Cloud Storage Cost Calculator
Compare two cloud storage plans against buying a local drive over multiple years — including capacity you actually need.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
5-Year TCO
Click chart to expand
Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Seats / drives
- 1
- Cost / year
- €120
- 5-Year Total
- €600
- Seats / drives
- 5
- Cost / year
- €180
- 5-Year Total
- €900
- Seats / drives
- 1
- Cost / year
- €24
- 5-Year Total
- €120
| Factor | Cloud A | Cloud B | Recommended Local Drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seats / drives | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Cost / year | €120 | €180 | €24 |
| 5-Year Total | €600 | €900 | €120 |
For 1000 GB over 5 years: Cloud A €600, Cloud B €900, local €120. Local Drive wins.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Optimistic assumptions
At stated inputs
Pessimistic assumptions
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Cloud A: 5yr across its full range. GB Needed has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on GB Needed — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome shifts meaningfully with your assumptions. Sensible, but revisit the key inputs.
Cloud A: 5yr: €720 (worst) → €600 (expected) → €510 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares two cloud subscription plans against buying (and replacing) a local drive for the storage capacity you need, over a multi-year horizon.
How the calculation works
We scale each cloud plan to cover your GB need, multiply monthly fees by years, and compare that total to local drive purchases based on drive lifespan. Cost per GB per year highlights efficiency.
Formula
Cloud Total = Monthly × 12 × ceil(GB needed / Plan GB) × Years Local Total = Drive Cost × ceil(Years / Lifespan) €/GB/yr = Annual Cost / GB needed
Example
Needing 1 TB for 5 years: a €10/mo 2 TB plan = €600; a €3/mo 200 GB plan needs 5 seats = €900; a €120 drive lasting 5 years = €120. Local often wins on pure cost; cloud wins on convenience and off-site backup.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Cloud Storage Cost Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
We scale each cloud plan to cover your GB need, multiply monthly fees by years, and compare that total to local drive purchases based on drive lifespan. Cost per GB per year highlights efficiency.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Needing 1 TB for 5 years: a €10/mo 2 TB plan = €600; a €3/mo 200 GB plan needs 5 seats = €900; a €120 drive lasting 5 years = €120. Local often wins on pure cost; cloud wins on convenience and off-site backup.
Factors to Consider
- Off-site backup vs single local point of failure
- Multi-device sync and sharing value
- Drive replacements and failure rates
- Privacy and vendor lock-in
- How fast your storage need will grow
Common Mistakes
- Comparing plan sticker prices without matching capacity
- Ignoring that small cheap plans stack when you need more space
- Forgetting local drives also need a backup strategy
- Assuming one-time drive cost lasts forever
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cloud always more expensive than a hard drive?+
Often yes over 5+ years if you only need bulk storage. Cloud becomes competitive when you value sync, sharing, and off-site redundancy — or when you would buy multiple drives for backups.
Should I use both?+
Many people do: local for large archives, cloud for critical files. This tool helps size each option so you do not overpay for either.
What about free tiers?+
Free tiers rarely cover 1 TB. If your need exceeds free space, model the paid plan you will actually buy.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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