Private Cloud TCO Calculator: Cozystack vs VMware, Nutanix & 8 Alternatives [2026]
Last updated: · dataset v0.2.0 · FX pinned 2026-07-01 · prices as of Q3 2026 · methodology & sources
Compare the 5-year total cost of ownership of a Cozystack private cloud against 10 on-prem platforms — VMware, Nutanix, OpenShift, Proxmox, OpenStack, CloudStack, OpenNebula, Virtuozzo, Harvester and Rancher — with a public methodology and a source on every number, including the cases where the competitor is cheaper.
All 10 platforms vs Cozystack — 200 VMs, 5 years, default assumptions
| Platform | Platform 5-yr TCO | Cozystack 5-yr TCO* | Savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VMware VCF | $1,124,837 | $342,915 | $781,922 (70%) | month 1 |
| Nutanix NCI Pro | $729,445 | $342,915 | $386,530 (53%) | month 1 |
| OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) | $374,618 | $342,915 | $31,703 (8%) | month 32 |
| Virtuozzo Hybrid Infrastructure | $861,429 | $342,915 | $518,513 (60%) | month 1 |
| Proxmox VE | $533,514 | $342,915 | $190,598 (36%) | month 10 |
| OpenStack (self-managed) | $467,569 | $342,915 | $124,653 (27%) | month 14 |
| Apache CloudStack | $405,976 | $342,915 | $63,061 (16%) | month 22 |
| OpenNebula | $393,324 | $342,915 | $50,408 (13%) | month 25 |
| Harvester (SUSE) | $395,581 | $342,915 | $52,666 (13%) | month 25 |
| Rancher (+ Harvester) | $332,646 | $224,315 | $108,331 (33%) | month 8 |
* Including one-time migration from that platform. Estimates only — not a quote. Each comparison page shows the break-even and the inputs at which the other platform comes out cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
How does this TCO calculator work?
Pick a scenario (50 / 200 / 1,000 VMs or custom), up to three competitors and a region. The model prices exactly three articles: software (licences + vendor support from sourced data), one-time migration (a fixed setup plus a marginal $/VM) and personnel (a days-per-month staffing model). Hardware and facilities are identical on both sides and excluded. Every default shows its source, date and source nature.
Does Cozystack always win?
No. At the default 200-VM scenario in the table above, Cozystack comes out cheaper than all ten platforms, by the widest margin where per-core licensing dominates (VMware VCF, Nutanix) and by the narrowest against low-cost open-source support subscriptions. At other scenarios — 50 or 1,000 VMs — and with your own inputs, some platforms come out cheaper, and the calculator shows that result as it is. Each comparison page states the break-even.
Where do the prices come from?
Vendor list prices, third-party reported street prices (always labeled), and derived estimates — each figure carries its source and date, pinned to Q3 2026 with dataset v0.2.0. Found an inaccuracy? We correct within 10 business days.
Can I get the result as a document?
Yes — the calculator exports a PDF with the full breakdown, a diff of everything you changed against defaults, a sensitivity analysis and the complete source appendix. No email required to see results.
All comparisons
- VMware vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO and exit cost
- Proxmox vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO comparison
- OpenShift Virtualization vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- Nutanix vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO with quote sensitivity
- OpenStack vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO and ops staffing
- Apache CloudStack vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- OpenNebula vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- Virtuozzo vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- SUSE Harvester vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- Rancher (with Harvester) vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
- Methodology, formulas and sources