Self-hosting break-even: $23/month of SaaS, a $170 mini PC, about 9 months

Описание и применение

Мини‑ПК за $170 с потреблением 15 Вт позволяет сократить ежемесячные расходы на SaaS с $22,97 до $7,30, что приводит к экономии $15,67 в месяц и окупаемости за 9 месяцев.

Задача

Deciding whether self-hosting services can offset SaaS subscription costs and when it pays off.

Результат

A $170 mini PC with 15W idle draw and modest backup/maintenance costs reduces monthly SaaS spend from $22.97 to $7.30, yielding a $15.67 monthly saving and a 9‑month break‑even. Higher‑cost hardware (e.g., $800 server for $10/month storage) never pays back within the chosen 5‑year lifetime.

Рабочий процесс

• 1. Identify SaaS services and monthly costs.
• 2. Choose self-hosting hardware and estimate power draw.
• 3. Input electricity rate, maintenance, backup costs into calculator.
• 4. Run calculator to get monthly savings and break-even period.
• 5. Review ongoing monthly costs and compare to SaaS savings.
• 6. Decide whether to purchase hardware based on break-even and lifetime.
• 7. If proceeding, set up chosen self-hosted services (e.g., Vaultwarden, Jellyfin, Uptime Kuma, Immich).

Доказательства

Replacing $23/month in SaaS subscriptions (Google One 2TB + 1Password + Plex Pass) with a $170 mini PC drawing 15W idle breaks even in about 9 months.

Источник

On the $170 box the ongoing costs come to about $4.50/month (electricity $2.01, maintenance $1.25, off-site backup $1.20).

Источник