Cost.md

+**Disclaimer:** Due to how snapshot creation **currently** integrates with the GitLab installation (1 image for all different VM roles), and the inability to make VMs smaller than the original snapshot, the **minimum** size for **any** VM is `s-2vcpu-4gb` or `t3a.medium` which is roughly 20$ a month. It is an urget goal to provide better customization allowing for smaller image sizes outside of those not utilizing GitLab (GitLab only runs on the 'admin' machine).  
+
+---
+
+**Cloud provider cost breakdown**
+
+|  | AWS | Digital Ocean |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| S3 Storage | $0.023 per GB | $.02 per GB ($5 for 250GB upfront) |
+| Network | Out - $0.09 per GB | Out - 1TB per 1GB machine free |
+| Machine 4GB | $0.0416/hr ~ $20/month | $20 |
+| Machine 8GB | $0.0832/hr ~ $40-45/month | $40 |
+
+
+**Rough estimate per month**
+
+|  | AWS | Digital Ocean |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| 1 Node w/ Gitlab| Min $40 +Network +Storage | ~$45 |
+| 3 Node w/ Gitlab | Min $80 +Network +Storage | ~$85 |
+| 1 Node w/o Gitlab | Min $20 +Network +Storage| ~$25|
+| 3 Node w/o Gitlab | Min $60 +Network +Storage | ~$65 |
+
+Things to consider when choosing a cloud provider:
+- Digital Ocean network out is essentially free as you get 1TB out free per 1GB, meaning a 4GB machine gets 4TB and 8GB machine gets 8 TB. 8GB + 4GB + 4GB = 16TB free.
+
+- Network costs add up **fast**. If you plan to host Docker Images yourself your best bet would be going with Digital Ocean or checking out [Amazon's ECR](https://aws.amazon.com/ecr/pricing/) if you must use AWS (in the case you aren't going to utilize GitLab).  
+
+- Both providers offer **free** data _**transfer within**_ the same region/datacenter amongst their services.  
+
+- Both providers offer **free** data transfer _**in**_.  
+
+- AWS and Digital Ocean **storage** are roughly the same price however Digital Ocean requires $5 upfront. ($0.2 x 250GB = $5) 
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