Want to explore the cloud without spending a dime? The AWS Free Tier is your golden ticket. Packed with real, usable resources, it lets startups, students, and developers experiment, learn, and even launch small-scale applications—completely free. Here’s how to make the most of it.
What Is AWS Free Tier and Why It Matters
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a generous entry-level access model known as the AWS Free Tier. It’s designed to help users get hands-on experience with cloud computing without financial risk. Whether you’re a student, a hobbyist, or a startup founder, this tier provides a risk-free environment to explore AWS services.
Understanding the Core Concept
The AWS Free Tier isn’t just a trial—it’s a long-term offering that includes three types of free access: Always Free, 12-Month Free, and Short-Term Free Trials. This structure allows users to test drive AWS with no credit card required for some services, though most require registration with payment details.
- Always Free services never expire as long as usage stays within limits.
- 12-Month Free services are available for one year after account creation.
- Short-Term Free Trials are limited-time offers for specific services.
This tier is part of AWS’s strategy to onboard new users and encourage adoption of its ecosystem. By lowering the barrier to entry, AWS fosters innovation and learning.
Who Should Use AWS Free Tier?
The AWS Free Tier is ideal for a wide range of users. Students learning cloud computing can use it to complete coursework and build projects. Developers can prototype applications without incurring costs. Startups can validate ideas before scaling. Even enterprises can use it for training and proof-of-concept testing.
According to AWS’s official documentation, over 1 million customers have leveraged the Free Tier to launch their cloud journey. This widespread adoption underscores its value in the tech community.
“The AWS Free Tier is not just a marketing gimmick—it’s a real, usable platform that powers actual applications and learning environments.” — AWS Certified Solutions Architect
Types of AWS Free Tier Offers
To fully leverage the AWS Free Tier, it’s essential to understand the three distinct categories of free offerings. Each serves a different purpose and has unique eligibility and duration rules.
Always Free Services
These services are available indefinitely as long as you stay within specified usage limits. They are perfect for low-traffic websites, small applications, and learning purposes.
- AWS Lambda: 1 million free requests per month.
- Amazon DynamoDB: 25 GB of storage and 25 units of read/write capacity.
- Amazon S3: 5 GB of standard storage, 20,000 GET requests, and 2,000 PUT requests monthly.
- Amazon EC2: 750 hours per month of t2.micro or t3.micro instances (Linux/Unix only).
These services are maintained by AWS to support long-term, low-cost projects and educational use. They’re especially useful for developers building serverless applications or hosting static websites.
12-Month Free Services
This category includes services that are free for the first 12 months after you create your AWS account. These are more robust and allow for deeper exploration of AWS capabilities.
- Amazon EC2: 750 hours per month of t2.micro or t3.micro instances (Linux, Windows, or macOS).
- Amazon RDS: 750 hours of db.t3.micro instance usage per month.
- Amazon ElastiCache: 750 hours of cache.t3.micro per month.
- Amazon Redshift: 750 hours of dc2.large node usage.
These services enable users to run full-stack applications, databases, and data warehouses for a year at no cost. It’s a powerful window for startups to validate their products before committing to paid plans.
Short-Term Free Trials
Some AWS services offer limited-time free trials that are separate from the standard Free Tier. These are often used to introduce new services or advanced features.
- AWS Fargate: 10 hours of usage per month for 6 months.
- Amazon SageMaker: Various free tiers for machine learning tools.
- AWS Glue: 1 million objects processed free for 12 months.
These trials are time-bound and require active monitoring to avoid unexpected charges. Always set billing alerts when using these services.
Top 12 Services You Can Use for Free on AWS
The AWS Free Tier includes a wide array of services across compute, storage, databases, and machine learning. Here are 12 of the most valuable services you can use at no cost—either indefinitely or for 12 months.
1. Amazon EC2 (750 Hours/Month)
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is AWS’s flagship compute service. Under the Free Tier, you get 750 hours per month of t2.micro or t3.micro instances for 12 months.
- Ideal for hosting small websites, APIs, or development environments.
- Supports Linux, Windows, and even macOS (for specific use cases).
- Can be used with Elastic IPs, but be cautious—unattached IPs incur charges.
Many developers use EC2 to run WordPress sites, Node.js backends, or even Minecraft servers during the free period.
2. Amazon S3 (5 GB Storage)
Simple Storage Service (S3) is AWS’s object storage solution. The Free Tier includes 5 GB of standard storage, 20,000 GET requests, and 2,000 PUT requests per month—forever.
- Perfect for storing backups, static website assets, or user uploads.
- Can host static websites with custom domains.
- Integrates seamlessly with CloudFront for content delivery.
Students often use S3 to host project portfolios or store datasets for analysis.
