TRANSPARENCY INDEX · FROZEN 2026-08-27
AZURE OPENAI
Right of reply
Contacted 2026-08-28 via email [email protected]. No reply within the 14-day window (closed 2026-09-11).
Methodology and the 14-day process: the frozen RFC.
PRICING CLARITY
List prices per 1M tokens (input/output) published on an official page without login.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-openai/Captured 2026-08-28
Price unit is unambiguous (per 1M tokens; input vs output separated).
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-openai/Captured 2026-08-28
Page states an effective/updated date (attributable to a snapshot).
https://prices.azure.com/api/retail/pricesCaptured 2026-08-28
Cached/batch/discount tiers (where offered) published officially.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-openai/Captured 2026-08-28
Promotional pricing labeled as promotional (with end date if time-limited).
We found a time-limited credit offer with a stated duration, but no promotional rate on model tokens. We judged an account credit not to be promotional pricing, so this is NOT VERIFIABLE rather than MET.
Captured 2026-08-28 · re-verified against the live page 2026-09-13
BILLING PREDICTABILITY
How usage is metered is documented (tokenizer, counting rules, rounding).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/concepts/manage-costsCaptured 2026-08-28
Cached/prefix behavior is documented (automatic vs opt-in).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/openai/how-to/prompt-cachingCaptured 2026-08-28
A tool/formula to estimate request cost before sending is published.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/concepts/manage-costsCaptured 2026-08-28
Known billing surprises (TTLs, write premiums, minimums) disclosed in docs.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/ai-foundry/openai/how-to/provisioned-throughput-onboardingCaptured 2026-08-28
Historical prices are discoverable or retrievable on request.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cost-management/price-sheetCaptured 2026-08-28
SPEND OBSERVABILITY
Usage available per model in console/API (not only aggregated).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/concepts/manage-costsCaptured 2026-08-28
Token counts (input/output) reported alongside spend.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/openai/monitor-openai-referenceCaptured 2026-08-28
Per-request or per-API-key breakdown available.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/openai/monitor-openai-referenceCaptured 2026-08-28
Usage/cost export exists (CSV/API) without premium tier.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/tutorial-improved-exportsCaptured 2026-08-28
Near-real-time spend tracking (sub-hour refresh) exists.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/understand-cost-mgt-dataYour documentation describes an estimated-cost view as near-real-time but publishes no refresh interval for it, while every interval it does publish is four hours or longer. We could not determine sub-hour refresh either way. Publishing the interval would settle this.
Captured 2026-08-28 · re-verified against the live page 2026-09-13
BILLING / INVOICE QUALITY
Invoices line-item by service/model.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/understand-invoiceCaptured 2026-08-28
Invoice shows unit quantities and rates, not only totals.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/understand-invoiceCaptured 2026-08-28
Usage CSV/API and invoice are reconcilable without manual mapping.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/review-individual-billCaptured 2026-08-28
Invoice/notification includes readable date range and currency.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/understand/understand-invoiceCaptured 2026-08-28
Billing docs/invoices available via API for automation.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/billing/invoices/list-by-billing-accountCaptured 2026-08-28
DISCLOSURE
Data-use-for-training policy is clearly published.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/foundry/responsible-ai/openai/data-privacyCaptured 2026-08-28
Energy/environmental information is clearly published (yes/no — never a grade).
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/carbon-optimization/overviewCaptured 2026-08-28
Pricing/support changes are communicated before taking effect.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/azure-openai/Captured 2026-08-28
Official API status page is published.
https://azure.status.microsoft/en-us/statusCaptured 2026-08-28
Terms specify billing, refund and cancellation terms unambiguously.
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/legal/subscription-agreement/Captured 2026-08-28