# Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

> Total Cost of Ownership is the full lifetime cost of a system — not just the upfront price, but licensing, hosting, integration, maintenance, support and the cost of change. It is the honest way to compare build-vs-buy options.

*Source: https://www.lazlosoftwaresolution.com/glossary/total-cost-of-ownership-tco*

Comparing options on sticker price alone is misleading; a cheap tool can be expensive to run, integrate and outgrow. TCO captures the real economics over years, which is why it anchors sound software investment decisions.