Good luck figuring out Visual Studio pricing.
Once upon a time it was simple. You bought a MSDN subscription for under $1000 and Visual Studio was free. The version that was included varied by name but it always came out to be the most complete version. In addition to the Studio you received nearly a copy of every single Microsoft software offering for development purposes. This deal was so good for developers that some developers who could not talk their employers into buying it, would buy on their own. Stories circulated about guys having arguments with their spouses over the purchase.
You can look in vain but this easy option is gone. Today's most complete edition of Visual Studio is the Team Edition. You can buy it this way but it will set you back $3000, $5000 or $10000. I have researched this and do not understand the price variances but let's use the $3000 figure. This is clearly not a slam dunk. Look at the release schedule 2003,2005, 2008. This version will be outdated in just a few years. You will be needing to upgrade soon.
Microsoft makes the case that this need to upgrade often is why should go for one of their subscription based or open licensing options. This is also going to make your head swim. Their is Open Business, Open Value, Open Value Subscription, Software License Agreement and Enterprise Agreement.
The complexity comes from the additional conditions to qualify for each of these.
So lets touch base with the retail option, which Microsoft calls "Full Package Retail".
The Standard version of Visual Studio is listed at $299. The Professional is $799.
Trying to get price quotes on the open/select/enterprise is difficult is hard to say the least. The site http://www.ms-gearup.com/ is supposed to make this easy but the best quote I could get out of it was $536 for Professional + MSDN. Now that seems like a good deal except it a one year license. Which is makes no sense when comparing it to "Microsoft Sales Tool Kit". It simply does not match any of the listed programs.
If there is any bright spot in all this licensing it is in the Partner Programs. When you look at what is required, it would seem nearly every business could find a way to qualify. Of the three levels, Registered has no significant requirements and no cost. At Registered Level you can get the "Action Pack" for $299. The Action Pack include a Visual Studio license plus numerous useful licenses . But at Registered you could also get the "Empower" program which gives you 5 Studio Licenses plus MSDN. Empower is $375 and has some tougher requirements, but it is hands down the best deal to get a cash strapped software shop up and licensed.
If you can put time and resources into becoming a Certified Partner the direct cost is $1500 and you get 5 Licenses plus MSDN. Gold has the same direct cost of $1500 but kicks in 10 Visual Studio Team for Developer licenses plus MSDN.
The Partner programs grant a large number of licenses which includes Windows Server, Office and numerous others. So while this seems like the hands down best deal, the requirements to qualify will take some effort. And if you are a sole proprietor, $1500 a year won't seem like a good deal.
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