# VPC Pricing in 2026: NAT, VPN, IP and Data Transfer Costs

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/managed-services/vpc-pricing-in-2026-nat-vpn-ip-and-data-transfer-costs/ | Published: 2026-10-21 | Updated: 2026-10-16 | Author: Dr. Assad Abbas

VPC pricing depends on how your cloud network is configured and which services it uses. A virtual private cloud (VPC) provides an organization with a logically isolated network for its cloud resources, with control over how those resources communicate and connect to external networks.

Network address translation (NAT), virtual private networks (VPNs), public IP addresses, and data transfer are key considerations when estimating that environment’s cost. The relevant charges depend on the provider, the services selected, and the routes application traffic takes.

This guide explains how VPC networking fits into Atlantic.Net’s services, then examines Amazon VPC pricing in detail. The AWS sections break down NAT, VPN, endpoint, IP address, and data transfer costs in 2026, with examples to help you estimate monthly charges and identify practical cost opportunities.

# VPC Networking At Atlantic.Net

At Atlantic.Net, our [Virtual Private Cloud service](https://www.atlantic.net/cloud-platform/virtual-private-cloud/) provides logically isolated networking on the Atlantic.Net Cloud. We manage the VPC network and configure it around your requirements, with options for managed firewall protection, private routing, and VPN connectivity.

For example, we can connect your office network to your cloud environment through a VPN. Configurations can support controlled public access or keep cloud servers separated from the public network.

Service scope matters when comparing costs. Check which network management, connectivity, IP addressing, and data transfer charges are included in each provider’s estimate. The following sections focus on Amazon VPC, so their service names, rates, and billing rules apply specifically to AWS.

## Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) Pricing Overview

Amazon VPC pricing covers networking services and data movement, while creating the VPC itself has no separate fee. For example, NAT gateways, VPN connections, public IPv4 addresses, and interface endpoints each have their own billing model. These networking charges are additional to the cost of Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) instances, databases, and other resources hosted in the VPC.

Since service rates can differ between AWS Regions, cost calculations should use prices for the intended deployment location. Also, record hourly charges separately from data processing and data transfer fees. This distinction helps identify whether a cost arises from keeping a resource provisioned or from the traffic it handles.

## Components of VPC Networking Costs

Using VPC networking services can result in hourly resource charges for processing or transferring data. For example, when an application sends data to the internet through a public NAT gateway, AWS charges for the hours the gateway is provisioned and the data it processes. In addition, the gateway’s public IPv4 address is billed separately, and outbound data transfer may add another expense.

Processing and transfer fees can apply to the same traffic, but they are calculated differently. The processing fee depends on how much data passes through the gateway. In contrast, transfer charges depend on the amount of data, its route, and its destination. To calculate the monthly total, these traffic charges must be added to the applicable hourly charges for the gateway and its public IPv4 address.

## Data Transfer Charges And Traffic Patterns

For Amazon EC2 instances, traffic using private IP addresses within the same Availability Zone (AZ) generally has no data transfer charge. Traffic crossing AZ boundaries may incur cost even when both resources are in the same AWS Region. The applicable rate depends on the services and connection path involved.

For example, an application accessing an Amazon RDS database in another AZ may incur transfer charges for its requests and responses. In contrast, replication between the primary database and its standby in a standard RDS Multi-AZ deployment is priced differently. Application traffic and database replication should be assessed separately.

AZ boundaries also affect VPC peering costs. Although peering provides private communication between VPCs, it does not make every transfer free. Traffic crossing AZ boundaries within one Region may incur regional transfer charges, while traffic between Regions uses the applicable inter-Region rates. Before estimating these expenses, the rates for both traffic directions and any service-specific exceptions should be checked against [Amazon EC2 data transfer pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/pricing/on-demand/#Data_Transfer).

For VPC peering connections, the assessment should distinguish traffic within the same Region from traffic sent between Regions. Although both use private connections, their data transfer rates may differ according to the AZs and Regions involved.

## Example Of Internet Data Transfer Costs

Suppose an application sends 500 GB of data to the internet during a month. If the AWS account’s full 100 GB monthly allowance is unused, you’re billed for 400 GB. At an applicable rate of $0.09 per GB, the calculation is:

*Data transfer cost = (500 − 100) × $0.09 = $36.00*

The example assumes that no other traffic has used the allowance. Since the allowance is shared across eligible AWS services and Regions, other usage could increase the billable amount. It does not apply in China or GovCloud Regions.

