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OpenAI API Platform vs Azure AI Foundry

OpenAI API Platform: OpenAI's developer platform for building apps with GPT, image, audio and embedding models. Azure AI Foundry: Microsoft's platform for building AI apps and agents with a large catalogue of models. Here is how they compare on features, pricing, platforms, pros and cons.

Quick verdict

OpenAI API Platform

Best for: Developers building AI features into apps and services.

Stands out for: Broad range of capable models; Mature docs and SDKs.

Azure AI Foundry

Best for: Companies already on Azure building AI apps and agents.

Stands out for: Enterprise security; Many models in one place.

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of OpenAI API Platform, Azure AI Foundry
OpenAI API Platform
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Azure AI Foundry
Visit ai.azure.com (opens in a new tab)
What it isOpenAI's developer platform for building apps with GPT, image, audio and embedding models.Microsoft's platform for building AI apps and agents with a large catalogue of models.
Pricing
PaidPay per use
PaidPay per use through Azure
Free to useNoNo
CategoryAI Models & Developer APIsAI Models & Developer APIs
Editor rank#1 in category#11 in category
Made byOpenAIMicrosoft
Best forDevelopers building AI features into apps and services.Companies already on Azure building AI apps and agents.
Key features
  • Text, image, audio and embedding models
  • Playground for testing prompts
  • Agent and tool-calling features
  • Official SDKs and usage dashboards
  • Large model catalogue including OpenAI models
  • Agent service
  • Evaluation and safety tools
  • Azure security and compliance
Pros
  • Broad range of capable models
  • Mature docs and SDKs
  • Large developer community
  • Enterprise security
  • Many models in one place
  • Integrates with Azure services
Cons
  • Usage is billed, so costs need monitoring
  • Requires programming to use beyond the playground
  • Complex for small projects
  • Requires an Azure account
Use it to
  • Add a chat assistant to a website
  • Build an agent that calls your own tools
  • Turn speech into text in an app
  • Deploy a model inside your company cloud
  • Build and evaluate an internal agent
  • Compare models from different providers
Web app
API

OpenAI API Platform vs Azure AI Foundry: questions

Is OpenAI API Platform better than Azure AI Foundry?

Neither wins for everyone. Our editors rank OpenAI API Platform slightly higher overall in AI Models & Developer APIs, but Azure AI Foundry can be the better fit: Companies already on Azure building AI apps and agents.

Which is free, OpenAI API Platform or Azure AI Foundry?

Neither has an ongoing free plan: OpenAI API Platform is paid and Azure AI Foundry is paid.

Can I use OpenAI API Platform and Azure AI Foundry together?

Yes. Many people keep both and pick per task, for example add a chat assistant to a website with OpenAI API Platform, and deploy a model inside your company cloud with Azure AI Foundry.

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