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Azure Lab Services is retiring. CloudLabs is the Microsoft-recommended alternative – Move your labs

Azure Lab Services Alternative

Migrate from Azure Lab Services
to CloudLabs VM Labs

Azure Lab Services retires on June 28, 2027. Move to the Microsoft-recommended alternative that preserves your existing workflows while adding greater flexibility, cost control, and enhanced learner experiences.

Compare CloudLabs VM Labs

Why Organizations Are Migrating from Azure Lab Services to CloudLabs VM Labs

As Azure Lab Services retires on June 28, 2027, organizations are looking for a scalable, future-ready alternative that preserves their existing workflows while providing greater flexibility, cost control, and enhanced learner experiences.

CloudLabs VM Labs is a Microsoft-recommended Azure Lab Services alternative that helps organizations continue delivering the lab experiences they rely on today while building the next generation of hands-on learning environments.

CloudLabs VM Labs delivers all the capabilities organizations relied on in Azure Lab Services, and more, including browser-based access, multi-VM environments, advanced scheduling, instructor monitoring, detailed reporting, and built-in cost optimization controls.

CloudLabs redefining success

Trusted by organizations worldwide

0+

Years of industry expertise

0M+

Labs provisioned worldwide

100K

Participants upskilled

0K+

Events supported

CloudLabs VM Labs vs Azure Lab Services

Why Choose CloudLabs VM Labs Over Azure Lab Services?

A feature-by-feature look at how CloudLabs VM Labs carries forward, and extends, everything Azure Lab Services customers rely on.

CloudLabs VM Labs
Azure Lab Services
Image Capture
Capture both generalized and specialized images directly from the template VM
Capturing an image from a template VM creates a specialized image. Generalized images require a separate Azure VM workflow
VM SKU Flexibility
Create custom VM SKUs with configurable CPU, memory, GPU, storage type, and disk size
Limited to predefined VM sizes. Custom CPU, memory, storage, and disk configurations are not supported
Idle Timeout Settings
Idle timeout can be enforced globally across all labs
Idle timeout can be configured at the lab plan level, but cannot be restricted
Lab Creation Time
Labs are available immediately upon creation
Lab creation can take up to 20 minutes
Lab Publishing
No publishing step required. Labs are available immediately
Labs must be published before users can access them
User Experience & Access
Native browser-based RDP and SSH access over HTTPS
Users connect through native RDP or SSH clients
Lab Type
Supports both persistent and non-persistent lab environments
Supports persistent lab environments only
Management Structure
Simplified tenant-level management structure
Uses Lab Plans and Lab Accounts to manage global settings
VM Uptime Quota
Optional VM uptime restrictions can enforce usage limits
Allocates lab hours to users outside scheduled events
VM Deployment & Management
Uses on-demand Lab Instances provisioned when users request access
Uses VM Pools that must be published before assignment
User Password Management
Supports unique auto-generated passwords for users
Users can reset passwords after their first login
Scheduling
Supports access, provisioning, startup, and shutdown schedules
Supports VM startup and shutdown schedules
User Synchronization
Supports group synchronization and Administrative Unit-based scoping
Supports Azure AD group synchronization
Post-Creation Lab Edits
Lab name, expiry date, and user quota can be modified after creation
Key properties cannot be edited after creation
Multi-VM Environments
Supports up to five VMs within a single lab
Supports one VM per lab environment
Instructor Monitoring
Shadow VM support for real-time instructor visibility
Not supported
Cost Reporting & Billing
Detailed Power BI reports for lab and learner cost tracking
Integrated with Azure Billing and Cost Management
Monitoring & Logging
Detailed audit logs and activity tracking
Limited built-in monitoring capabilities
Lab Access Control
Supports lab capacity and access controls
Not supported
Lab Registration
Registration code-based access supported
Registration links supported
Post-Creation Template Changes
Template image and SKU can be changed after creation
Template image and SKU cannot be changed after creation
Lab Expiry Management
Supports configurable lab expiry dates
Not supported
Lab Lifecycle Tracking
Supports Active, Expired, and Deleted lab lifecycle tracking
Not supported
User Access Requirements
Supports multiple identity providers and account types
Requires a Microsoft account
LTI Integration
Supports LTI 1.1 and LTI 1.3 standards for broader LMS compatibility
Native integration with Microsoft Teams and Canvas LMS

Disclaimer: This comparison is based on publicly available information as of June 2026. Features and capabilities may vary. Please refer to the respective vendor websites for the latest details. Azure Lab Services and all associated logos, trademarks, service marks, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification and comparison purposes only and does not imply any affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or partnership between Azure Lab Services, CloudLabs, or Spektra Systems.

Key Advantages

Key Advantages of CloudLabs VM Labs

CloudLabs VM Labs builds on the core capabilities of Azure Lab Services while adding greater flexibility.

  • Customized Labs

    Deploy Windows and Linux virtual labs tailored to your exact training, classroom, certification, or hands-on learning requirements.