3. AWS Lambda (1 Million Requests)
Lambda allows you to run code without provisioning servers. The Free Tier includes 1 million requests and 400,000 GB-seconds of compute time per month—forever.
- Great for event-driven architectures (e.g., processing S3 uploads).
- Used in serverless APIs, chatbots, and automation scripts.
- Cost-effective for low-traffic applications.
Developers combine Lambda with API Gateway to build free-tier-compatible REST APIs.
4. Amazon DynamoDB (25 GB Storage)
DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database. The Free Tier offers 25 GB of storage and 25 read/write capacity units—available indefinitely.
- Suitable for mobile apps, gaming backends, and IoT data storage.
- Auto-scales and integrates with Lambda for serverless apps.
- Low-latency performance ideal for real-time applications.
Many startups use DynamoDB Free Tier to prototype their app backends before scaling.
5. Amazon RDS (750 Hours/Month)
Relational Database Service (RDS) supports MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and SQL Server. The Free Tier includes 750 hours per month of db.t3.micro instance usage for 12 months.
- Perfect for running WordPress, Laravel, or Django backends.
- Automated backups and patching included.
- Can be integrated with EC2 for full-stack applications.
Caution: Data transfer and backup storage beyond limits may incur charges.
6. Amazon CloudFront (1 TB Data Transfer)
CloudFront is AWS’s content delivery network (CDN). The Free Tier includes 1 TB of data transfer out and 10 million HTTP/HTTPS requests per month for 12 months.
- Speeds up website loading by caching content globally.
- Integrates with S3 to serve static assets faster.
- Reduces latency for users worldwide.
Developers use it to optimize blog performance or deliver media content efficiently.
7. Amazon Route 53 (1 Hosted Zone)
Route 53 is AWS’s DNS service. The Free Tier includes 1 free hosted zone, 1 million DNS queries, and 10 health checks per month for 12 months.
- Allows you to manage domain names and route traffic.
- Health checks monitor endpoint availability.
- Essential for custom domains pointing to S3 or EC2.
It’s a must-have for anyone launching a public-facing website on AWS.
8. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM is always free and allows you to manage user access and permissions securely.
- Create users, groups, and roles with fine-grained policies.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA).
- Integrate with AWS Organizations for multi-account management.
No free tier limit—use it as much as needed to secure your environment.
9. Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)
VPC lets you create isolated network environments in AWS. All VPC features are free, including subnets, route tables, and security groups.
- Define IP ranges, gateways, and network ACLs.
- Secure your resources with private subnets.
- Essential for production-grade architectures.
Even though it’s free, proper VPC design is critical to avoid security risks.
10. Amazon CloudWatch (10 Custom Metrics)
CloudWatch monitors AWS resources and applications. The Free Tier includes 10 custom metrics, 10 alarms, and 5GB of log data per month—forever.
- Track CPU usage, latency, or custom application metrics.
- Set alarms to notify you of issues.
- Analyze logs from EC2, Lambda, or containers.
It’s a powerful tool for maintaining visibility without cost.
11. AWS Elastic Beanstalk (750 Hours/Month)
Elastic Beanstalk simplifies application deployment. The Free Tier includes 750 hours per month of t.micro instances for 12 months.
- Deploy web apps in Java, .NET, PHP, Node.js, Python, Ruby, or Go.
- Automatically handles load balancing and scaling.
- Great for developers who want to focus on code, not infrastructure.
It abstracts away complexity while still running on EC2 under the hood.
12. Amazon SageMaker (Free Tier Access)
SageMaker is a machine learning platform. While not fully free, it offers a generous free tier for notebooks, training, and inference.
- Free t2.medium notebook instances for 250 hours per month (12 months).
- Free ml.t2.medium instances for training and hosting models.
- Perfect for learning ML, building prototypes, or academic research.
Students and data scientists use it to experiment with AI without budget constraints.
How to Sign Up for AWS Free Tier
Getting started with the AWS Free Tier is straightforward, but requires attention to detail to avoid accidental charges.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
1. Go to aws.amazon.com/free and click “Create a Free Account.”
2. Enter your email, AWS account name, and password.
3. Provide contact information and verify your identity via phone call or SMS.
4. Enter a valid credit card (required, even for free services).
5. Choose a support plan (Basic is free).
6. Complete registration and log in to the AWS Management Console.
Once registered, you’ll have immediate access to all Free Tier-eligible services.
Verification and Security Setup
After signing up, AWS verifies your identity and payment method. This process usually takes a few minutes but can take up to 24 hours.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for your root account.
- Create an IAM user for daily operations—never use the root account for tasks.
- Set up billing alerts using Amazon CloudWatch Alarms.
These steps are critical to prevent unauthorized access and unexpected charges.
Best Practices to Avoid Unexpected Charges
While the AWS Free Tier is free within limits, going over usage or forgetting to terminate resources can lead to bills. Follow these best practices to stay safe.
