As businesses move more workloads to the cloud, private and secure connectivity becomes a critical component—not just a technical requirement, but a strategic advantage. Cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer Private Link to help enterprises connect directly to services without exposing data to the public internet.
This post breaks down how Private Link is priced, what affects those costs, and how to use it efficiently.
What is Private Link?
Private Link allows traffic between virtual networks and cloud services to remain within the cloud provider’s backbone—without ever traversing the public internet.
Key benefits include:
- Data security: Minimizes exposure to external threats.
- Lower latency: Uses optimized internal routes.
- Compliance support: Helps meet strict regulatory requirements.
How Private Link is Priced
Private Link pricing generally includes:
- Hourly Endpoint Cost
You’re billed per hour for each endpoint you create—regardless of how much data flows through it. - Data Processing Fees
Charges based on the amount of data transferred via the endpoint, typically calculated per GB.
📌 Example: AWS charges around $0.01/hour per endpoint and $0.01/GB of data processed. Prices vary by region.
Key Cost Drivers
Before deploying Private Link, it helps to estimate usage and design with cost in mind:
- Number of endpoints: Each cloud service or VPC needs its own endpoint.
- Traffic volume: Higher usage leads to higher data processing charges.
- Cloud provider & region: Prices can differ significantly across locations.
- Type of connection: Accessing partner services vs. internal services may affect cost.
How to Optimize Private Link Costs
Private Link can be cost-efficient if designed properly. Here are a few best practices:
- Centralize endpoints: Share endpoints across teams or environments if possible.
- Monitor traffic trends: Use observability tools to forecast traffic and scale accordingly.
- Deploy in cost-effective regions: Some cloud regions offer lower rates.
- Avoid unnecessary endpoints: Use routing strategies like VPC peering to reduce overhead.
Who Benefits from Private Link?
- Companies that manage sensitive data like healthcare or financial services
- SaaS providers offering services within customer VPCs
- Enterprises with multi-cloud or hybrid strategies
- Businesses with strict compliance or audit requirements
Final Thoughts
Private Link creates a secure path between your cloud environment and critical services—but costs can accumulate quickly if left unchecked. With the right strategy, you can maximize security and cost-efficiency.
Looking for Simplified Private Cloud Connectivity?
DCConnect provides enterprise-grade, secure cloud interconnects with transparent pricing and automation across multiple cloud providers. Our platform supports Private Link-style connections—at scale, with better control.
