AWS Cost Explorer
AWS Cost Explorer is a web-based tool within Amazon Web Services (AWS) that provides detailed cost and usage data visualization and analysis. It helps users track, understand, and optimize their AWS spending through customizable reports, forecasts, and insights. The tool integrates with AWS billing data to offer granular views of costs by service, region, account, or custom tags.
Developers and teams should use AWS Cost Explorer when managing cloud budgets, identifying cost drivers, or planning for future expenses in AWS environments. It is essential for cost optimization, financial reporting, and ensuring efficient resource utilization, particularly in multi-account or large-scale deployments. Use cases include monitoring monthly spend trends, forecasting future costs, and analyzing savings from Reserved Instances or Savings Plans.