Azure Language vs Google Cloud Natural Language API
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Azure Language starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Natural Language API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Pre-trained API for entities, sentiment and text classification
FreemiumAt a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Sentiment analysis
- Named entity recognition
- PII detection and redaction
- Text summarization
- Custom intent models
- Health text analytics
- Entity analysis
- Sentiment analysis
- Syntax analysis
- Content classification
- Text moderation
| Feature | Azure Language | Google Cloud Natural Language API |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Microsoft cloud API for sentiment, entities, PII and text summaries | Pre-trained API for entities, sentiment and text classification |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Microsoft | |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: Sentiment analysis.
Pricing compared
Azure Language starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Natural Language API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
Free tier
Free
- First 5,000 units of entity analysis
Entity analysis
$1.00 / 1K units
- Up to 1M units a month
- Cheaper above 1M units
Entity sentiment
$2.00 / 1K units
- Sentiment per entity
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Azure Language
- Many NLP tasks behind one API
- Supports many languages
- Enterprise compliance through Azure
- Needs an Azure subscription and setup
- Usage pricing is hard to estimate upfront
- Product names change often
Google Cloud Natural Language API
- No model training required
- Monthly free usage
- Volume discounts at scale
- Fixed models offer limited customization
- Separate prices per feature
- Requires Google Cloud billing
Which one should you choose?
Choose Azure Language if you want:
- Many NLP tasks behind one API
- Supports many languages
- Enterprise compliance through Azure
Watch out: needs an azure subscription and setup.
Choose Google Cloud Natural Language API if you want:
- No model training required
- Monthly free usage
- Volume discounts at scale
Watch out: fixed models offer limited customization.
Azure Language vs Google Cloud Natural Language API FAQ
What is the difference between Azure Language and Google Cloud Natural Language API?
Azure Language: Microsoft cloud API for sentiment, entities, PII and text summaries. Google Cloud Natural Language API: Pre-trained API for entities, sentiment and text classification. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Azure Language or Google Cloud Natural Language API cheaper?
Azure Language starts at See pricing page and Google Cloud Natural Language API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Azure Language and Google Cloud Natural Language API have free plans?
Azure Language: Yes. Google Cloud Natural Language API: Yes.
Who makes Azure Language?
Azure Language is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Who makes Google Cloud Natural Language API?
Google Cloud Natural Language API is made by Google, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Azure Language or Google Cloud Natural Language API?
Choose Azure Language if you value many nlp tasks behind one api and supports many languages. Choose Google Cloud Natural Language API if you value no model training required and monthly free usage.