OpenShift Virtualization vs Cozystack — 5-year TCO
Last updated: · dataset v0.2.0 · FX pinned 2026-07-01 · prices as of Q3 2026 · methodology & sources
Cozystack 5-year TCO for 200 VMs is $342,915 vs OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) $374,618, at typical negotiated prices, Q3 2026 (including one-time migration costs).
OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) vs Cozystack at default assumptions
| Scenario | OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) 5-yr TCO | Cozystack 5-yr TCO* | Savings | Cozystack unit cost | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMB — 50 VMs | $121,813 | $141,606 | −$19,792 (OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) cheaper) | $47 / VM / mo | not within horizon |
| Mid-size — 200 VMs | $374,618 | $342,915 | $31,703 (8%) | $29 / VM / mo | month 32 |
| Enterprise — 1,000 VMs | $1,278,612 | $1,514,562 | −$235,950 (OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) cheaper) | $25 / VM / mo | not within horizon |
* Cozystack total includes the one-time migration from OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) (a fixed setup plus a marginal $/VM — owner estimate, Ænix field data). Estimates only — not a quote.
Break-even
Cozystack becomes cheaper than OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) when OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) $/socket/yr exceeds $763 (current: $950) — it already does at the current value. One-time migration costs pay back in month 32.
Key facts
- OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) subscription: $950/socket/yr standard SKU, $1500/socket/yr premium SKU (OVE Standard $1,903.99 per 1–2 sockets ≤128 cores → $950/socket/yr (research/02 §3); as of 2026-Q3).
- Contract term default: 12 months (Red Hat subscriptions — annual term (§5.2)).
When to choose OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE)
- Scale below the crossover: at 50 VMs / 1000 VMs OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) is cheaper at default assumptions — the table above shows it openly.
- Hard vendor-ecosystem dependencies (ISV certifications, existing tooling and runbooks) that outweigh the cost delta.
How this is calculated
Three cost articles — software (licenses + vendor support), one-time migration and personnel. Hardware and facilities are identical on both sides and excluded; an internal sizing chain (CPU oversubscription 3:1, RAM target 85%, per-platform storage replication, N+1 HA headroom) only produces the node/core/socket counters that licenses bill against. Renewal uplifts apply only after a real renewal event inside the horizon. Default pricing basis is realized (typical negotiated) — conservative against our own headline. Every default carries a source, date and source nature; owner estimates (migration setup and $/VM, personnel days) are labeled as Ænix field data. Full methodology, formulas and the complete source list.
Frequently asked questions
How much does OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) cost for 200 VMs over 5 years?
At default assumptions (EU region, typical negotiated prices, Q3 2026) the model puts OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) at $374,618 over 5 years across the three cost articles: software (licenses + vendor support), migration (one-time, target platform only) and personnel (a days-per-month staffing model).
Is Cozystack cheaper than OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE)?
At 50 VMs: OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) is $19,792 cheaper. At 200 VMs: Cozystack is $31,703 cheaper (8%). At 1000 VMs: OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) is $235,950 cheaper. Cozystack becomes cheaper than OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) when OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) $/socket/yr exceeds $763 (current: $950) — it already does at the current value.
What does migration from OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE) to Cozystack cost?
For 200 VMs the model estimates $36,000 one-time: $8,000 of fixed setup — discovery, standing up the target, cutover design, runbook — plus 200 × $140/VM marginal (owner estimate — Ænix field data: 50 VMs ≈ $15K total). Most of a small migration is the setup, which is why cost does not scale with the estate. Professional services or training can be added via the "migration extras" input (default $0). One-time migration costs pay back in month 32.
What is included in the estimate — and what is not?
Exactly three articles: software (licenses + vendor support), one-time migration and personnel. Hardware and facilities are identical on both sides and excluded; backup, guest-OS licensing, DR/second site, GPU and security tooling are excluded uniformly. Full formulas and every source are on the methodology page.
How are OpenShift support tiers priced in the model?
OpenShift Virtualization Engine support runs through SKU switching: Standard ($950/socket/yr list) to Premium ($1,500/socket/yr list). Mission-critical maps to the maximum vendor tier with an explicit status — never a silent downgrade.
Is Cozystack ready for regulated industries compared to OpenShift?
OpenShift carries a broader certification portfolio today. The calculator shows compliance-related gaps for both platforms when the "Regulated industry" toggle is on, and prices the hardening one-time separately.