Model compute, storage, and transfer with realistic fees. Compare dedicated VPS bundles against usage-based cloud pricing. Choose the plan that matches your workload today.
| Scenario | Compute | Storage | Transfer | Cloud estimate | VPS estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always-on web app | 1 instance, 730h | 100 GB | 500 GB/mo | ~$98.80/mo | ~$25.00/mo | Transfer can dominate cloud bills. |
| Batch workload | 1 instance, 120h | 200 GB | 100 GB/mo | ~$36.20/mo | ~$25.00/mo | Cloud benefits from fewer hours. |
| Two-node redundancy | 2 instances, 730h | 250 GB | 800 GB/mo | ~$184.60/mo | ~$50.00/mo | VPS may need extra backups/ops. |
Usage pricing makes the largest line items move with demand. Always-on instances look stable, yet autoscaling, burst CPU credits, and regional price differences can shift totals. This calculator separates compute, storage, and transfer so you can see which driver grows fastest as traffic rises and caching changes. Treat these inputs as planning ranges, not a single guess, and document who owns each assumption. If you have multiple environments, model production and staging separately, then sum them. Include monitoring and log retention where applicable. Re-check rates quarterly and store exported CSVs alongside purchase orders for audit trails and clearer internal approvals.
Compute cost is modeled as instances × hours × rate. For steady workloads, 730 hours per month is a good baseline. For batch jobs, lower hours reduce spend sharply. A commitment discount applies only to compute in the model, reflecting how reservations and savings plans usually target instance usage. When comparing, keep instance class consistent and factor in redundancy, because high availability often doubles core compute.
Persistent volumes and object storage often behave like fixed subscriptions: GB-month rates multiplied by retained capacity. Snapshots add a second storage layer that teams forget to budget. By entering snapshot size and rate separately, you can quantify backup retention, compliance copies, and the cost of frequent image pipelines. If your data grows monthly, rerun the calculator using end-of-period capacity to estimate peak spend.
Outbound transfer can dominate cloud bills when media, downloads, or APIs are heavy. VPS bundles typically include a monthly allowance, then charge overage. The calculator flags VPS overage and estimates an approximate bandwidth break-even point, helping you evaluate CDN adoption, compression, and regional egress strategies. For APIs, measure response size and request volume; even small payload reductions can compound into meaningful savings.
Managed databases, load balancers, backups, panels, and support fees represent real operational coverage. Cloud support is modeled as a percent of post-discount spend; VPS add-ons are monthly line items plus optional setup or migration. Use tax fields to align finance reporting, then compare totals over the same planning period. Finally, add a qualitative note on downtime tolerance, staffing, and recovery time, because the lowest invoice is not always the lowest risk.
Use 730 hours for always-on servers. For scheduled or batch workloads, enter expected runtime hours. If autoscaling varies, use an average instance count or run multiple scenarios.
No. It focuses on outbound transfer because it is commonly billed and drives surprises. If your provider charges inbound transfer, include it by increasing the transfer rate or adding it to managed services.
Reservations and savings plans usually target instance usage. Storage and transfer often have separate tiers or discounts. Modeling compute-only keeps assumptions transparent and avoids over-discounting other components.
Included transfer is calculated as included GB per server per month multiplied by server count. Only usage above that allowance is charged at the overage rate across the planning period.
No. Set them to zero if not applicable. If you pay premium support or must account for VAT, enter percentages to match your invoices and produce finance-ready totals.
Keep the planning period constant and adjust only one variable at a time. Compare one always-on baseline, one scaled scenario, and one high-egress scenario to understand sensitivity and risk.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.