OpenStack
OpenStack pools compute, storage, and networking for VMs, bare metal, and containers and runs at very large scale under the OpenInfra Foundation, but it is complex to operate.
Alternatives / Microsoft Azure
2 open-source alternatives
2 Best Open Source Microsoft Azure Alternatives in 2026
Looking for an open source Microsoft Azure alternative? We compared 2 open source private cloud platforms by license and operations. OpenStack and Cozystack replace infrastructure like compute and storage, not Google's managed data and AI services.
Written by Maxime DERAME
Last updated:
Best Microsoft Azure alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | Best for | License |
|---|---|---|
| OpenStack | Mature private cloud at scale | Apache-2.0 |
| Cozystack | Cloud on bare-metal Kubernetes | Apache-2.0 |
How we chose these Microsoft Azure alternatives
We looked for open-source platforms that run compute, storage, and networking on your hardware. We verified each project's license, recent activity, stars, and deployment model in its repository. See our methodology for the full criteria.
Cozystack
Cozystack builds a cloud on Kubernetes with a REST API for clusters, databases, VMs, and load balancers, and is installed by PXE or ISO.
Important: scope
Neither replaces Azure's managed data, AI, identity, or Microsoft 365 integration.
License details
OpenStack and Cozystack are Apache-2.0.
Maintenance status
Both had commits within days of this update.
Why look for a Microsoft Azure alternative?
Azure is a proprietary public cloud billed by usage and tightly integrated with Microsoft's identity and enterprise products. Running your own cloud gives sovereignty and predictable hardware costs, but you operate the stack and give up managed services.
openstack.org
OpenStack is an Apache-2.0 platform that pools compute, storage, and networking for virtual machines, bare metal, and containers, managed through APIs or a dashboard. It runs at large scale and is backed by the OpenInfra Foundation, but it is complex to deploy and operate.
6.1K1.6KApache-2.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source; commercial distributions exist.
- Proven at very large scale
- Broad service catalog
- Strong foundation and community
- Complex to deploy and run
- Different APIs from AWS
cozystack.io
Cozystack is an Apache-2.0 platform built on Kubernetes that turns bare-metal servers into a cloud with a REST API for Kubernetes clusters, databases, virtual machines, and load balancers. It installs by PXE or ISO and includes built-in monitoring.
2.4K215Apache-2.0Self-hosted
Pricing: Free and open source.
- API-first on Kubernetes
- Managed databases and VMs
- Built-in monitoring
- Requires Kubernetes knowledge
- Much smaller than AWS's service catalog
Compare Microsoft Azure alternatives
| Alternative | Type | License | Self-hosted | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenStack | Private cloud | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Large organizations |
| Cozystack | Private cloud | Apache-2.0 | Yes | Kubernetes teams |
Which one should you choose?
Want a proven private cloud
OpenStack covers VMs, bare metal, and containers.
Already run Kubernetes
Cozystack offers a Kubernetes-based cloud API.