Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Total cost of ownership (TCO) is the real, all-in cost of a solution over a set period, not just the sticker price, but the licenses, professional services, hosting, training, and ongoing upkeep added together. It's the number that tells you what something actually costs to live with.

This is why "free" open source software isn't necessarily cheaper, and an expensive license isn't necessarily pricier. When comparing options, agree on the timespan up front so each one is measured over the same period.