Flexera’s Meta Parent: Azure Rightsize Compute Instances policy identifies cost-saving opportunities by recommending optimal virtual machine (VM) sizes based on usage patterns.

Some users may notice differences between the savings shown in Flexera and those calculated using the Azure Pricing Calculator.

This article explains why these differences occur and how to interpret the savings data accurately.

Why the estimates differ

The difference in savings estimates arises because Flexera’s policy calculation includes not only the virtual machine (compute) cost, but also associated license costs such as SQL Server or Remote Desktop Services (RDS). These license costs are factored into Flexera’s savings recommendations.

In contrast, the Azure Pricing Calculator typically reflects only compute costs, excluding license-related charges. As a result, Flexera may show a higher savings potential because it provides a more comprehensive view of cost optimization, including both infrastructure and licensing components.