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Managed database pricing multiplies with redundancy: a multi-AZ deployment runs a full standby you cannot read from, doubling both compute and storage charges. Provisioned IOPS is a separate line and is often the largest component on write-heavy workloads, which is why gp3-style volumes with a generous baseline are usually cheaper than provisioning IOPS explicitly.
Managed database cost
compute = hourly x 730 x redundancy multiplier; storage and IOPS also multiply for multi-AZ; total = compute + storage + IOPS
Not in the classic configuration — it exists solely for failover. Multi-AZ cluster deployments provide two readable standbys but cost three times single-AZ compute.
It includes automated backup, patching, failover orchestration and monitoring. Whether that premium is worth it depends on how much operational effort it removes.