Instance Comparison Tool
Compare two cloud instances on cost per vCPU and per GB of RAM, not just hourly price, to find the better value. Calculates in your browser.
Better value per vCPU
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Show the math
Each instance's monthly cost is divided by its vCPUs and its RAM to compare value, not just price:
cost / vCPU = (rate × 730) ÷ vCPU
The cheaper instance per hour isn't always better value, a larger one can cost less per vCPU or per GB. Match the winner to what your workload actually needs (CPU-bound or memory-bound). Calculated entirely in your browser.
What this does
An instance comparison tool compares two cloud instances on cost per vCPU and per GB of RAM, not just hourly price.
How to use it
- Enter each instance’s rate, vCPUs and RAM.
- Read cost per vCPU and per GB.
- Pick the better value for your workload.
How it works
A lower hourly price is not always the better deal — a larger instance can cost less per vCPU or per GB. Weigh per-vCPU for CPU-bound work.
cost per unit = (rate × 730) ÷ vCPUs or GB
Understanding your result
The point is that the cheapest hourly price is rarely the best value: a larger instance often costs less per vCPU or per GB of RAM. Compare on the unit that matches your workload, per-vCPU for compute-bound jobs, per-GB for memory-bound ones, and factor in that consolidating onto fewer larger instances can also cut licensing and management overhead.
Example
A larger instance can beat a smaller one on cost per vCPU despite a higher hourly price.
Sources & methodology
Last updated .
Frequently asked questions
How are instances compared?
Each instance’s monthly cost (rate × 730 hours) is divided by its vCPUs and by its RAM, giving cost per vCPU and per GB. Lower figures mean better value for that resource.
Why not just pick the cheaper one?
The lower hourly price is not always the better deal, a larger instance can cost less per vCPU or per GB. Comparing per-unit cost shows which gives more compute or memory for the money.
Which metric should I use?
Match it to your workload: weigh cost per vCPU for CPU-bound work and cost per GB for memory-bound work.
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