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How much does it cost to invest in the cloud? A complete guide to pricing and cost optimization
1. Introduction
Migrating to the cloud is often seen as a natural step for companies that want to scale efficiently. And it is, as long as costs are under control.
However, in practice, this is not always the case. Many businesses only discover after migrating that the cloud environment requires more than just modern infrastructure: it demands a financial strategy. A recent Gartner study shows that 69% of organizations face budget overruns with cloud computing, which directly compromises the performance of digital investments.
The point is that it's not about abandoning the cloud, but about mastering its variables : understanding billing models, predicting exchange rate fluctuations, identifying waste, and applying good governance practices.
Therefore, in this guide, we have gathered everything you need to know to make safer decisions , extract maximum productivity from the cloud, and avoid financial surprises. At Skyone , we believe that the cloud should be a lever for growth , and the goal of this content is to show you how to put that into practice.
Enjoy your reading!
Cloud computing is often associated with freedom: scaling, optimizing, integrating, and innovating without the constraints of traditional infrastructure . But all freedom comes with responsibility, especially financial responsibility.
What many companies only discover after migrating is that the cloud, by itself, is not synonymous with savings . Without governance, visibility, management, and a minimum control structure, costs can escalate unpredictably, directly affecting the performance of investments.
Migrating to the cloud without a strategy is like taking a race car to the track without fine-tuning: you may have power, but you don't have control . Real performance comes from precision, something that is only possible when every variable in the system is calibrated. It is precisely this type of care that separates the cloud that delivers value from the one that only consumes resources.
Understanding costs means seeing beyond the bill. It means mastering different billing models, anticipating exchange rate variations, identifying hidden waste, and applying FinOps best practices. And more: it mainly means making decisions based on data and not on assumptions. This is where the game changes: transforming the cloud into a strategic asset, not a difficult-to-decipher expense .
But what exactly makes the cloud more expensive than expected? What technical and operational elements directly affect your bill, and where are the biggest opportunities for adjustment? That's what we'll explore next.
When well managed, the cloud can be one of the most powerful infrastructures for generating efficiency and scale . But, like any versatile technology, it requires mastery. And in this case, mastery means understanding where and why costs arise.
While in the traditional ( on-premise ) model costs are fixed and often inflated by idle capacity, in the cloud everything depends on usage . And it is precisely this flexibility that, without management, transforms into financial risk.
The logic is similar to that of a race car : performance depends not only on power, but on how each adjustment is made. Fuel, tires, telemetry, real-time decisions—everything counts. In the cloud, it works the same way: each choice of architecture, configuration, and pricing model directly influences the efficiency and final cost of the operation .
To better understand this, below we will see the main points that directly influence how much (and how) your company pays for the cloud.
3.1. Pricing models: pay-as-you-go , instance reservation, and hybrids
The pricing model determines how you pay for the cloud, and how you can save money. The three main formats are:
- Pay-as-you-go : you only pay for what you consume. It's flexible, but it can generate unexpected spikes if there's no control.
- Reserved instances : offer lower rates for those who commit to continuous use for defined periods. They require planning.
- Hybrid models : combine predictability and adaptability, but require mature management.
A common mistake? Migrating from the data center to the cloud without redesigning the architecture—the famous lift-and-shift . This carries inefficiencies over to an environment where costs are variable and penalizes poorly calibrated consumption . The result: increasing costs and a low return on investment.
3.2. Data storage and transfer
Storage itself is usually competitively priced. However, data movement (between availability zones, geographic regions, or different services) can generate recurring charges .
In environments with multiple integrated systems (such as ERPs, CRMs, and BI tools), movement between services is constant. Without data architecture planning, silently
increasing costs The most critical aspect? Many of these expenses are not clearly shown in the providers' standard reports, making it even more difficult to identify the root of the problem.
3.3. Computing costs (CPU, GPU, TPUs)
Cloud computing is the engine of the cloud, and like any high-performance engine, it demands attention.
Companies that handle complex workloads (such as machine learning , customer service automation, and real-time analytics) use machines with high processing capacity , such as CPUs (central processing units), GPUs (graphics units), and TPUs (units optimized for machine learning).
These resources are expensive per hour. And when they are active outside of operating hours, or underutilized, they generate waste that is difficult to track . This is where practices such as provisioning automation, scheduled shutdowns, and intelligent scalability come in, reducing costs without affecting operations .
3.4. Cloud computing in Brazil and its challenges
In Brazil, cloud costs depend not only on technical consumption but also on the macroeconomic scenario . One of the biggest challenges faced by companies that contract international providers is currency fluctuation .
