In this paper, Stratecast provides a context for understanding the factors that influence cloud price-performance. We dispel some insidious myths that can prevent IT decision-makers from selecting the optimal cloud service for their workloads. To provide a vivid view of the magnitude of the issue, we step through reallife scenarios provided by IBM, comparing actual costs associated with common cloud workloads on IBM SoftLayer and competitors’ cloud services. Finally, we offer tips for enterprises looking to ensure they are selecting optimal cloud services.