01Processor metric
How is the processor license count calculated?
Processor licenses = physical cores x core factor, rounded up. The core factor comes from Oracle's published Processor Core Factor Table. For most x86 processors it is 0.5. Other chip families have other factors, so check the table for your hardware.
The count applies to every server where Oracle software is installed or running, with the options and packs you enabled counted separately. Unused options that are installed can still show up in an audit.
02Pick a metric
Processor or Named User Plus: which one applies?
Moving between metrics mid-contract is difficult. Decide with your Oracle license manager or an independent licensing advisor before you rely on either count.
| Processor | Named User Plus (NUP) | |
|---|---|---|
| What you count | Cores x core factor on every server | People and devices that access the database |
| Good fit | Many users, public-facing apps, user count unknown | Small, well-known user group |
| Minimums | None beyond the core count | Per-processor minimums apply (check the current rules for your edition) |
| Counts non-human users | Not needed | Yes: batch jobs, sensors and multiplexed users all count |
| Edition note | Enterprise Edition and Standard Edition 2 both offer it | Standard Edition 2 has a socket limit on the server; verify the current terms |
03Every year
What does annual support add?
Support is a yearly fee set as a percentage of the net license price. A commonly cited figure is about 22 percent, and contracts often allow annual increases. Over a few years, support can pass the original license cost.
That is the number to put against a migration business case. A one-time migration cost is compared with the recurring license-plus-support line that disappears.
- Support cannot normally be dropped for part of a license set. Oracle's policy generally requires all licenses in a license set to carry support, so you cannot reduce it one server at a time.
- If you cut cores, you generally cannot get a refund. Savings come when you stop paying support on a terminated license set.
04Cloud
How do the cloud rules change the count?
Oracle publishes a licensing policy for authorized cloud environments, which includes AWS and Azure. Under that policy, two virtual CPUs count as one processor license when multithreading is on, and the core factor is not applied. Moving a license-included 32-core server to a 32-vCPU instance can therefore change the count in either direction.
Read the policy document dated for your contract. It has changed over time, and Oracle's own cloud (OCI) has separate terms. Ace8 is not affiliated with AWS.
05Our method
How will Ace8 model this for your estate?
We are building a spreadsheet that takes your server inventory and applies the formula above. Results will be published here when it is finished.
- 01
List each Oracle instance with sockets, cores, CPU model, edition and enabled options.
- 02
Look up each CPU model in the core factor table and compute processor licenses.
- 03
Multiply by your contract price per processor, then add support at your contract rate.
- 04
Compare the yearly total with the run cost of the target, and add the one-time migration cost.
06Alternatives
What are the main Oracle database alternatives?
The cheapest alternative is the one your code can reach with the least rework. The Oracle to PostgreSQL migration page covers how we scope that.
| Option | Fit for Oracle workloads | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL (community) | Strong for standard SQL and moderate PL/SQL. See Ora2Pg for conversion | PL/SQL packages and Oracle-specific features need rework |
| EDB Postgres Advanced Server | Oracle compatibility features reduce PL/SQL rework | Commercial subscription, so it is a cost, not free |
| Cloud managed PostgreSQL (RDS, Azure, Cloud SQL, AlloyDB) | Same conversion work as PostgreSQL, with managed operations | Cloud bill and provider lock-in; check each provider's feature limits |
| Oracle Standard Edition 2 | No code change; cheaper tier for small servers | Feature limits and hardware limits; still pays support |
| MySQL or MariaDB | Fine for simple apps | Larger gap in PL/SQL and analytics features |
07How Ace8 helps
How Ace8 helps you decide
Ace8 is the AI-assisted application modernization practice of AceMQ. We scan your Oracle schemas and PL/SQL to estimate rework, so the migration side of the business case rests on measured effort.
The modernization assessment produces that scan. Take the result back to your finance team next to the license count from the formula above, or go straight to Oracle to PostgreSQL migration.