Unix is not free. However, some Unix versions are free for development use (Solaris). In a collaborative environment, Unix costs $1,407 per user and Linux costs $256 per user. Hence, UNIX is extremely expensive.

How expensive is Unix?

In this study, funded by IBM and Red Hat Software, TCO is based on up-front acquisition and support costs. In a “collaborative” environment, the cost for Unix was $1,407 per user, compared to $256 for Linux. In an Internet or Web-based setting, the difference narrowed to $685 for Unix versus $377 or Linux.

Does Unix still exist?

“No one markets Unix any more, it’s kind of a dead term. It’s still around, it’s just not built around anyone’s strategy for high-end innovation. … Most applications on Unix that can be easily ported to Linux or Windows have actually already been moved.”