Windows Azure’s Pricing Model Discourages Small-Scale Apps (for now?)

The death of Silverlight Streaming (a free hosting service provided by Microsoft) made me finally think through the cost of hosting small apps and sites on Windows Azure.

Although Azure’s pricing model might make sense for Enterprise scenarios, the math doesn’t seem to add up for smaller-scale applications, or for developers who wish to evaluate the Azure platform.

Let’s work through the TCO of a simple site I considered moving to Windows Azure.