Azure Expands ARM VM Availability to 12 Regions

ARM-based cloud computing has gotten complicated with all the chip architectures, regional availability, and compatibility considerations flying around. As someone who’s helped organizations migrate to ARM instances for significant cost savings, I learned everything there is to know about when this makes sense. Today, I will share the Azure ARM expansion news and what it means for you.

Microsoft Azure introduced support for ARM-based virtual machines in additional regions this month, expanding options for cost-conscious cloud deployments. The Ampere Altra-based VMs, available as Dpsv5 and Epsv5 series, now run in 12 regions worldwide including Southeast Asia, Australia, and South America.

Performance Numbers

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Internal benchmarks show ARM VMs handling web workloads at 20% lower cost compared to equivalent x86 instances. Memory-intensive applications see similar savings. That’s what makes ARM worth considering for the right workloads.

Java and .NET applications run natively on the ARM architecture. Container workloads using multi-architecture images deploy without modification—this is often the easiest migration path.

Migration Considerations

Applications compiled for x86 require rebuilding for ARM. Python, Node.js, and interpreted languages generally work without changes. Check your dependencies though—native modules might need ARM versions.

Database workloads may need testing. MySQL and PostgreSQL support ARM, while some specialized database engines remain x86-only. Verify compatibility before committing to a migration.

Getting Started

ARM instances appear in the Azure Portal alongside standard VM options. Use the architecture filter to show ARM-compatible sizes.

Spot pricing applies to ARM instances, offering additional savings for interruptible workloads. Combine ARM with spot for maximum cost reduction on suitable applications.