A large portion of the services offered by players (such as Oracle, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) are priced in dollars . This means that even a well-optimized and stable environment can generate budget surprises when there are currency fluctuations.
This instability directly affects areas such as accounting, purchasing, and IT, hindering financial planning and cash flow predictability. In a scenario where the exchange rate can vary significantly from one quarter to the next, maintaining cost control becomes even more challenging .
In this context, solutions that offer fixed pricing in Brazilian Real (R$) become strategic . They protect the company's budget against volatility and ensure greater peace of mind in decision-making, something fundamental for those who need to scale confidently without being surprised at the end of the month.
Understanding these factors is the first step to intelligently mastering cloud costs. But knowing how much you're paying isn't enough: you need to understand where and with whom to invest . Below, we explore how the main providers position themselves and what changes, in practice, between each approach.
Understanding what constitutes cloud costs is important, but that alone is not enough. The next step involves evaluating the options available on the market. After all, although the general pricing logic is similar among the major players , each has particularities that directly impact predictability and how costs evolve over time.
Like in motorsports, where teams operate under the same regulations but adopt different strategies to gain a competitive advantage , in the cloud universe, choosing the right provider involves knowing the details—and aligning that with business objectives.
Below, we explore the factors that differentiate the offerings of providers such as Oracle, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, and how these variations impact companies with different maturity and operational profiles.
4.1. What is the best choice for each type of company?
The answer to this question isn't in the technical specifications of the platforms, but rather in the reality of each operation .
Companies with a structured mature financial management , and experience with complex can take advantage of the flexibility offered by large providers. In this scenario, resources such as machine learning , multicloud , and advanced customizations make sense and can be well utilized.
On the other hand, businesses that prioritize cost predictability, close support, and structured growth find better results in models that offer billing in local currency, shared governance, specialists dedicated to operations and continuous optimization, and maturity diagnosis and ongoing strategic guidance.
In practice, the most efficient cloud is not necessarily the most sophisticated , but the one that best keeps pace with the evolution of your business with security and control.
4.2. Why does the Skyone model offer more predictability?
For companies operating in Brazil, predictable cloud costs are more than an advantage: they're a strategic necessity . As we've seen, when billing is tied to the dollar, even a well-managed environment can become unstable due to external factors such as currency fluctuations.
It was precisely by understanding this challenge that, at Skyone , we developed a pricing model in Brazilian Real (R$), ensuring stability in financial planning and eliminating last-minute surprises on the bill .
But the predictability we deliver goes beyond currency. It's also in how we structure our operations with our clients:
- We work with a cloud platform that offers all the necessary resources for managing auto-scaling, performance, stability, and cutting-edge security, at a predictable and without surprises .
- We work with shared governance , which means that no infrastructure decisions are made blindly;
- We work with a close and specialized technical team that monitors the environment in real time and proposes improvements based on data;
- We begin every journey with a maturity assessment to understand where the company is and where it can sustainably go.
- We also apply structured FinOps practices across leading cloud providers, focusing on preventing unnecessary cost increases as the business scales.
Our goal is not just to offer cloud services, but to offer control, efficiency, and security for growth.
Just like in a professional race, it's not just the engine that guarantees performance . It's the behind-the-scenes strategy, the real-time adjustments, and the fine-tuning with the team that make the difference. That's the role we assume with each client: to be the partner that anticipates scenarios and transforms infrastructure into real results !
Reducing cloud costs goes beyond shutting down resources or renegotiating contracts. It involves rethinking how infrastructure is used, monitored, and adjusted —continuously, intelligently, and strategically.
Managing this process manually can be laborious, imprecise, and prone to errors. This is where a robust platform and a specialized technical team come in. When operations are supported by a solution that abstracts the complexity of the infrastructure , the company can optimize costs without directly dealing with technical requirements, currency fluctuations, or constant operational adjustments.
At Skyone , in addition to the platform, we offer a technical team with agnostic performance—that is, without ties to a single provider or technology . This allows us to propose tailor-made solutions , based on the reality of each client, with a total focus on results. Our team has experience with various cloud architectures and environments, which guarantees a broad and strategic vision, without commercial or technical bias.
This approach, combined with good governance and financial management practices (such as FinOps), is what makes it possible to transform the cloud into an efficient, controlled, and scalable operation . See below for more details.
5.1. What is FinOps: the discipline of financial management in the cloud
FinOps (short for Cloud Financial Operations ) is the practice of uniting technical and financial areas to optimize cloud usage . The logic is simple: you can only control what you understand, and you can only improve what you measure.
