL licence Core licences
Standard_D8s_v5 × 4 8 $1,075/mo – Win 32
Standard_E8s_v5 × 2 · SQL Standard 8 $537/mo $1,168/mo Win 16 · SQL 16

The Windows licence is the difference between the Windows and Linux pay-as-you-go price of each size, so it holds with reservations too: reservations cover compute only. Compare commitments in the reserved vs on-demand calculator.

How the licences are counted

Windows Server

  • At least 8 core licences per VM, then steps of 8: a 4- or 8-vCPU VM needs 8, a 12- or 16-vCPU VM 16, a 20-vCPU VM 24.
  • 16 core licences therefore cover two VMs of up to 8 vCPUs or one of up to 16.
  • Datacenter licences can run on-premises and in Azure at the same time. Standard licences are either on-premises or in Azure, apart from a 180-day migration overlap.

SQL Server on Azure VMs

  • One core licence per vCPU, at least 4 per VM. Licences come in 2-core packs.
  • Standard licences cover SQL Server Standard VMs, Enterprise licences SQL Server Enterprise VMs.
  • Active Software Assurance (or subscription licences) is required for AHB, for Windows Server and SQL Server alike.

This is an estimate from public list prices, not licensing advice. Check your agreement with your Microsoft licensing partner.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Azure Hybrid Benefit save on a Windows VM?

The Windows licence part of the price: the Windows pay-as-you-go rate minus the Linux rate for the same size. On current-generation general purpose sizes that is roughly 35 to 50% of the Windows price. The calculator takes the exact difference for each size and region.

How many Windows Server licences do I need for Azure Hybrid Benefit?

At least 8 core licences per VM, then steps of 8. So 16 core licences cover two VMs of up to 8 vCPUs or one VM of up to 16 vCPUs, and a 32-vCPU VM needs 32. The licences need active Software Assurance or must be subscription licences.

Can I use the same licence on-premises and in Azure?

With Datacenter licences, yes: they can run on-premises and in Azure at the same time. Standard licences are used either on-premises or in Azure, with a 180-day overlap allowed while you migrate.

How does SQL Server Azure Hybrid Benefit work on VMs?

Each vCPU needs one SQL Server core licence with Software Assurance, with a minimum of 4 per VM. AHB then removes the SQL Server licence charge from the VM, which Azure bills per vCPU with the same 4-vCPU minimum.

Does Azure Hybrid Benefit work with reservations?

Yes, and the two add up. Reservations and savings plans discount compute only, so the Windows and SQL Server licence stays at pay-as-you-go rates unless you apply Azure Hybrid Benefit.