Fiber and CO2
Fiber lasers dominate thinner reflective materials and are generally faster and cheaper to run; CO2 machines are still found on thicker plate and certain non-metals. What matters to you is edge quality, thickness range and turnaround, so ask about those rather than the machine brand.
Nesting and secondary operations
Part cost is heavily affected by how efficiently parts nest on a sheet. Ordering in sheet-friendly multiples, or letting the shop adjust quantity slightly, can meaningfully reduce unit cost. Also confirm whether deburring is included.