How enterprises cut AWS costs by 70% with Graviton instances: Real case studies and proven strategies

What if switching to a different processor type could slash your AWS bill by 35-70% while actually improving performance? That’s exactly what enterprises like Paytm, Logz.io, and Fluid Attacks discovered when they migrated to AWS Graviton instances.

As cloud costs continue to spiral upward, smart enterprises are turning to ARM-based Graviton processors to achieve dramatic savings without compromising performance. These real-world case studies reveal the strategies, challenges, and impressive results that prove Graviton migration isn’t just a cost optimization tactic—it’s a competitive advantage that transforms both operational efficiency and bottom-line results.

Paytm’s strategic migration: 35% cost reduction across 60% of infrastructure

India’s leading fintech company Paytm undertook one of the most comprehensive Graviton migrations on record, moving 60% of their EC2 instances to ARM-based processors. The results speak for themselves: 35% reduction in compute costs while achieving 20-30% throughput improvements for MySQL workloads and 30-35% performance gains for EMR clusters.

Think of this migration like renovating a massive data center while keeping the lights on—Paytm processed millions of daily transactions throughout the transition without a single service disruption.

The migration strategy that worked:

Proof-of-concept approach: Paytm started with non-critical workloads to test performance and identify optimization opportunities, much like testing a new recipe on a small batch before scaling to production
Workload prioritization: They focused on database and analytics workloads that showed the highest ARM compatibility, leveraging native ARM optimizations for MySQL and EMR
Regional advantage: Leveraging Graviton instances in Mumbai region where pricing was approximately 50% lower than comparable x86 instances

“Graviton migration is a long-term TCO investment with proven benefits across applications,” noted Paytm’s Director of Engineering. The company also achieved an estimated 47% reduction in workload carbon intensity, demonstrating that cost optimization and sustainability goals can align perfectly—like getting a fuel-efficient car that’s also faster than your old gas guzzler.

Logz.io’s cloud transformation: 50% TCO reduction in 6 months

SaaS platform Logz.io executed a remarkable migration from Azure to AWS Graviton instances, achieving a 50% reduction in total cost of ownership within just six months. Their OpenSearch benchmarks on Is4gen instances delivered 25% cost savings compared to i3en instances—imagine cutting your office rent in half while moving to a better building.

Key optimization strategies:

Right-sizing clusters: Graviton’s superior price-performance ratio allowed smaller clusters to handle the same workloads, like discovering you need fewer but more efficient workers to complete the same project
Systematic migration planning: Six-month timeline with phased approach to minimize disruption, treating the migration like a carefully choreographed ballet rather than a chaotic scramble
Performance validation: Comprehensive benchmarking ensured performance targets were met before full deployment

The company’s CTO emphasized that “Graviton allows smaller clusters for optimal performance and cost savings,” highlighting how ARM architecture enables more efficient resource utilization. This principle extends beyond just compute—Logz.io plans to migrate their Kubernetes and Kafka workloads next, expecting similar optimization gains.

Fluid Attacks achieves 70% savings with Graviton and Spot instances

Cybersecurity firm Fluid Attacks demonstrates how combining Graviton instances with AWS Spot pricing can deliver exceptional results. They achieved a 70% cost reduction by leveraging Graviton processors for batch workloads combined with Spot instance pricing—like finding a luxury hotel room at budget motel prices during off-peak hours.

The winning combination:

Spot instance strategy: Maximized savings for fault-tolerant batch processing workloads, taking advantage of AWS’s excess capacity pricing
Reinvestment approach: Cost savings were redirected into R&D initiatives, accelerating innovation and product development
Workload optimization: Focused on compute-intensive security analysis tasks ideal for ARM architecture

This case study proves that strategic instance selection and pricing models can compound savings beyond what processor choice alone provides. The key insight: batch workloads that can tolerate interruptions are perfect candidates for this dual-optimization approach.

Lightyear’s engineering breakthrough: From 1 day to 2 hours

Automotive manufacturer Lightyear transformed their computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations by migrating to Graviton2 HPC clusters. The results were dramatic: simulation time reduced from 1 day to 2 hours, enabling 10x more design iterations—like having a time machine that lets engineers test ten different car designs in the time it used to take for one.

