Analysis·
Microsoft 365 vs. Open Source – The Big Cost Comparison for SMEs
What does Microsoft 365 really cost? We calculate what SMEs with 20 employees can save by switching to open source.
Microsoft 365 vs. Open Source – The Big Cost Comparison for SMEs
Many SMEs pay for Microsoft software without knowing the true total cost. We do the maths.
What Does Microsoft 365 Really Cost?
For a company with 20 employees using Microsoft 365 Business Premium:
| Item | Cost/Month | Cost/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Business Premium (20 × €26) | €520 | €6,240 |
| Windows 11 Pro licences (one-off, amortised) | — | €3,200 |
| SharePoint storage (add-on) | €40 | €480 |
| Microsoft Teams Phone (optional) | €60 | €720 |
| Total | ~€620 | ~€10,640 |
That's over €10,000 per year — and prices rise annually.
What Does Open Source Cost?
With europioneer you migrate to a transparent model:
| Item | Cost/Month | Cost/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu Linux (free) | €0 | €0 |
| ONLYOFFICE (free) | €0 | €0 |
| Nextcloud (self-hosted, Hetzner) | €30 | €360 |
| Matrix/Element (self-hosted) | €15 | €180 |
| EteSync (self-hosted) | €10 | €120 |
| Total running costs | €55 | €660 |
Savings: approximately €9,980 per year.
ROI Calculation
Assuming you choose our Professional package (€14,900 one-off cost):
- Year 1: €14,900 (migration) + €660 (operations) − €10,640 (saved Microsoft costs) = Net additional cost: €4,920
- From Year 2: €9,980 savings per year
- Break-even: Mid Year 2
- Savings after 5 years: ~€40,000
Hidden Benefits
Beyond the direct savings, you also benefit from:
- GDPR compliance: No data on US servers, no CLOUD Act risk
- Full control: No vendor lock-in, no forced updates
- Transparency: Open-source code is auditable
- Independence: No price increases imposed by third parties
Conclusion
Switching to open source is economically sound and strategically smart. europioneer makes migration simple, secure, and predictable.