The Future of FinOps for SMBs: What CloudCheckr's Sale to Flexera Means
A Shift in Cloud Cost Management
The recent announcement of NetApp divesting its Spot.io and CloudCheckr FinOps services to Flexera has sent ripples through the cloud management industry. The $100 million deal represents a strategic pivot, especially considering NetApp's original investment of approximately $450 million in Spot.io back in 2020 and CloudCheckr in 2021.
While large enterprises may see this as an opportunity for expanded FinOps capabilities under Flexera’s umbrella, SMBs (small and midsize businesses) relying on CloudCheckr now face significant uncertainty. Historically, CloudCheckr has been a go-to platform for SMBs, offering cost visibility and basic compliance monitoring without the overhead of enterprise-focused solutions. However, Flexera primarily serves large enterprises, raising concerns about potential pricing shifts, product changes, and customer support restructuring.
CloudCheckr's Legacy: A Tool That Stood Still?
CloudCheckr, founded in 2011, emerged as a fast-growing leader in cloud cost management, particularly for AWS users. It was designed to provide deep cost visibility, savings recommendations, and compliance tracking for organizations with complex cloud environments. SMBs appreciated its relatively straightforward approach, but the tool has not seen significant innovation in years.
Under NetApp’s ownership since 2021, CloudCheckr’s development seemingly stagnated. Many users have voiced frustration over:
A complex and outdated UI, making navigation difficult.
Delayed data updates, limiting real-time cost tracking.
Overwhelming features that cater to larger teams rather than SMBs.
Recommendations that lack accuracy or actionable insights.
With the Flexera acquisition, CloudCheckr’s alignment with SMB needs is in question. Enterprise-focused FinOps solutions often come with complex onboarding, higher costs, and a heavier emphasis on multi-cloud strategy—elements that might not fit smaller AWS-centric businesses.
The SMB Challenge: Finding the Right Cloud Cost Management Tool
The FinOps landscape is more crowded than ever, with nearly 300 cloud cost management and cloud platform tools listed on G2. For SMBs, the challenge is not just finding a replacement for CloudCheckr but identifying a tool that balances deep insights with usability. Many alternatives, such as VMware Tanzu CloudHealth and IBM Cloudability, provide robust FinOps solutions, yet their enterprise focus and onboarding cycles can be barriers for smaller organizations.
So, what should SMBs look for in a cloud cost management tool?
Ease of use – A clear, intuitive UI that eliminates the need for excessive training.
Fast time to value – Quick onboarding and insights that engineers and leaders can act on.
Actionable recommendations – AI-driven optimizations that don’t require extensive manual analysis.
Security & compliance oversight – Built-in tools to mitigate risks and maintain compliance with industry standards.
Scalability without enterprise pricing – The flexibility to grow without being locked into expensive or long-term contracts.
An SMB-Centric Approach to FinOps
While enterprise-focused FinOps platforms dominate the market, SMBs need a consolidated cost and security management solution that prioritizes their unique requirements. Emerging platforms, such as Kalos by Stratus10, have been designed with SMBs in mind, focusing on simplified reporting, real-time cost visibility, and automated compliance checks.
Kalos integrates AI/ML-driven insights to help businesses identify cost-saving opportunities without the need for extensive manual intervention. Unlike larger enterprise tools, Kalos provides:
Quick-to-consume financial and compliance reports for both engineers and executives.
AWS-first optimization strategies, tailored for businesses spending $10k-$100k+ per month.
Direct support and remediation services, reducing the burden on internal teams.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cloud Cost Optimization
With cloud financial management evolving rapidly, the next generation of FinOps tools will prioritize automation, simplicity, and integration. SMBs must navigate this landscape carefully, ensuring they choose platforms that align with their operational needs without unnecessary complexity or enterprise-level pricing.
CloudCheckr’s transition to Flexera may mark the end of an era for SMB users who relied on it as a straightforward cost management tool. However, new solutions are emerging that better align with today’s cloud-native, automation-first approach to cost optimization. As cloud spending continues to increase, SMBs must reassess their FinOps strategy and consider whether their existing tools still serve their best interests.
For those seeking alternatives, evaluating tools purpose-built for SMBs rather than retrofitted enterprise solutions will be key. The landscape of cloud cost management is shifting—now is the time for SMBs to take control of their cloud financial strategy.
That’s all for now, thanks for reading!