Beyond using Tailpipe to examine cloud access and enhance security monitoring, it also serves as a powerful tool for investigating your Azure cost and usage information. The newest iteration of the [Azure plugin](https://hub.tailpipe.io/plugins/turbot/azure) for Tailpipe now features tables dedicated to cost and usage analysis through your [Azure Cost and Usage Actual exports](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cost-management-billing/costs/tutorial-improved-exports). Together with the recently released [Azure Cost and Usage Insights Mod for Powerpipe](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights), you can generate insightful visualizations of your spending data using [Powerpipe](https://powerpipe.io). ## Configure and collect logs Through the [Azure plugin](https://hub.tailpipe.io/plugins/turbot/azure), establish a [partition](https://tailpipe.io/docs/reference/config-files/partition) for organizing your cost and usage exports: ```hcl connection "azure" "cost_account" { tenant_id = "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000" subscription_id = "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000" client_id = "00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000" client_secret = "my plaintext secret" } partition "azure_cost_and_usage_actual" "my_costs" { source "azure_blob_storage" { connection = connection.azure.cost_account account_name = "storage_account_name" container = "container_name" } } ``` After configuring the partition, initiate log collection. ```shell tailpipe collect azure_cost_and_usage_actual ``` ## Analyze your cost metrics Following log collection, various queries help illuminate your spending. Here's an example showing monthly cost totals. ```sql select date_trunc('month', date) as month, round(sum(cost_in_usd),2) as total_cost_usd, from azure_cost_and_usage_actual group by month order by month desc ``` ```shell +---------------------+----------------+ | month | total_cost_usd | +---------------------+----------------+ | 2025-08-01 00:00:00 | 612.45 | | 2025-07-01 00:00:00 | 584.12 | | 2025-06-01 00:00:00 | 559.38 | | 2025-05-01 00:00:00 | 533.90 | | 2025-04-01 00:00:00 | 498.27 | | 2025-03-01 00:00:00 | 472.15 | +---------------------+----------------+ ``` Interested in discovering your costliest services? ```sql select service_family, round(sum(cost_in_usd),2) as total_cost_usd from azure_cost_and_usage_actual group by service_family order by total_cost_usd desc limit 10; ``` ```shell +----------------------+----------------+ | service_family | total_cost_usd | +----------------------+----------------+ | Virtual Machines | 245.73 | | Storage | 182.64 | | Networking | 120.58 | | SQL Database | 95.34 | | App Service | 76.12 | | Cosmos DB | 54.87 | | Key Vault | 32.19 | | Kubernetes Service | 28.55 | | Functions | 15.40 | | Monitor | 8.73 | +----------------------+----------------+ ``` ## Visualize in Powerpipe Tailpipe queries excel at answering targeted cost questions, yet comprehensive spending analysis across time periods and categories calls for visual representations. The [Azure Cost and Usage Insights Mod for Powerpipe](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights) delivers specialized dashboards tailored for these analytical needs.

### Cost and Usage Report Overview The [Overview](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights/dashboards/dashboard.cost_and_usage_actual_overview_dashboard) dashboard offers an extensive perspective on your cost and usage metrics. The view encompasses overall spending summaries featuring monthly and daily patterns, complemented by detailed cost distributions across subscriptions and regions.

Cost and Usage Report: Overview dashboard in Powerpipe

### Cost by Service To examine service-level expenses, the [Cost by Service](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights/dashboards/dashboard.cost_and_usage_actual_cost_by_service_dashboard) dashboard segments costs across different services. This analysis reveals your highest-cost Azure services within each subscription and presents comprehensive cost breakdowns per service.

Cost and Usage Report: Cost by Service dashboard in Powerpipe

### Cost by Resource Group Resource groups form the foundation of Azure resource organization and management. The [Cost by Resource Group](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights/dashboards/dashboard.cost_and_usage_actual_cost_by_resource_group_dashboard) dashboard enables you to track spending across different resource groups, making it simple to identify which departments, projects, or environments consume the most budget. This granular view helps teams understand cost allocation and supports chargeback scenarios where different groups need accountability for their Azure consumption.

Cost and Usage Report: Cost by Resource Group dashboard in Powerpipe

## See it in action

## Start exploring your Azure cost and usage data Both the [Tailpipe Azure Cost and Usage table](https://hub.tailpipe.io/plugins/turbot/azure/tables/azure_cost_and_usage_actual) and the [Powerpipe Azure Cost and Usage Insights Mod](https://hub.powerpipe.io/mods/turbot/tailpipe-mod-azure-cost-and-usage-insights) are currently available for implementation. Share your experiences with us through our [community forum](https://turbot.com/community/join)!

Explore Azure cost management with Tailpipe