Azure Container Instances
Azure Container Instances (ACI) is a serverless container service on Microsoft Azure that allows developers to run containers directly without managing underlying virtual machines or orchestrators. It provides a fast and simple way to deploy isolated containers in the cloud, with per-second billing and automatic scaling based on demand. ACI supports both Linux and Windows containers, making it ideal for running microservices, batch jobs, and simple applications.
Developers should use Azure Container Instances when they need to quickly deploy containerized applications without the overhead of managing Kubernetes clusters or virtual machines, such as for development/testing environments, short-lived tasks, or simple microservices. It is particularly useful for scenarios requiring rapid scaling, cost-effective per-second billing, and integration with other Azure services like Azure Functions or Logic Apps for event-driven workflows.