Total Cost of Ownership Analysis

Comparing costs between open-source and commercial tools requires comprehensive analysis beyond license fees. Open-source tools eliminate licensing costs but require significant time investment for deployment, configuration, and maintenance. Calculate the full cost of engineering time spent managing open-source tools, including initial setup, ongoing updates, and troubleshooting. Many organizations underestimate these operational costs when choosing open-source solutions.

Infrastructure costs vary significantly between deployment models. Open-source tools typically require self-hosting, meaning organizations must provision and maintain servers, databases, and supporting infrastructure. Cloud hosting costs for scanning infrastructure can reach thousands of dollars monthly for large organizations. Commercial SaaS solutions eliminate infrastructure management but charge per user, application, or scan volume. Carefully model costs based on your expected usage patterns.

Hidden costs often emerge during implementation and operation. Open-source tools might require custom development for enterprise features like single sign-on or API integration. Commercial tools might charge extra for premium features, professional services, or additional scan capacity. Consider costs for training, documentation development, and potential consulting services. Factor in opportunity costs – time spent managing tools versus improving application security.