Azure Sphere
IoT security solutions
System security software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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Less than $8.95 one-time per MCU
Free Trial unavailableFree version unavailable
Small
Medium
Large
- Manufacturing
- Information technology and software
- Public sector and nonprofit organizations
What is Azure Sphere
Azure Sphere is a secured MCU platform for building and operating connected IoT devices with a hardware root of trust, a custom Linux-based OS, and a cloud security service for updates and device attestation. It targets OEMs and product teams that need to reduce device compromise risk and manage security maintenance across deployed fleets. The product focuses on device-level security controls (secure boot, certificate-based authentication, and over-the-air updates) rather than network monitoring or connectivity management.
End-to-end device security stack
Azure Sphere combines certified hardware, an OS designed for isolation, and a cloud service for device authentication and update delivery. This integrated approach reduces the need to assemble separate components for secure boot, identity, and patching. It is well-suited to embedded devices where the primary risk is compromise at the endpoint rather than only at the network layer.
Strong device identity and attestation
The platform uses certificate-based device authentication and a hardware-backed root of trust to establish device identity. It supports attestation workflows that help validate device integrity before allowing access to services. This is useful for manufacturers that need consistent identity management across large device fleets.
Managed security updates at scale
Azure Sphere Security Service provides a mechanism for delivering OS and security updates over the air. Centralized update management helps reduce operational burden compared with bespoke update pipelines. It aligns with long-lived IoT deployments where ongoing patching is a core requirement.
Limited to Sphere-capable hardware
Azure Sphere requires supported MCU hardware and the Azure Sphere OS, which constrains use in existing designs that use other chipsets or operating systems. Migrating an established product line can require hardware redesign and recertification work. This makes it less applicable as a retrofit security layer for heterogeneous device estates.
Not a network security platform
The product focuses on securing the device itself and does not provide full network detection and response, passive asset discovery, or OT network visibility. Organizations that need monitoring across mixed vendors and legacy devices typically require additional tooling. As a result, Azure Sphere is not a complete substitute for network-centric IoT/OT security programs.
Azure service dependency
Core functions such as device authentication and update distribution rely on the Azure Sphere cloud security service. This can be a constraint for deployments with strict sovereignty, offline operation, or non-cloud requirements. It may also introduce vendor dependency considerations for long-term device lifecycle planning.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan / SKU | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| MT3620AN (first Azure Sphere certified MCU) | Less than $8.95 (one-time) | One-time price covers the physical MCU, license for the MCU, Azure Sphere OS, and device access to the Azure Sphere Security Service. Components are sold together by distributors; pricing may vary by volume and distributor but will not exceed the published price. No ongoing subscription or consumption fees for the Azure Sphere Security Service from Microsoft; separate Azure services used by your application incur normal Azure charges. |
Seller details
Microsoft Corporation
Redmond, Washington, United States
1975
Public
https://www.microsoft.com/
https://x.com/Microsoft
https://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft/
