Azure Lab Services Migration Hub
Azure Lab Services Retires Soon! Plan Your Migration Now
Everything you love about Azure Lab Services is available in CloudLabs VM Labs, and we have added more. Migrate now!
Get up to $2,000 in Azure credits, available for qualified ALS users.
-
100+
Leading institutions trust CloudLabs VM Labs
-
47,000+
Students migrated from ALS to VM Labs in 1 year
-
Microsoft Recommended
Azure Lab Services alternative
100+ Leading Institutions Worldwide Have Already Migrated
- MIT
- Seneca Polytechnic
- Queens University
- Columbia University
- Deakin University
- University of Washington
- Northeastern University
- BCIT
- Toronto Metropolitan University
- Carnegie University
- Austin Community College
- Bellevue University
Free Trial
Sign up for CloudLabs VM Labs 30-Day FREE Trial
Explore CloudLabs VM Labs by enrolling in a 30-day FREE Trial. Create your own labs, invite instructors and learners, and experience the platform firsthand before planning your transition from Azure Lab Services.
-
Test the Platform with Real Users
Run pilot sessions with instructors and learners to experience CloudLabs VM Labs in real scenarios and gather direct feedback.
-
Create and Explore Your Own Labs
Set up your own labs using the VM images and regions available in your trial. You can create up to 5 labs with 3 instances per lab.
-
Experience the Platform First-Hand
Explore lab creation and management, invite users, and experience the complete lab journey before migration.
-
Check LMS Compatibility
Review how CloudLabs VM Labs works with your existing learning ecosystem and identify integration requirements before moving forward.
The Azure Lab Services Migration Playbook, 2026 Edition
Assess > Evaluate > Pilot > Migrate > Optimize
An end-to-end guide to help existing Azure Lab Services users migrate to CloudLabs VM Labs before the deadline. Get expert-curated FREE:
-
Environment assessment checklist
Assess existing labs, VM images, and cost baseline
-
Evaluation scorecard
Compare and choose the right platform
-
Migration plan
Explained step by step
-
Cost optimization strategy
Including how colleges cut operational costs by up to 65%
Download the Migration Playbook
Fill in the short form and your copy downloads straight away.
Compare
Azure Lab Services vs CloudLabs VM Labs
Compare Azure Lab Services and CloudLabs VM Labs across critical features that impact scalability, flexibility, and operational efficiency.
Watch the Migration, On Demand
Every semester you wait shrinks your window to migrate on your own terms. Watch our recorded sessions and see exactly what the move looks like before you commit to anything.
Recorded session · 60 min
Azure Lab Services Retirement: Navigating the Transition
A hands-on introduction to CloudLabs VM Labs and our dedicated transition support for existing Azure Lab Services users, with a live product walkthrough and migration overview.
Modernize Campus IT and Hands-on Labs with Microsoft Azure
Recorded session · 60 min
How universities are replacing on-premises lab infrastructure with scalable, cost-efficient Azure-powered labs, with insights from Microsoft Canada and Seneca Polytechnic.
Seneca's Journey to Delivering Impactful Cloud Skills in Continuing Ed
Recorded session · 60 min
Seneca Polytechnic leaders share how they built a scalable, cost-controlled cloud skills program on hands-on labs, and what they learned about managing cloud spend.
Migration Guides and Resources
CloudLabs VM Labs for ALS Customers
Full product story, feature comparison, and example pricing for educational institutions.
VM Labs One-Pager (PDF)
Key capabilities on a single page, ready to share with your team and leadership.
CloudLabs Migration Tool Guide
Official step-by-step documentation for migrating VM images and labs from existing Lab Accounts and Lab Plans.
From the Blog
Plan Your Migration from Azure Lab Services with CloudLabs VM Labs
As Azure Lab Services approaches retirement, explore migration guides, best practices, cost optimization strategies, and expert insights to help you transition and scale hands-on labs with confidence.
Published Sep 17, 2024
Step-by-Step Guide Transition from Azure Lab Services to CloudLabs VM Labs
Amit Malik7 min
Published Nov 17, 2025
Azure Lab Services Is Retiring: What It Means for You?
Harshal Charde10 min
Published Mar 6, 2026
Migrate From Azure Lab Services Without Breaking Student Experience
Amit Malik5 min
Published Aug 23, 2024
Best Alternatives to Microsoft Azure Lab Services in 2026
Amit Malik13 min
Why Organizations Choose CloudLabs
Discover how CloudLabs helps organizations streamline lab operations, reduce manual effort, and deliver impactful hands-on experiences at scale.
Migrate Before the Deadline Decides for You
Migrating from Azure Lab Services doesn't have to be disruptive. Our experts work with your team to assess your environment, plan your migration, optimize costs, and prepare your faculty and students for a seamless transition.
-
Environment Assessment
Our experts will review your existing Azure Lab Services environment, lab inventory, VM images, and configurations to help you determine the best migration approach.
-
Migration Planning & Expert Guidance
CloudLabs experts define your Azure migration plan and timeline, help evaluate lab configurations, onboard faculty, and prepare for a smooth rollout.
-
Azure Cost Optimization Review
Evaluate your Azure infrastructure and storage usage, identify cost-saving opportunities, and build a predictable cloud cost strategy before migrating.
-
Hands-On Platform Introduction
Introduce CloudLabs VM Labs to your faculty and students during the September semester, giving them time to become familiar with the platform before full adoption in January.
Talk to a Migration Expert
Tell us about your requirements, and a CloudLabs migration expert will reach out.
FAQ
Questions,
answered.
What is the best Azure Lab Services alternative?
CloudLabs VM Labs is the Microsoft-recommended Azure Lab Services alternative, named in Microsoft's official retirement guide among recommended partner solutions. 100+ institutions already trust CloudLabs VM Labs, which builds on the ALS experience your teams know, offers browser-based access, self-service setup, and preconfigured Windows and Linux VMs, and adds what ALS never had: VM Shadow instructor monitoring and detailed cost reporting.
Can we migrate our existing labs and VM images?
Yes. You can move VM images and labs from your existing Lab Accounts and Lab Plans using the CloudLabs Migration Tool. Our experts offer end-to-end assistance, helping you migrate complex custom images and multiple labs in batches.
How long does migration from Azure Lab Services take?
It depends on your labs and custom images, which is why every migration starts with an environment assessment. Our experts review your setup and share a transition timeline for your institution, structured so no course ever moves mid-term.
How do the $2,000 Azure credits work?
Qualified ALS migrations receive up to $2,000 in Azure credits applied to CloudLabs VM Labs usage, so evaluation and early migration start without upfront cost. Our team confirms eligibility during your environment assessment.