Technical implementation highlights:

HPC cluster optimization: ARM-based clusters proved ideal for parallel computing workloads, distributing complex calculations across multiple cores more efficiently
Simulation acceleration: Faster processing enabled more design iterations and shorter development cycles, accelerating time-to-market for new vehicle designs
Environmental benefits: Reduced energy consumption aligned with the company’s sustainability mission—particularly important for an electric vehicle manufacturer

Lightyear’s CTO noted that “Graviton2 provides best price-performance and performance-per-watt, enabling greener design processes.” This case demonstrates how Graviton instances can transform both operational efficiency and environmental impact, creating a virtuous cycle where cost savings and sustainability improvements reinforce each other.

Proven migration strategies that deliver results

These case studies reveal common patterns among successful Graviton implementations, like a playbook that works across different industries and use cases:

Start with proof-of-concept workloads: Every successful migration began with low-risk workloads to validate performance and identify optimization opportunities. Database and analytics workloads consistently showed the best results, acting as perfect testing grounds for broader migrations.

Leverage ARM-native optimizations: Applications designed for ARM architecture, particularly MySQL and EMR workloads, delivered the highest performance improvements alongside cost savings. It’s like using a tool designed specifically for the job rather than adapting a general-purpose tool.

Combine with other cost optimization tactics: The most dramatic savings came from enterprises that combined Graviton migration with Spot instances, right-sizing, and regional pricing advantages. This multi-layered approach creates compound savings—each optimization multiplies the impact of the others.

Plan for systematic migration: Six-month migration timelines with phased approaches minimized disruption while ensuring thorough performance validation at each stage. Think of it as moving houses one room at a time rather than everything at once.

The broader impact: Performance and sustainability benefits

Beyond cost savings, these enterprises discovered additional advantages that extend far beyond their AWS bills:

Performance improvements: 20-35% throughput gains for database and analytics workloads, often surprising teams who expected trade-offs
Environmental benefits: Up to 47% reduction in carbon intensity per workload, supporting corporate ESG initiatives
Innovation acceleration: Cost savings reinvested in R&D and product development, creating a competitive advantage cycle
Competitive advantage: Faster processing enables more design iterations and shorter time-to-market, like having a secret weapon in product development

These benefits create a compounding effect—companies don’t just save money, they use those savings to innovate faster and compete more effectively.

Making the business case for Graviton migration

The evidence from these real-world implementations provides compelling data for enterprise decision-makers who need concrete justification for migration investments:

Immediate cost impact: 35-70% cost reductions achieved within 6 months, providing rapid ROI
Performance validation: No performance compromises, with many workloads showing improvement rather than degradation
Risk mitigation: Proof-of-concept approaches minimize migration risk, allowing teams to validate benefits before committing resources
Sustainability alignment: Environmental benefits support corporate ESG goals, addressing multiple stakeholder priorities simultaneously

The financial impact alone justifies the migration effort, but the additional benefits make it a strategic imperative rather than just a cost-cutting exercise.

Transform your AWS costs with proven optimization strategies

These case studies demonstrate that Graviton migration isn’t just about processor choice—it’s about strategic cloud optimization that delivers measurable business value across multiple dimensions. Whether you’re running fintech applications like Paytm, SaaS platforms like Logz.io, or computational workloads like Lightyear, ARM-based instances can transform your cost structure while improving performance.

The evidence is clear: enterprises that embrace Graviton migration don’t just cut costs—they gain competitive advantages through faster processing, reduced environmental impact, and freed-up capital for innovation. Like upgrading from a horse-drawn carriage to a sports car, the benefits extend far beyond the obvious improvements.

Ready to discover your potential Graviton savings? Hykell specializes in automated AWS cost optimization, helping enterprises achieve up to 40% cost reductions across their entire cloud infrastructure. Our proven approach combines Graviton migration strategies with comprehensive optimization across EBS, EC2, and Kubernetes workloads—all on autopilot, so you save money without ongoing engineering effort. We only take a slice of what you save—if you don’t save, you don’t pay.