## NAT Gateway Costs

A public NAT gateway provides outbound IPv4 internet access for private-subnet resources, so they can reach the internet without accepting unsolicited inbound connections through that gateway. Its monthly cost includes charges for the time it is provisioned and the data it processes. To reduce either expense, check gateway usage and the routes application traffic takes.

This internet connectivity also requires an internet gateway. Route tables direct traffic from the NAT gateway’s public subnet to the internet gateway and from private subnets to the NAT gateway. Route tables and internet gateways do not have separate feature charges. The cost estimate must distinguish the NAT gateway charges from any charges for its public address and outbound data.

## Hourly And Data Processing Charges

The hourly charge applies while the gateway is provisioned, even when traffic is low. Processing fees are additional and apply to data passing through the gateway, including requests and responses.

At the US East (Ohio) rates of *$0.045* per hour and *$0.045* per GB, one gateway operating for 730 hours and processing 200 GB costs:

- **Gateway hours:** 730 × $0.045 = $32.85
- **Data processing:** 200 × $0.045 = $9.00

Here, 730 hours represents an assumed month, and the 200 GB of data processed includes traffic in both directions.

The NAT gateway subtotal is *$41.85*, excluding public IPv4 and applicable transfer charges. If two zonal gateways operate for the same period, their combined hourly charge increases to *$65.70* before processing fees. Rates for the intended Region should be checked against [Amazon VPC pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/vpc/pricing/).NATt Gateways Versus NAT Instances

A NAT instance may have a lower direct cost, but it requires EC2 capacity, storage, and administration. Unlike a managed NAT gateway, the organization must maintain updates and recovery arrangements for the instance. The cost assessment should include staff time and AWS charges.

## Gateway Placement

The location of a zonal NAT gateway also affects the bill. A single NAT gateway can be a lower-cost option for development or simple startup workloads, but applications using a gateway in another Availability Zone may incur cross-AZ data transfer charges in addition to NAT data processing charges. Both expenses should be included in the estimate.

Placing a gateway in each application zone avoids this cross-AZ traffic path but increases gateway-hour charges. The choice should balance the combined costs with the application’s availability requirements, since production designs often maintain one NAT gateway per Availability Zone. At the same time, the lower-cost single-gateway approach can add cross-AZ transfer charges.

## VPN Pricing

AWS provides VPN connections to link external networks to AWS and give individual users remote access. Since these services have different billing models, Site-to-Site VPN and Client VPN need separate cost estimates.

## AWS Site-To-Site VPN And Client VPN

AWS Site-to-Site VPN connects an external network, such as an office network, to AWS. The connection incurs an hourly charge while provisioned. For example, at the US East (Ohio) rate of $0.05 per hour, a standard connection costs 730 × $0.05 = $36.50 over an assumed 730-hour month.

This amount covers only connection hours. To calculate the monthly total, applicable data transfer charges and public IPv4 charges for the tunnel endpoints must also be added. If the connection uses a Transit Gateway, you pay additional charges. The selected VPN option also affects the estimate. Higher-bandwidth connections have different hourly rates, while accelerated connections incur additional acceleration charges, as listed under [AWS VPN pricing](https://aws.amazon.com/vpn/pricing/).

In contrast, AWS Client VPN provides remote access for individual users and uses a different billing model. For a subnet-based deployment, you are charged for endpoint association hours even when no users are connected. Active user connection hours are billed separately. The monthly estimate must include both charges, together with applicable data transfer fees and public IPv4 charges for the tunnel addresses.

## VPC Endpoint Pricing

VPC endpoints provide private access to supported services without sending that traffic through the public internet. Since these connections can bypass a NAT gateway, they may reduce NAT processing charges. The cost depends on whether gateway endpoints or interface endpoints are used.

Gateway endpoints are available for Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), an object storage service, and Amazon DynamoDB, a managed NoSQL database service. These endpoints have no additional hourly or data processing fee. Organizations can deploy gateway endpoints to avoid NAT processing charges for traffic sent to these services, and private-subnet DynamoDB traffic can go directly over the AWS network instead of through a NAT gateway. The underlying storage, request, and applicable transfer charges still apply.

For most AWS services, the S3 and DynamoDB gateway-endpoint model is not available. Instead, you can access supported services through interface endpoints, which create network interfaces in selected subnets. Unlike gateway endpoints, interface endpoints generally incur hourly charges for each Availability Zone where they are deployed, along with data processing fees.

