What is the Cost of NVIDIA H100-Based Instances on Azure?

In the rapidly advancing world of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC), the NVIDIA H100 GPU has become a crucial accelerator for enterprises pushing the boundaries of computational performance. As of February 2025, leading cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure have rolled out H100-powered instances, allowing organizations to take advantage of top-tier AI and compute capabilities without investing in costly on-premise hardware.

For businesses evaluating cloud-based AI infrastructure, understanding azure nd h100 v5 pricing per hour is essential. Azure’s ND H100 v5 virtual machines provide access to the H100 GPUs in flexible, scalable cloud environments, making them ideal for training large-scale language models, deep learning workloads, scientific simulations, and enterprise-level HPC applications.

This guide breaks down the cost models, available configurations, and key factors influencing the total cost of running NVIDIA H100 instances on Azure helping teams make informed decisions and optimize cloud spend efficiently.

Azure ND H100 v5 Pricing Per Hour

The Azure ND-H100 v5 series is powered by NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, designed for advanced AI training, deep learning, and HPC workloads. These instances deliver extreme performance for enterprises building LLMs, generative AI applications, and scientific simulations.

Current Estimated Pricing

◾ Standard_ND96isr_H100_v5

        ◾  Configuration: 8× NVIDIA H100 GPUs, 96 vCPUs, 1900+ GiB RAM

        ◾  Approx. cost: ~$98 per hour on-demand

Note: Actual pricing varies by region, currency, and contract type (on-demand, reserved, or spot).

Azure's NVIDIA H100-Based Instances

Microsoft Azure offers the ND H100 v5 series virtual machines (VMs), specifically engineered for intensive deep learning training and large-scale AI workloads. These VMs are equipped with NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, delivering unparalleled performance for complex computations.

Instance Specifications

ND96isr H100 v5:

vCPUs: 96

Memory: 1,900 GiB​

GPUs: 8 NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs

Interconnect Bandwidth: 3.2 Tbps per VM​

InfiniBand Connection: Each GPU is provided with a dedicated 400 Gb/s NVIDIA Quantum-2 CX7 InfiniBand connection.

Pricing Details

As of February 2025, the pricing for the ND96isr H100 v5 instance is as follows:​

On-Demand Pricing: Approximately $98.32 per hour.​

Spot Pricing: Around $88.49 per hour. 

It's important to note that prices can vary based on the region and specific configurations. Additionally, Azure offers savings plans and reserved instances that can provide cost reductions for long-term commitments.

Comparing with Other Cloud Providers

While Azure provides robust solutions with its ND H100 v5 series, other cloud providers also offer NVIDIA H100 GPU instances. For instance, Cyfuture Cloud has integrated NVIDIA H100 GPUs into their infrastructure, aiming to deliver high-performance computing solutions. Specific pricing details for Cyfuture Cloud's H100 instances are not publicly disclosed, but the platform emphasizes cost-effectiveness and flexible pricing models. ​

When evaluating cloud providers, it's essential to consider factors such as regional availability, support services, and additional features that align with your organization's needs.​

Factors Influencing Costs

Several elements can impact the overall cost of deploying NVIDIA H100-based instances on Azure:

Instance Configuration: The combination of vCPUs, memory, and storage alongside the GPU affects the pricing.

Usage Duration: Long-term commitments or reserved instances often come with discounted rates compared to on-demand pricing.​

Region: Data center locations can influence costs due to varying operational expenses and demand.​

Additional Services: Services such as data storage, networking, and support can add to the total expenditure.​

Conclusion

Deploying NVIDIA H100-based instances on Azure offers organizations a powerful platform for AI and HPC workloads. With the ND H100 v5 series, Azure provides scalable solutions to meet diverse computational needs. While on-demand pricing offers flexibility, exploring options like spot instances, reserved instances, or alternative providers such as Cyfuture Cloud can lead to cost savings. By carefully assessing your project's requirements and considering various pricing models, you can optimize both performance and budget.