Overview

S3 (Simple Storage Service) offers scalable, durable, and flexible object storage—perfect for a wide range of workloads from backups and archives to data lakes and web applications. However, storage and data operation costs can rise quickly if not optimized properly. In this article, EVG shares key tips to help you control and reduce S3 storage costs efficiently

1. Use S3 Intelligent-Tiering

• Automatic tiering: S3 Intelligent-Tiering automatically moves unused objects to infrequent access tiers after 30 days, saving up to ~37% in storage costs. EVG implements this for large-scale enterprise clients with massive storage requirements.

• No manual rule management: Reduces operational overhead compared to manual lifecycle rules.

2. Apply Lifecycle Policies

• Auto-delete outdated data: Remove noncurrent versions or expired objects to cut redundant storage and unnecessary costs.

• Batch Replication: For migrating large amounts of historical data between buckets, Batch Replication enables backfilling with request-based pricing, independent of total object size.

3. Reduce Request and Data Management Costs

3.1 Delete Incomplete Multipart Uploads

Failed or incomplete multipart uploads consume storage and generate charges. Set up automated deletion for uploads older than 7 days.

3.2 Minimize Small Object Count

Storing a large number of small files (e.g., hundreds of thousands <1 MB) leads to higher request and metadata costs. Use packing methods (e.g., tar, zip) before uploading to reduce object count.

3.3 Use Compression and Efficient Formats

• Compression: Apply gzip or Brotli to reduce upload and storage size.

• Columnar formats (Parquet, ORC): For analytics workloads, use columnar data formats to reduce storage footprint and S3 query costs.

4. Monitor and Optimize with Cost Tools

• Tagging: Assign tags by project or environment to segment and analyze costs per bucket.

• AWS Cost Explorer: Create reports filtered by tags or services to identify high-cost buckets quickly.

5. Eliminate Data Transfer Fees

Inbound Uploads

• VPC Gateway Endpoint: Enables direct uploads to S3 over AWS’s backbone network—free data transfer within the same region.

• With EVG, all data uploads to S3 are free, significantly reducing input costs for large datasets.

Outbound Reads & Content Delivery (CDN)

• CloudFront: Caches static content (images, CSS/JS, videos) at edge locations close to users, reducing direct S3 queries and outbound transfer costs.

• AWS Backbone Integration: Data between CloudFront and S3 travels through the internal AWS network, eliminating Internet Gateway/NAT fees.

EVG CDN Integration: EVG can serve as your CDN origin point, using its private infrastructure to distribute content without extra data transfer charges.

Conclusion

Reducing S3 storage costs requires a deep understanding of available features and strategic data management. Techniques such as selecting appropriate storage tiers, using lifecycle rules, compressing data, and leveraging tools like S3 Storage Lens can lead to substantial savings. These best practices apply not only to EVG’s S3-compatible service but also to other platforms like MinIO, Cloudian, or Backblaze B2—ensuring optimal budget use without sacrificing storage performance.

EVG is a trusted cloud provider in Vietnam, offering reliable, cost-effective S3 object storage solutions. With EVG, your data is stored securely and accessible 24/7. Our services include:

• 24/7 setup and configuration support.

• Continuous monitoring to detect and resolve issues promptly.

• Compliance with security regulations and legal standards.

• Expert technical support to help you optimize your storage operations.

For personalized consultation, contact our cloud experts at EVG Cloud via hotline: (+84) 968206168.