For example, at $0.01 per hour, an interface endpoint deployed in two zones costs $14.60 over an assumed 730-hour month. Processing 200 GB at $0.01 per GB adds $2.00, bringing the subtotal to $16.60. Regional rates and processing tiers should be checked against AWS PrivateLink pricing.

Organizations should monitor endpoint and NAT usage to find opportunities to reduce NAT processing charges and review aggregate usage across services. If the NAT gateway is still needed for other connections, its hourly charge continues to apply. In addition, accessing several services through interface endpoints may reveal further opportunities, so compare the monthly total.

## IP Address Charges And Management

Public IPv4 addresses attached to running resources or left idle add to VPC networking costs even when they carry no traffic. AWS introduced the standard $0.005 per hour public IPv4 address charge on February 1, 2024. It applies to AWS-provided public IPv4 addresses used by services such as EC2, Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), and RDS. Reviewing address allocations can help identify unnecessary charges, but each address must be checked against service requirements before removal.

## Public IPv4 Charges and BYOIP

AWS charges $0.005 per hour for each standard AWS-provided public IPv4 address, whether it is in use or idle. Over an assumed 730-hour month, one address costs $3.65. This fee also applies to idle Elastic IP addresses, which are static public addresses allocated to an AWS account. Unused allocations should be released after confirming that no service requires them.

The address review should also include automatically allocated addresses. For example, an Amazon EC2 instance launched in a default VPC may receive a public IP address. Administrators should check whether the instance requires that address before changing its network configuration.

Using private IP addresses avoids the public IPv4 fee. An application in a private subnet may need a NAT gateway for internet access or endpoints for access to supported services. Any proposed saving must include the cost of these connections.

Alternatively, Bring Your Own IP (BYOIP) lets organizations use qualifying address ranges they own within AWS. These addresses are exempt from the AWS public IPv4 fee, but obtaining and managing the address space still costs money. Amazon-provided contiguous IPv4 blocks, by contrast, cost $0.008 per hour per address; any partial hour is billed as a full hour. A /28 block contains 16 addresses and costs 16 × $0.008 × 730 = $93.44 over an assumed 730-hour month.

To support address reviews, Public IP shows public IPv4 allocations and the resources using them, helping identify addresses that aren’t attached and aren’t actively used. Amazon VPC IP Address Manager (IPAM) provides broader allocation tracking and IP history auditing. An IPAM IP address pool groups address space for allocation, while its records show where addresses are assigned.

Paid IPAM usage requires a separate calculation. The IPAM Free Tier provides a limited set of address management features at no cost, while the Advanced Tier costs $0.00027 per active IP address per hour. Because an elastic network interface (ENI) can have multiple addresses or assigned prefixes, network interface counts alone aren’t enough.

The estimate must use AWS’s active IP address billing definition. This includes addresses or prefixes assigned to ENIs attached to resources, even when those addresses are outside existing IPAM pools. Each prefix assigned to an attached interface counts as one active address attachment.

## Free Features And Optional Networking Costs

Creating a VPC, configuring security groups, and attaching an internet gateway do not incur separate feature charges. Gateway endpoints for S3 and DynamoDB also have no additional hourly or processing fee. These free features do not remove charges for connected services or billable data transfer.

An AWS account may also qualify for Free Tier benefits or credits. Since eligibility depends on the account’s creation date and plan, the available benefits should be checked against the AWS Free Tier terms before they are deducted from the monthly estimate.

Optional security and monitoring features need separate cost calculations. For example, Traffic Mirroring copies network traffic from an elastic network interface for inspection and costs $0.015 per ENI per hour in US East (Ohio). Its charges apply to interfaces with enabled Traffic Mirroring. In a shared-subnet setup, if one account creates the ENI and another then enables Traffic Mirroring on it, the ENI owner is billed. Unused Traffic Mirroring sessions should be deleted after testing because stopping the source instance alone may not stop billing.

Other features have different billing models. VPC Encryption Controls monitor and enforce encryption in transit and became a paid feature on March 1, 2026. In US East (Ohio), the rate is $0.15 per non-empty VPC per hour, with the same rate for monitor and enforce modes. Connecting a VPC to a Transit Gateway with encryption support enabled also triggers VPC Encryption Controls charges, including for empty VPCs or those with Encryption Controls turned off. Reachability Analyzer checks whether network configurations allow a connection, and when used with Amazon Q network troubleshooting during preview, it incurs no additional charges. Network analysis estimates should include the number of paid connectivity analyses performed.