  • Powered by Microsoft Azure

    Deploy lab virtual machines in the Microsoft Azure region of your choice, leveraging Azure's global infrastructure, performance, and reliability.

  • Browser-Based Access

    Enable users to access virtual machines directly through a web browser without installing additional software, plugins, or client applications.

  • Custom VM SKUs

    Define the exact combination of vCPUs, RAM, GPUs, disk types, and storage capacity for your lab environments, rather than being limited to predefined VM configurations.

  • LMS Compatible

    Integrate with a wide range of learning management systems via LTI 1.1 and 1.3, providing flexibility across diverse LMS ecosystems.

  • Dedicated & Shared VMs

    Choose between assigning dedicated virtual machines to individual users or enabling multiple users to access a shared VM through multi-session capabilities.

  • Live Instructor Monitoring

    VM Shadow allows instructors to view any learner's active session in real time, making it easy to guide, assist, troubleshoot, and monitor progress during training.

  • Unique Passwords Per-User

    Automatically generate a unique random password for each learner and distribute credentials directly, eliminating the need for user self-service password resets.

  • Deploy VMs On-Demand

    Deploy virtual machines only when learners request them, eliminating idle pre-provisioned infrastructure and helping reduce cloud costs.

  • Invite-Only Access

    Provide invited users with immediate access to virtual machines without sharing Azure subscriptions or granting portal-level permissions.

  • Reusable Custom Templates

    Create and reuse custom VM templates across multiple labs, courses, semesters, and learner cohorts without rebuilding environments from scratch.

  • Scheduling & Usage Quotas

    Automatically start and stop virtual machines, configure recurring schedules, and enforce per-user usage quotas to maintain budget control.

  • Scale to Hundreds in Minutes

    Quickly provision and scale hundreds of virtual machines while CloudLabs automatically manages the underlying infrastructure.

  • Automation at Scale

    Automate repetitive tasks such as VM provisioning, scheduling, startup, shutdown, and environment cleanup to reduce manual administration.

  • In-built Lab Manual

    Provide step-by-step lab instructions directly alongside the virtual machine so learners can complete exercises without leaving the lab environment.

Learn More

Discover CloudLabs VM Labs on Azure Marketplace

Purchase CloudLabs solutions directly through Azure Marketplace and manage billing through your Azure subscription. Simplify procurement, streamline payments, and leverage the security and flexibility of the Microsoft ecosystem.

Buy CloudLabs VM Labs on Azure Marketplace

CloudLabs redefining success

Most trusted lab provider for global ISVs, enterprises, educational institutions, & ed-tech companies of all sizes

  • Microsoft
  • Google
  • MIT
  • IBM
  • Accenture
  • Capgemini
  • Columbia University
  • Tech Mahindra
  • Infosys
  • University of Washington
  • Palo Alto Networks
  • Deakin University
  • Kyndryl
  • Cognizant
  • Databricks
  • Simplilearn
  • Datadog
  • Check Point
  • Seneca Polytechnic
  • Sophos
  • Red Hat
  • Udacity
  • Cloudera
  • BCIT
  • VMware
  • Trainocate
  • Axonius
  • Netskope
  • Barracuda
Client Stories

Why Organizations Choose CloudLabs

Discover how CloudLabs helps organizations streamline lab operations, reduce manual effort, and deliver impactful hands-on experiences at scale.

"We are incredibly pleased with our experience using CloudLabs by Spektra Systems. Their responsiveness and support have been nothing short of outstanding. They demonstrated remarkable flexibility in accommodating our unique processes, resulting in a seamless and highly productive collaboration. Thanks to CloudLabs, we have successfully delivered Azure-related courses to a substantial number of students."

David Trinh

David Trinh

Academic Program Manager, Seneca Polytechnic

View all success stories
David TrinhTal Ein-HabarNina SuiArmando LacerdaJeff FaticCoree Mahoney

From the blog

Plan Your Migration from Azure Lab Services with CloudLabs VM Labs

As Azure Lab Services approaches retirement, explore migration guides, best practices, cost optimization strategies, and expert insights to help you transition and scale hands-on labs with confidence.

Read More

Start Planning Early

Azure Lab Services Retires Soon. Start Planning Early to Avoid Last-Minute Disruption

Get up to $2,000 in Azure credits. Evaluate CloudLabs VM Labs under guided support before committing to a full plan.

  • Test the platform with real learners

    Host controlled lab sessions, run live pilot tests, and collect direct actionable feedback.

  • Get end-to-end managed support

    Lab setup, configuration management, automation scripting, and priority issue resolution included.

  • Explore clear migration timelines

    Our experts will analyze your present lab setup and share detailed transition timelines.

  • Run LMS compatibility checks

    Verify integration between CloudLabs VM Labs and your existing learning ecosystem.

Start your CloudLabs VM Labs trial

Tell us about your lab setup and our team will map a clear migration path.

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