Microsoft Marketplace

What is Microsoft Marketplace?

As of early 2026, the Microsoft Marketplace has officially unified what were once two separate storefronts: Microsoft AppSource (for business applications) and Azure Marketplace (for IT infrastructure). This is a rebranding and consolidation effort that Microsoft has been working on with the goal of creating a single, cohesive experience for customers and partners alike.

This consolidation has transformed the platform from a simple app directory into a sophisticated “commerce engine” that powers the entire Microsoft Cloud. While the names “AppSource” and “Azure Marketplace” are still used as specialized search views, they are now parts of a single backend catalog. This “Marketplace” is now the primary gateway for active users to find, try, and buy certified cloud solutions.

Seamless Procurement and Unified Billing

One of the most significant features of the Marketplace is the unified invoice.

Consolidated Billing: Whether a customer buys a third-party CRM tool or an Azure virtual machine, the cost appears on their existing Microsoft bill.
Budget Optimization (MACC): Large organizations often have a Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC). In the new Marketplace, purchases of eligible third-party apps count toward this commitment, essentially allowing companies to buy your software using “pre-paid” cloud credits. +1

The Rise of “Transactable” Offers

The Marketplace is no longer just a “lead generation” site where users click “Contact Me.” It is now a fully transactable storefront.

Global Reach: Microsoft acts as the “Merchant of Record,” handling taxes and currency conversion in over 140 countries.
Private Offers: Sales teams can now create “Private Offers” with custom pricing and terms specifically for one customer, while still utilizing the Marketplace’s automated billing and deployment systems.

AI-First Discovery (The Copilot Factor)

The Marketplace is the brain behind Microsoft Copilot. When users ask Copilot for a solution (such as “How can I track my field technicians in real-time?”), the AI queries the Marketplace catalog to find certified apps.

AI Agents: A new category of “AI Agents” allows developers to publish specialized Copilot extensions that users can install directly into their Microsoft 365 environment.
Contextual Surfacing: Microsoft now surfaces relevant Marketplace apps directly inside products like Business Central and Microsoft Teams based on the user’s current task.

Key Benefits

Here are a list of benefits of the new Microsoft Marketplace for customers and partners.

List of Benefits

Trust: You are downloading tools from a secure ecosystem rather than random websites.
Simplicity: You use your existing Microsoft account to sign in and pay. No new passwords or credit card entries are required.
Customization: It allows you to make your standard Microsoft software do exactly what you need it to do, whether that’s tracking a fleet of trucks or managing a local bake sale.
Global Access: It connects you to small, innovative software creators from all over the world that you might never have found otherwise.

Key Features

Here are some of the standout features of the new Microsoft Marketplace.

The “Verified” Seal of Approval

Every app in the Marketplace has been tested and “vetted” by Microsoft. This means you don’t have to worry if an app is safe (e.g. virus, malware) to install or if it will break your existing setup. It’s like buying a certified pre-owned car. The manufacturer has already checked the engine for you so you don’t have to worry if it will work.

Unified Invoice

“One Invoice, Zero Headaches”. Instead of having 20 different monthly bills for 20 different tools, everything you buy through the Marketplace is added to your existing Microsoft bill. It’s clean, organized, and makes it much easier to see what you are spending each month.

Free Trials

“Try Before You Buy”. Almost every solution in the Marketplace offers a free trial or a “test drive.” This allows you to play with the software in a safe, temporary environment to see if it actually solves your problem before you spend a single dollar.

Smart Recommendations (AI Integration)

With the rise of Microsoft Copilot, the Marketplace has become much smarter. If you’re working in a document and realize you need a specific tool—like a way to track a delivery or create a complex chart—you can simply ask the AI. It will “search the store” for you and suggest the best app for the job instantly.

Summary

The Microsoft Marketplace is the unified digital storefront where individuals and businesses find software that plugs directly into the Microsoft products they use every day, like Excel, Teams, and Business Central. It serves as a single “hub” that merges what were once separate stores (AppSource and Azure Marketplace) into one easy-to-navigate catalog. Whether you need a simple add-in to create better charts or a complex AI agent to help manage a global supply chain, it is the central destination for professional tools.

The primary advantage of using the Marketplace is trust and simplicity. Every app is pre-vetted by Microsoft to ensure it is secure and works perfectly with your existing setup, removing the risk of downloading “junk” software from the open web. Additionally, it streamlines your finances by adding any software you buy directly to your existing Microsoft bill, meaning you get one single, organized invoice for all your digital tools instead of dozens of separate subscriptions.

Finally, the Marketplace is now built for the era of Artificial Intelligence. Through integration with Microsoft Copilot, you can find the exact tool you need just by asking your digital assistant a question in plain English. This turns the Marketplace from a static list of apps into an active library of “AI Agents” that can help you automate tasks, track deliveries, or analyze data within a secure environment that protects your privacy and business information.