MySQL TCO

For what its worth, the MySQL folks have a Total Cost of Ownership calculator available that is interesting (if not shocking).

Here’s a comparison to Microsoft SQL and Sybase:

	MySQL	Microsoft	Sybase
Product Line	MySQL	Microsoft SQL Server	Sybase ASE
Product Edition	Enterprise Edition (1-4 Socket Server)	Enterprise Edition	Enterprise Edition
Pricing Model	Per Server	Per Socket	Per Core
Software License (Per Unit)	$0	$27,495	$44,270
Annual Subscription, Support & Maintenance (Per Unit)	$5,000	$6,874	$9,739
Costs (see assumptions below in Customize, Notes)
Software License	$0	$439,920	$1,416,640
Subscription, Support & Maintenance (for 3 Years)	$60,000	$329,952	$934,944
Total Cost of Ownership
TCO (for 3 Years)	$60,000	$769,872	$2,351,584
TCO Savings
TCO Savings using MySQL (USD)		$709,872	$2,291,584
TCO Savings using MySQL (%)		92%	97%
Times more expensive than MySQL		12 x	39 x

You can view the working calculator here.