Definition
Cloud egress fee: A per gigabyte charge for data leaving a cloud region, leaving the cloud provider to the public internet, or crossing certain network boundaries. Ingress (data flowing into the cloud) is generally free. Egress is metered. Falls under the broader cloud data transfer pricing category. Tied to commitment vehicles such as AWS EDP, MACC, and Google Cloud CUDs.
Three egress paths exist. Internet egress (data to public IP outside the cloud) is the most expensive and most negotiated. Inter region egress (data between two regions of the same provider) is cheaper but still metered. Inter Availability Zone egress within a region is the lightest charge, often a fraction of a cent per GB. Ingress is free at all three providers under standard contracts.
The EU Data Act, effective January 2024, requires cloud providers to offer free egress when customers fully exit a provider. This narrowed the lock in mechanism for exit scenarios but did not change the per GB rate for ongoing operations. Mature FinOps programs treat egress as a top three optimization target because it carries the highest margin and the most negotiation leverage. See the cloud cost management definition for the savings ladder.
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Egress benchmark by provider
From our 2024 and 2025 sample of enterprise cloud contracts: AWS internet egress list runs 9 cents per GB in US regions falling to 5 cents at 150 TB monthly volume. Negotiated EDP rates land at 2.5 to 4 cents for buyers committing over 10M annually, and as low as 1.5 cents for 30M plus committed buyers. Azure list runs 8.7 cents falling on a similar volume curve, with MACC negotiated rates at 2 to 3.5 cents. Google Cloud list is the highest at 12 cents falling to 8 cents at volume, with CUD plus custom rate cards landing at 2.5 to 4.5 cents for committed buyers. Methodology: NDA contract data, 2024 to 2025 deal vintages.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cloud egress fee?
A cloud egress fee is a per gigabyte charge applied when data leaves a cloud region or leaves the cloud provider entirely to the public internet. List prices in 2026 sit at 5 to 9 cents per GB at AWS and Azure, 8 to 12 cents per GB at Google Cloud, with steep volume tiers for committed buyers.
Why is egress so expensive?
Cloud providers price egress as a lock in mechanism. The actual underlying network cost is a fraction of a cent per GB at scale, which is why hyperscaler margin on data transfer is among the highest in their service portfolio. In 2024 the EU Data Act required free egress when customers exit a cloud provider.
How do enterprises negotiate egress?
Three levers work. First, commit to an AWS EDP, MACC, or Google CUD with a custom egress rate; mature buyers cut list to 1.5 to 3 cents per GB at high volume. Second, use Direct Connect, ExpressRoute, or Cloud Interconnect. Third, architect around egress.
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