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How to use Spot VMs in Azure batch (batch allocation mode)

Mageshwaran Murugaian 25 Reputation points
2025-07-17T14:34:13.93+00:00

Background

We have lot of Azure Batch accounts created with batch service allocation mode. We are using the Low-priority VMs extensively to run our batch jobs. As most of you know, it is retiring soon (Sep 30, 2025).

Question

  • After retirement, will Azure Batch account (Batch allocation mode) will work with Spot VMs out of the box or do we need to migrate to User subscrption allocation mode to leverage it?
Azure Batch
Azure Batch
An Azure service that provides cloud-scale job scheduling and compute management.
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  1. Anusree Nashetty 5,820 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-07-18T06:05:07.9033333+00:00

    Hi Mageshwaran Murugaian,

    After the retirement of Low-priority VMs in Azure Batch on September 30, 2025, Batch-managed allocation mode accounts will not automatically support Spot VMs. To use Spot VMs with Azure Batch, you must migrate to Batch accounts using "User subscription" allocation mode.

    • Batch-managed allocation mode (the default for older Batch accounts) only supports Low-priority VMs, which are being retired.
    • User subscription allocation mode supports Spot VMs.
    • After the retirement date, attempts to allocate low-priority compute nodes will fail, and existing pools depending on these will not function.
    • Spot VMs are a different Azure-wide implementation available under User subscription allocation mode, not under Batch-managed mode.

    To continue leveraging discounted, preemptible compute for your batch jobs after low-priority VM retirement, you need to:

    • Migrate (or recreate) your Batch pools under a Batch account in User subscription allocation mode. Configure your pools to use Spot VMs, which are fully supported there.

    Please check below:
    Use Spot VMs with Batch workloads
    Migrate Batch low-priority VMs to Spot VMs

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  1. Satish Mada 5 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-07-24T05:49:28.1933333+00:00

    Hi @Mageshwaran Murugaian

    As suggested by @Anusree Nashetty provided a response below with all the relevant details.

    Please find the details for the latest request below.

    No, it is not possible to change the allocation mode of an existing Azure Batch account from "Batch service" (Batch-managed) allocation mode to "User subscription" allocation mode. The allocation mode is a property that is set at the time of account creation and cannot be switched afterward.

     
    Required Action: Create a New Batch Account

    To move from Batch-managed to User subscription allocation mode, you must:

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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