Cloud Cost Optimization is crucial in today’s economic climate, particularly for fast-growing FinTech startups that depend on cloud infrastructure. In this case study, we showcase how CloudRefit helped a regional FinTech company achieve a 40% reduction in their monthly AWS cloud bill, all while improving scalability and performance. This is a real-world example of effective cloud cost optimization done right.
The Challenge
Our client, a rapidly scaling FinTech company, faced three main issues :
- Escalating AWS costs due to overprovisioned compute instances and unused services.
- Vendor lock-in with proprietary analytics tools and databases.
- Performance bottlenecks during high-traffic financial transactions and reporting.
Despite using top-tier cloud tools, inefficiencies in their architecture were burning through their budget.
Despite using top-tier cloud tools, inefficiencies in their architecture were burning through their budget.
To tackle these challenges, we applied our 4-phase cloud cost optimization framework:
1. Comprehensive Cloud Audit
We performed a full review of the client’s AWS environment to :
- Identify idle or underutilized EC2 instances.
- Detect unused EBS volumes and orphaned snapshots.
- Analyze data transfer patterns and storage costs.
2. Open-Source Replacements
We replaced costly proprietary tools with open-source alternatives:
- Switched from a commercial database to PostgreSQL, reducing license fees to zero.
- Replaced analytics platforms with Metabase, providing customizable dashboards without SaaS costs.
3. Kubernetes Auto-Scaling
We containerized key workloads and deployed them using Amazon EKS with auto-scaling enabled. This ensured :
- Efficient use of resources based on real-time demand.
- Better handling of traffic surges without manual intervention.
4. Ongoing Monitoring & FinOps
We implemented continuous monitoring and monthly reviews :
- Integrated CloudWatch with custom alerts.
- Set budgets and usage alerts using AWS Budgets.
- Provided training on FinOps best practices to their DevOps team.
The Results
Within 30 days of implementation :
- Monthly cloud spend dropped by 40%.
- System performance during peak hours improved by 25%.
- No downtime or service interruption during the transition.
- The client gained full visibility into their cloud cost structure.
Key Takeaways for FinTech Startups
- Cloud cost optimization is not just about cutting costs—it’s about building sustainable, scalable infrastructure.
- Open-source tools can significantly reduce expenses while offering enterprise-level performance.
- A FinOps-driven approach enables teams to continuously optimize without compromising on growth or reliability.
Need Help With Cloud Cost Optimization ?
At CloudRefit, we specialize in helping startups and SMEs optimize their cloud infrastructure, reduce unnecessary spending, and adopt scalable solutions using both open-source tools and proven architectural strategies.
📞 Book your free cloud cost assessment today: cloudrefit.com