Thus, the discipline is based on three pillars :
- Visibility : understanding in detail what is being used, by whom, and for what purpose;
- Governance : assigning costs to the correct teams or areas, promoting a culture of conscious use;
- Continuous optimization : identifying opportunities for adjustments, automation, and constant improvements based on real data.
In practice, this means not only "cutting costs," but preventing costs from growing as the business expands —what we call cost avoidance.
This approach requires processes, tools, and, above all, technical expertise to translate consumption into business decisions.
5.2. How Skyone helps reduce cloud costs by up to 40%
At Skyone , FinOps is part of the delivery. Our goal is not just to support the infrastructure, but to ensure that it is operating at its best possible cost-benefit ratio . To achieve this, we apply a series of practices integrated into the customer journey:
- Technical and financial maturity assessment to understand the company's current stage and identify areas for improvement;
- Tagging and traceability of consumption , to map exactly where the biggest cost centers are;
- Automated provisioning, intelligent shutdown, and instance reconfiguration to eliminate waste;
- Simulations and growth forecasts prevent the environment from scaling uncontrollably.
With this approach, we are able to deliver cost reductions of 10% to 40% in cloud services , depending on the cloud platform used by the client, without compromising performance or security. In other words, more than just savings, what we offer is consistency for controlled growth!
Just like in a race team, it's not enough to cross the finish line: you have to do it in the shortest time possible, with the least amount of wear and tear, and making the most of every resource . This is the philosophy that guides our daily work: transforming the complexity of the cloud into a real competitive advantage.
If your company is looking for greater efficiency, predictability, and performance in the cloud, talking to one of our specialists could be the next strategic step! We are ready to understand your reality, diagnose opportunities, and together build a cloud environment that truly keeps pace with the ambition of your business.
Investing in the cloud represents a significant milestone for companies seeking greater agility, scalability, and efficiency. However, as we've seen throughout this guide, achieving these benefits requires more than just contracting infrastructure: it demands a strategic vision of where costs lie, how they behave, and which practices truly support long-term growth.
Understanding different pricing models, evaluating the offerings of major providers, identifying opportunities for adjustment, and applying methodologies like FinOps are essential steps to transform the cloud into an ally , not just an expense in the budget.
Every choice made in this environment directly reflects on the financial and operational health of the business. And the sooner these decisions are structured, the greater the potential return.
If you enjoyed this guide and want to continue following trends, analyses, and best practices in the cloud universe, follow the Skyone blog ! We are always bringing practical and up-to-date content for those who want to make decisions with more confidence and a future-oriented vision.
Migrating to the cloud is an increasingly common decision among companies seeking scalability, flexibility, and innovation. But with so many variables involved (such as billing models, resource consumption, exchange rates, governance), clearly understanding the costs has become a strategic challenge.
Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions about cloud investments : from what actually impacts the bill to how to calculate return on investment (ROI) and optimize spending without sacrificing performance.
1) What are the main factors that influence the cost of the cloud?
The main factors are: the pricing model adopted (such as pay-as-you-go , reserved instances, or hybrid), the volume of data storage and transfer, the use of processing resources (such as CPUs, GPUs, and TPUs), security and compliance , and, in Brazil, exchange rate fluctuations. Poorly planned architectures and a lack of governance also contribute significantly to increased costs.
2) How can I reduce cloud computing costs without compromising performance?
It's possible to optimize costs without sacrificing performance by applying practices such as: automatic shutdown of unused instances, provisioning automation, correct instance type selection, demand-based scaling, and intelligent storage usage. The FinOps discipline also helps make data-driven decisions, ensuring operational and financial efficiency.
3) Which cloud provider offers the best value for money?
It depends on the maturity and needs of the company. Oracle, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer robust solutions, but they charge in dollars, which can create instability for Brazilian companies. Models like Skyone's, with pricing in reais and continuous technical support, deliver greater predictability and efficiency for companies seeking financial control and sustainable growth.
4) How do I calculate the ROI of the cloud for my company?
The ROI (return on investment) in cloud computing can be calculated by comparing operational gains (such as increased productivity, scalability, reduced downtime , and agility) with the total costs involved (infrastructure, support, migration, and management). The challenge is to also include avoided costs, that is, the waste that is prevented due to efficient practices.
5) What tools help in controlling and optimizing costs in the cloud?
There are several native tools from the providers themselves (such as AWS Cost Explorer, Azure Cost Management, Google Cloud Billing, and Oracle Cloud Cost Estimator), in addition to specialized FinOps solutions. Furthermore, platforms with shared management, such as Skyone's, offer technical and strategic support to identify waste, project growth, and ensure intelligent resource utilization.
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