We often get asked “how much does Linux Support cost?” While there are several variables that affect support costs, this guide will help you understand the factors that influence the cost of Linux support services, regardless of the provider, so you can make informed decisions for your business.
Scope of Support
The scope of services you need is a major factor in pricing. Basic maintenance and monitoring, like regular updates and patching, tends to be less costly. Comprehensive management – covering proactive monitoring, security management, and custom configurations – comes at a higher price.
Some businesses choose ad hoc, or “pay-as-you-go” support for specific issues, avoiding ongoing contracts. While this may seem cost-effective for occasional needs, it often proves more expensive long-term. Without proactive maintenance and monitoring, issues are only addressed after they cause problems, which means downtime and emergency fixes. Additionally, ad hoc clients face delays, as support providers tend to prioritise contracted customers.
Tiger Computing’s indicative Linux support pricing
As a guide, ongoing Linux support typically costs £200–£500+ per server, per month, depending on the support required and the environment.
Our standard support-plan prices, before any applicable volume discount, are:
These prices are indicative and exclude VAT. Volume discounts are available, with larger server estates attracting greater discounts. We’ll confirm the appropriate support plan, scope and final price for your environment in your proposal.
Pre-Contract Check
Our Pre-Contract Check costs £495 per server. This is separate from the ongoing monthly support charge.
Ad hoc support and consultancy
Our indicative rate for ad hoc Linux support is £230–£400 per hour.
For consultancy, our standard rate is £245 per hour, although we generally prefer to quote a fixed price for an agreed piece of work. This gives you certainty over the total cost, whether the work takes us more or less time than estimated.
All prices exclude VAT. Final pricing and the scope of work will be confirmed in your proposal.
Conclusion
The cost of Linux support varies widely based on your business’s specific needs. Factors such as the scope of support, infrastructure complexity, security requirements, and the level of expertise required all play a role. Understanding these elements helps you make informed decisions that balance cost with reliability, ensuring your systems remain secure and available.
By evaluating these factors carefully, you can find a Linux support solution that meets both your operational and financial requirements.
