Understanding AWS EC2 Costs When Instances Are Stopped

Overview of EC2 Stopped Instances

AWS Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances are powerful and flexible resources that help run applications on the cloud. However, it is important to understand the billing implications when EC2 instances are stopped. In August 2024, we will elucidate the costs incurred with stopped instances to ensure clarity for all AWS users.

Do You Get Charged for Stopped EC2 Instances?

The primary cost associated with an EC2 instance is its running time. When an EC2 instance is stopped, it does not incur charges for the stopped period itself. This is a crucial point for many AWS users to consider as it can save costs significantly while ensuring that the application remains available on demand.

Additional Charges When EC2 Instances Are Stopped

It is important to remember that while the instance itself is not charged when it is stopped, additional costs can still apply:

Storage Costs

Even when an EC2 instance is stopped, the attached storage (such as EBS volumes) continue to incur costs if they are larger than the free tier allowance or if you have exceeded the free tier period. This means that you will be charged for the storage as long as it remains attached and in use.

IP Address Costs

A public IPv4 address is another item that can incur charges when an EC2 instance is stopped. The cost associated with the IP address continues to accumulate as long as it remains active, even if the instance itself is not running.

Reservation Costs

EC2 reservations are a commitment to pay for the instance over a certain period, regardless of usage. If you have reserved capacity that is not being used, there is no relief for the unused reservation time. These reservations are a sunk cost and cannot be refunded.

Other Costs to Consider

In addition to the above, you may also incur charges for other AWS services that are attached to your stopped instances:

Elastic IP Addresses (EIP)

Even if an EC2 instance is stopped, any Elastic IP addresses (EIP) associated with the instance can still incur charges. You will be billed for the EIP as long as it remains active and attached to the instance.

EBS Volumes and S3 Storage

Elastic Block Store (EBS) volumes and any storage in Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) that is attached to your stopped instances are additional resources that can accrue costs. Therefore, you should ensure that these resources are properly managed to prevent unnecessary charges.

For a more detailed understanding of AWS EC2 and related costs, you can visit the official AWS website or use the AWS Management Console to review and manage your resources effectively.

Setting Up Billing Alerts

To keep a close watch on your AWS bills, it is highly recommended to set up billing alerts. These notifications can alert you to high or unexpected costs, helping you to manage your budget effectively. You can configure alerts through the AWS Management Console or using AWS Budgets.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while stopped EC2 instances do not incur charges for their runtime, additional costs can arise from storage, IP addresses, reservations, and other attached resources. Understanding these costs and managing your resources effectively can help you optimize your AWS spending. To learn more, visit the official AWS documentation on EC2 or use the AWS Management Console for detailed insights.