From Mendix Basic to Mendix on Edge for more RAM

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Hi everyone,   I am currently running a small internal application on Mendix Cloud, Basic (1GB RAM). The app serves 5 users and acts as a dashboard for processing relatively large data chunks. We are hitting the limits of the 1GB RAM, but upgrading to a Standard Cloud package is currently not an option due to the significant price jump (approx. 20x the cost).   I recently discovered the Mendix on Edge Device License (4GB RAM for ~$600/year). This seems like a perfect fit for our needs, but I have a few questions before committing:   Are there specific widgets or Marketplace modules that work in Mendix Cloud but are unsupported on "Mendix on Edge" (e.g. the Mail module)?   Beside the $600 license for the app, are there other hidden fees, specifically in terms of licensing? Are there any cost-effective alternatives to obtain more RAM without the 20x price jump to the Standard tier   Thank you!
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Mendix on Edge offers a massive jump in RAM (4GB) for a fraction of the cost of the Standard Cloud tier. However, this license is specifically designed for the Siemens Industrial Edge ecosystem, and there are several technical and financial "catches" to consider before jumping ship.



1. Module & Widget Support

Technically, Mendix on Edge runs a standard Mendix Runtime inside a Docker container.

  • Mail / Email Connector: These will work, but with a caveat: your Edge device must have a network route to an SMTP server. In Mendix Cloud, this is handled for you; on Edge, you must ensure the device's firewall allows outgoing traffic on ports 587 or 465.
  • Widgets: Most modern widgets work. However, older non-React widgets can sometimes struggle with the specific web server headers used in the Industrial Edge environment.
  • Database: In Mendix Cloud Basic, Mendix manages your Postgres DB. On Edge, the database usually runs locally inside the Docker container (using the Mendix Docker Buildpack). This means if the container is wiped without a persistent volume strategy, your data goes with it.

2. The "Hidden" Fees & Requirements

The $600 license is only for the Mendix entitlement. To actually run the app, you need the Siemens Industrial Edge infrastructure:

  • Industrial Edge Management (IEM): You need a "manager" to deploy the app to the device.
    • IEM Cloud costs ~$9,000/year (too expensive for you).
    • IEM Virtual is free but requires you to host it on your own server/VM.
  • Industrial Edge Device (IED) License: Every device you onboard requires a management license (roughly $150–$200/year).
  • Hardware: You need a physical Siemens IPC or a Virtual Edge Device (which requires a Linux VM with specific specs).

Total Minimum Estimated Cost: ~$800/year + the cost of your own VM/Server to host the Virtual Edge Device and the IEM.





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