IBM i Software Tier
IBM's per-core software licensing classification for IBM i (P05, P10, P20, P30, P40, P50), tied to processor performance and determining OS and middleware pricing.
Every IBM i processor core is assigned a software tier based on its relative performance. The tier, not the raw core count, is what IBM i software pricing is actually built on -- a faster core in a higher tier costs more to license than the same core count at a lower tier. Hardware generation (Power8 through Power11) affects which tiers are available on a given model, but does not change the tier pricing structure itself.
Related Terms
P05
The entry IBM i software tier, subscription-only for new purchases and license transfers since May 7, 2024.
P10
The small-business IBM i software tier, also subscription-only for new purchases since May 7, 2024.
P20 Standard Edition
A bundled IBM i subscription tier (available since July 15, 2025) that packages the OS subscription with additional entitlements IBM values above the standalone subscription price.
P30 Enterprise Edition
A bundled IBM i subscription tier for larger enterprise partitions, priced at $24,500/core/year with a claimed bundle value over $52,000/core/year.