In addition, VPC Flow Logs record network traffic information and may incur delivery, storage, and analysis costs. The estimate should include these expenses according to Amazon VPC pricing and the pricing terms of the selected logging service.

## Monthly VPC Cost Estimates

A monthly VPC cost estimate combines charges for resource hours, data processing, and data transfer. It should use rates for the intended AWS Region and include VPN connections, endpoints, and public IPv4 addresses where used. The following examples show how these charges contribute to the total and highlight when adjusting VPC architecture can significantly reduce avoidable NAT, endpoint, or transfer charges.

For one NAT gateway in US East (Ohio), an assumed 730 hours and 200 GB of processed data cost $41.85. One public IPv4 address adds $3.65, bringing the subtotal to $ 45.50. This assumes that 100 GB is sent to the internet and the account’s full transfer allowance is available.

For a two-zone deployment, assume two NAT gateways operating for 730 hours each, two public addresses, and 1,000 GB processed in total. If 500 GB is sent to the internet, the subtotal is $154.00, using the same rates and available allowance. Both examples assume that applications use a NAT gateway in the same Availability Zone, with no additional cross-AZ transfer charges.

Regional rates also affect the calculation. For example, one Beijing NAT gateway operating for 730 hours and processing 200 GB costs ¥397.11, excluding public IPv4 and transfer charges. The applicable rates should be checked against AWS China VPC pricing. All examples exclude compute, databases, logging, taxes, and networking services.

## Monitoring VPC Networking Costs

After deployment, actual charges should be checked against the estimate. AWS Cost Explorer, a tool for reviewing AWS spending, and billing reports can separate resource hours, processing, and transfer expenses by account, Region, and usage type.

For example, increased NatGateway-Bytes usage indicates more data processed by NAT gateways. Amazon CloudWatch, which collects operational metrics, can help identify when this increase occurred. Meanwhile, VPC Flow Logs help investigate the traffic’s sources and destinations. Based on these findings, administrators can assess routing changes or endpoint deployment. Any change must preserve the application’s required connections and availability. Afterward, billing reports should be checked to confirm whether the expected savings were achieved.

Unused VPC resources also need review because hourly charges may apply even without traffic. An unused NAT gateway can be deleted through the console, command line interface, or API. Deleting the gateway does not release its Elastic IP addresses. You must review these allocations separately and release them if no service requires them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Does An Unused NAT Gateway Incur Charges?**

Yes. Hourly charges apply while the gateway is provisioned, even without traffic. Deleting it stops future gateway-hour charges. An allocated Elastic IP address can still incur a separate fee.

**Are Idle Elastic IP Addresses Billed?**

Yes. Standard AWS-provided public IPv4 addresses cost the same hourly rate whether in use or idle. Before releasing an address, administrators should confirm that no service requires it.

**Can Vpc Endpoints Reduce Nat Costs?**

Gateway endpoints for S3 and DynamoDB avoid NAT processing charges for traffic routed through them. Interface endpoints may also reduce NAT usage, but their own charges must be included. NAT hourly charges stop only when the gateway is deleted.

**Does Private Connectivity Eliminate Transfer Charges?**

No. Private traffic may still incur processing or transfer charges. For example, connections crossing Availability Zones or Regions can be billable even without using the public internet.

## Conclusion

A lower hourly rate does not always mean a lower monthly VPC cost. A shared NAT gateway may reduce gateway-hour charges but add cross-AZ data transfer costs. Similarly, an interface endpoint may reduce NAT processing fees while introducing its own hourly charges.

Before changing the network, the organization should calculate the combined resource, processing, and transfer costs of the proposed route and confirm that the route preserves required application access and availability. Afterward, billing reports should confirm whether the expected savings were achieved. The aim is to reduce unnecessary spending while preserving reliable access to the services users need.

When comparing VPC providers, assess the complete network configuration and management requirements using each provider’s own pricing terms. At Atlantic.Net, we can help you plan a managed VPC with the firewall, private routing, and VPN connectivity your workloads need. [Contact our team](https://www.atlantic.net/about-us/corporate-contact/) to discuss your network requirements and the service options for your environment.