Microsoft is highlighting an often-overlooked benefit of eligible Visual Studio Subscriptions: monthly Azure credits that developers can use to build, test, and experiment in the cloud. The benefit provides developers with a personal Azure sandbox, making it easier to explore new services, prototype ideas, and build practical cloud skills without needing a separate Azure budget.

Here’s what you need to know:

Build and Learn in Your Own Azure Environment
There’s no substitute for hands-on experience, and your Azure credit gives you room to move from “How does this work?” to “Let me try it.” Configure services, deploy code, troubleshoot issues, and understand how different Azure components work together.
Explore New Ideas With Azure Credits
New cloud services, architectures, development tools, and AI capabilities are emerging constantly. Your individual Azure credit gives you a space to explore new technologies, test ideas, and build skills at your own pace.
Experiment With Greater Peace of Mind
You don’t need to provide a payment method to activate your individual Azure credit. If you use your full monthly credit without adding a payment method, Azure usage stops until your credit resets rather than automatically charging you for additional usage.
Know How to Make the Most of Your Credits
The individual Azure credit is intended for personal development and testing rather than production workloads. Your credit renews monthly while you remain eligible, unused credit doesn’t accumulate, and some services, quotas, and geographic restrictions may apply.
Turn Your Azure Credits Into Hands-On Experience
Your Visual Studio Subscription includes more than the IDE, and Azure credits are an easy-to-overlook benefit for learning and experimentation. Try a service you’ve been curious about, build a proof of concept, test an architecture, or simply explore what Azure can do.

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