Azure Private Link vs. Service Endpoints: Which One Should You Use?

Choosing the right network connectivity option in Azure can be confusing. Two common choices are Azure Private Link and Service Endpoints. While both improve access to Azure services, they work differently and serve different needs.

This guide will help you understand how each option works, their pros and cons, and how to decide which one fits your use case.

Service Endpoints: How They Work and When to Use Them

Service Endpoints extend your Virtual Network (VNet) to Azure services over the public internet. They allow services like Azure Storage and SQL Database to recognize your VNet as a trusted network, even though traffic still flows through the public internet.

Pros of Service Endpoints

✔ Easy to set up – Just enable the endpoint on your subnet.
✔ No extra cost – You only pay for the services you use.
✔ Improves access control – You can restrict Azure services to your VNet.

Cons of Service Endpoints

✖ Traffic still uses the public internet – The data path is not private.
✖ No true isolation – It helps secure access, but the service itself remains public.

Best Use Cases for Service Endpoints

• Applications without strict security requirements.

• Services that don’t handle sensitive data.

• Cost-conscious projects that need quick and simple connectivity.

Private Link: How It Works and When to Use It

Private Link creates a fully private connection between your VNet and Azure services. It routes traffic through Microsoft’s private network instead of the public internet. This makes it a secure choice for handling sensitive data.

Pros of Private Link

✔ Fully private connectivity – Traffic never touches the internet.
✔ Stronger security – Reduces risk of unauthorized access and data leaks.
✔ Meets compliance needs – Required for industries with strict regulations.

Cons of Private Link

✖ More complex setup – Requires additional configurations and Private Endpoints.
✖ Additional costs – Private Link incurs extra charges for usage.

Best Use Cases for Private Link

• Applications handling confidential or regulated data.

• Workloads that must avoid public internet exposure.

• Businesses that need the highest level of network security.

Key Decision Factors: Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between Service Endpoints and Private Link depends on your security, cost, and complexity needs. Here’s a quick way to decide:

1. Security Needs

🔹 If you need strict security and don’t want internet exposure, use Private Link.
🔹 If basic access control is enough, Service Endpoints work fine.

2. Cost Considerations

💰 Service Endpoints are free and ideal for cost-sensitive applications.
💰 Private Link adds costs, but provides strong security benefits.

3. Performance & Complexity

⚙ Service Endpoints are easier to manage and work with existing Azure services.
⚙ Private Link requires more setup but ensures a completely private connection.

Conclusion

• Use Service Endpoints if you want a simple, free, and quick way to connect to Azure services with basic security.

• Use Private Link if you need full network isolation, better security, and compliance.

Both options improve network access, but the right choice depends on your specific needs. If security is your priority, Private Link is better. If you want something simpler and more cost-effective, Service Endpoints are the way to go.

Take the time to evaluate your workloads, security policies, and budget before making a decision.

Follow Umesh Pandit

linkedin.com/in/umeshpandit

https://x.com/umeshpanditax

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/umesh-pandit-s-notes-7038805524523483137/