Key points
- Azure Databricks is a first-party Microsoft service, offering deeper integration with tools like Power BI, Fabric, and Azure AI.
- It outperforms competitors, being up to 21.1% faster for single queries and saving 9+ minutes on concurrent tasks.
- Cross-cloud governance lets users manage AWS S3 data directly in Azure without migration, enhancing security and flexibility.
In a recent report, Azure Databricks stands out as the top choice for businesses using the Microsoft Cloud. Developed jointly by Microsoft and Databricks, it’s designed specifically for Azure, making it faster and easier to use with Microsoft products. This integration is a major advantage, as companies already working in the Azure ecosystem can streamline data and AI workflows, from analysis to machine learning.
Performance benchmarks from an independent firm, Principled Technologies, show Azure Databricks is significantly faster than its counterparts on other clouds. For single queries—like when a data analyst runs a report—it’s 21.1% quicker. When multiple users work at the same time, such as teams from sales and finance generating dashboards, it saves over 9 minutes per task compared to others. These improvements mean faster insights and better productivity for organizations relying on Azure.
Cost efficiency is another focus. Autoscaling allows Azure Databricks to adjust computing resources automatically, reducing expenses during low workloads. While this feature may slow performance slightly (compared to fixed resources), it’s ideal for companies prioritizing budget over speed. Microsoft recommends disabling autoscaling for tasks requiring consistent, top-tier performance.
Azure Databricks on the Microsoft Cloud offers unique benefits others can’t match. It uses Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS) as its core, which is more optimized than AWS S3 or Google Cloud’s storage. Management is simpler through the Azure portal, centralizing billing, user access controls via Entra ID, and support from Microsoft and Databricks. It also works natively with Microsoft tools like Power BI for real-time visualizations, Azure Machine Learning for deploying models, and Azure Key Vault to secure sensitive data.
A new feature, cross-cloud governance, lets users manage data across Azure and AWS in one place. Through Unity Catalog, they can directly access AWS S3 data without copying or moving it, ensuring unified policies and security. This is especially useful for companies using hybrid or multi-cloud setups, where data often lives in multiple environments.
Microsoft’s recent integrations, like the mirrored catalog in Fabric and connectors for Power Platform apps, make Azure Databricks even more powerful. These tools eliminate the need for complex configurations or duplicate data, enabling teams to build AI apps or reports faster. For example, Power BI now uses Direct Lake mode to pull insights from Azure Databricks without delays.
Businesses adopting Azure Databricks gain operational efficiency, security, and flexibility. Whether optimizing costs with autoscaling or leveraging its unmatched performance for AI/ML projects, it’s positioned as the best Databricks option on Azure. Microsoft continues to emphasize how its cloud ecosystem—Azure, Entra ID, Fabric, and AI Foundry—creates a cohesive environment for modern data workloads.
For companies moving to the cloud, choosing Azure Databricks means aligning with Microsoft’s trusted infrastructure. The service’s focus on seamless compatibility, advanced governance, and speed makes it a top pick for enterprises aiming to unlock value from data and AI without complexity.
Explore Azure Databricks here, performance reports, or learn why it thrives on Azure through Microsoft’s e-books and workshops.
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