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Azure Functions vs. Azure Logic Apps: A Practical Comparison

When building automation or integration solutions in the cloud, Microsoft gives us two powerful tools: Azure Functions and Azure Logic Apps.

At first glance, they may look similar because both help you respond to events, process data, and connect services. But they are designed for different purposes and audiences.

1. What are Azure Functions?

Azure Functions is a serverless compute service.

  • You write code in languages like C#, Python, JavaScript, Java, or PowerShell.

  • That code runs on demand, triggered by events like HTTP requests, timers, queue messages, or file uploads.

  • You don’t worry about servers — Azure automatically handles scaling and availability.

Think of it as “code that runs only when something happens.”

Example Use Cases

  • Run custom business logic when a file is uploaded.

  • Expose a lightweight API endpoint.

  • Process IoT telemetry or events at scale.

2. What is Azure Logic Apps?

Azure Logic Apps is a low-code/no-code workflow service.

  • You design workflows visually using a drag-and-drop designer.

  • It comes with hundreds of connectors (Office 365, SAP, SQL, Teams, Salesforce, Twitter, etc.).

  • Great for automating business processes without writing much code.

Think of it as “a workflow builder that connects systems together.”

Example Use Cases

  • When an email arrives, save attachments to OneDrive and send a Teams notification.

  • Monitor a SQL database and trigger alerts.

  • Automate approval processes (leave requests, invoices).

3. Key Differences

Feature / AreaAzure FunctionsAzure Logic Apps
AudienceDevelopers (code-first)Business users & IT (low-code)
ApproachWrite code in C#, JS, Python, etc.Visual designer + connectors
TriggersHTTP, Timer, Blob, Queue, Event Grid100s of connectors (SharePoint, Teams, SQL, SAP, etc.)
Custom LogicFull flexibility in codeLimited expressions and conditions
ScalabilityHigh, event-drivenHigh, workflow-driven
PricingPay per execution or Premium planPay per action/connector
Best ForAPIs, event handling, heavy processingIntegrations, approvals, workflows

4. Example: Blob Upload Trigger

Let’s build the same scenario in both:

Scenario: “When a file is uploaded to Azure Blob Storage, log its name and size.”

Option 1. Azure Functions (Code-First)

We’ll use the .NET 9 Isolated Worker model.

using System.IO;
using Microsoft.Azure.Functions.Worker;
using Microsoft.Extensions.Logging;

public class BlobProcessor
{
    private readonly ILogger _logger;

    public BlobProcessor(ILoggerFactory loggerFactory)
    {
        _logger = loggerFactory.CreateLogger<BlobProcessor>();
    }

    [Function("BlobProcessor")]
    public void Run([BlobTrigger("uploads/{name}")] Stream blob, string name)
    {
        _logger.LogInformation($"File uploaded: {name}, Size: {blob.Length} bytes");
    }
}

How it works

  • [BlobTrigger("uploads/{name}")] tells Azure to trigger this function whenever a file is uploaded to the uploads container.

  • name is automatically filled with the blob filename.

  • We log details (file name and size).

With Functions, you could easily extend this to validate the file, parse content, or call APIs.

Option 2. Azure Logic Apps (Workflow-First)

Using the Logic Apps Designer:

  1. Add a Trigger → When a blob is added or modified (Azure Blob Storage).

  2. Add an Action → Compose (to log the file name).

  3. Save the workflow.

Under the hood, the Logic App definition looks like this (simplified):

{
  "definition": {
    "triggers": {
      "BlobCreated": {
        "type": "ApiConnection",
        "inputs": {
          "host": {
            "connection": { "name": "@parameters('$connections')['azureblob']['connectionId']" }
          },
          "path": "/datasets/default/triggers/onupdatedfile",
          "method": "get"
        }
      }
    },
    "actions": {
      "LogBlobInfo": {
        "type": "Compose",
        "inputs": "New file detected in Blob Storage!"
      }
    }
  }
}

How it works

  • Logic App monitors the Blob container.

  • When a new file appears, it executes the workflow (e.g., log message, send Teams notification, move file, etc.).

With Logic Apps, you can add more actions without code (e.g., notify on Teams, save metadata in SQL).

5. When to Use What?

  • Use Azure Functions if:

    • You need custom processing logic.

    • You’re a developer comfortable with coding.

    • You need high-performance event-driven applications.

  • Use Azure Logic Apps if:

    • You want to integrate multiple services quickly.

    • You prefer low-code, visual workflows.

    • You’re building business process automation.

In many cases, they work together: Logic Apps orchestrates the workflow, and calls Azure Functions for complex custom steps.

6. Conclusion

Both Azure Functions and Azure Logic Apps are serverless tools, but they serve different needs:

  • Functions = for developers → write custom code, build APIs, process events.

  • Logic Apps = for IT/business users → automate workflows with a visual designer.

For real-world solutions, many teams combine both:

  • Logic Apps as the workflow brain,

  • Functions as the custom logic engine.

This way, you get the best of both worlds — low-code integration with the flexibility of custom code.

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