specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Cloudflare Stream
providerId: cloudflare-stream
created: '2026-07-11'
modified: '2026-07-11'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Video
- Streaming
- Media
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Cloudflare Stream spend. Stream bills on two usage dimensions with
  no per-request API fee: storage at 5 USD per 1,000 minutes of video stored
  (prepaid, in increments) and delivery at 1 USD per 1,000 minutes delivered
  (post-paid, on minutes watched). Encoding, the built-in player, and HLS/DASH
  delivery are included. Live and on-demand share the same model, so the primary
  cost drivers are how many minutes you retain in the library and how many minutes
  viewers actually watch. Committed-volume Enterprise agreements offer negotiated
  rates. A related Media Transformations feature bills separately per unique
  transformation operation.
notes: >-
  Per-unit rates are grounded from the Cloudflare Stream pricing page as of the
  review date. The dominant, most variable cost is delivery (minutes watched);
  storage is a more predictable prepaid line. Verify current rates on the pricing
  page during reconciliation.
sources:
- https://developers.cloudflare.com/stream/pricing/
- https://www.cloudflare.com/products/cloudflare-stream/
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Cloudflare
serviceCategory: Media and Video Streaming
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Usage-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Usage
  - Purchase
meters:
- name: minutes_stored
  description: Minutes of video stored in the Stream library, billed prepaid per 1,000 minutes.
  unit: minutes
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - video
- name: minutes_delivered
  description: Minutes of video watched (on-demand and live), billed post-paid per 1,000 minutes.
  unit: minutes
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - video
  - country
- name: transformation_operations
  description: Unique Media Transformations operations, billed separately per 1,000 monthly unique operations.
  unit: operations
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Cloudflare Stream
  ServiceCategory: Media and Video Streaming
  ProviderName: Cloudflare
  PublisherName: Cloudflare
  InvoiceIssuerName: Cloudflare
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Usage
  PricingCategory: Usage-Based
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track minutes stored and minutes delivered per video; delivery (minutes watched) is the most variable line and should be monitored by video and audience.
- name: Allocation
  description: Tag or name videos and live inputs per workload or team so stored and delivered minutes map to internal cost centers.
- name: Optimization
  description: Delete or expire unused recordings to cut storage; use signed URLs and allowed origins to prevent unwanted delivery; right-size retention of live recordings.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign owners per video library or live channel and review monthly stored and delivered minutes against budget and any Enterprise commitment.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com