Set Up Billing Alerts
Use AWS Budgets or CloudWatch to create alerts when spending exceeds a threshold (e.g., $1).
- Navigate to the Billing Dashboard and create a budget.
- Set alerts for daily, weekly, or monthly spending.
- Receive notifications via email or SNS.
This proactive measure ensures you’re notified before costs spiral.
Monitor Usage with AWS Cost Explorer
Cost Explorer provides visual insights into your spending patterns.
- Track usage by service (e.g., EC2, S3, Lambda).
- Forecast future costs based on trends.
- Identify underutilized or idle resources.
Check it weekly to stay within Free Tier limits.
Terminate Unused Resources
Many users forget to shut down EC2 instances or delete S3 buckets, leading to charges.
- Stop EC2 instances when not in use—running state incurs hourly costs.
- Delete unneeded EBS volumes, snapshots, and AMIs.
- Remove unused Elastic IPs—AWS charges for unattached IPs.
Use AWS Nuke (open-source tool) to clean up entire accounts for testing purposes.
Real-World Use Cases of AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier isn’t just for learning—it powers real applications and businesses.
Student Projects and Learning
Computer science students use AWS Free Tier to build full-stack applications, host portfolios, and learn DevOps.
- Host a personal blog using S3 and CloudFront.
- Build a serverless API with Lambda and API Gateway.
- Run a database for a class project using RDS or DynamoDB.
Universities like MIT and Stanford incorporate AWS into their curriculum using the Free Tier.
Startup MVP Development
Startups use the 12-month Free Tier to launch minimum viable products (MVPs) with zero infrastructure cost.
- Run a web app on EC2 with RDS backend.
- Use S3 for file storage and CloudFront for fast delivery.
- Scale using Elastic Beanstalk as traffic grows.
Many Y Combinator startups begin on AWS Free Tier before raising funding.
Personal Websites and Blogs
Freelancers and content creators host static websites entirely for free.
- Store HTML, CSS, JS in S3.
- Use Route 53 for domain management.
- Accelerate delivery with CloudFront.
With proper setup, you can run a blog indefinitely at no cost.
Common Mistakes to Avoid on AWS Free Tier
Even experienced users make mistakes that lead to unexpected charges. Here are the most common pitfalls.
Leaving EC2 Instances Running 24/7
While EC2 offers 750 hours/month (about 24 hours/day), exceeding this limit—even by one hour—incurs charges.
- Use Auto Scaling or Lambda to start/stop instances based on schedule.
- Consider using AWS Lightsail for simpler, fixed-price alternatives.
- Always check instance state: “Stopped” is free; “Running” is not.
Tip: Use AWS Systems Manager to automate instance shutdowns.
Ignoring Data Transfer Costs
Data transfer OUT to the internet is limited in the Free Tier. Exceeding 15 GB/month (for EC2) or 1 TB (for CloudFront) results in charges.
- Monitor data transfer in CloudWatch.
- Use CloudFront to reduce origin load and optimize costs.
- Avoid large file downloads or video streaming on free resources.
Internal AWS-to-AWS data transfer (e.g., EC2 to S3 in same region) is free.
Forgetting About Backup and Storage Overages
RDS backups, EBS snapshots, and S3 versioning can accumulate and exceed free limits.
- Delete old snapshots and backups regularly.
- Enable lifecycle policies on S3 to auto-delete old objects.
- Disable versioning unless absolutely necessary.
One unmanaged S3 bucket with versioning can cost hundreds of dollars in hidden fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is AWS Free Tier really free?
Yes, the AWS Free Tier is genuinely free for eligible services within specified usage limits. You need a credit card to sign up, but you won’t be charged as long as you stay within the free usage tiers. Always monitor your usage to avoid overages.
Does AWS Free Tier require a credit card?
Yes, AWS requires a valid credit card during registration to verify identity and prevent abuse. However, you won’t be charged unless you exceed free tier limits or use services outside the free offer.
Can I extend AWS Free Tier after 12 months?
No, the 12-month free services expire after one year. However, Always Free services (like Lambda, DynamoDB, and S3) continue indefinitely as long as usage stays within limits. You can create a new account, but AWS discourages this and may restrict access.
What happens when I exceed Free Tier limits?
You’ll be charged at standard AWS rates for overages. For example, running an EC2 instance beyond 750 hours/month costs ~$0.013/hour for a t3.micro. Set billing alerts to avoid surprises.
Can I use AWS Free Tier for a production website?
Yes, many small websites and startups run on Free Tier services. However, ensure your traffic and resource usage stay within limits. Use monitoring tools to track usage and scale responsibly.
Mastering the AWS Free Tier opens doors to innovation without financial risk. From learning cloud fundamentals to launching real applications, it’s a powerful tool for developers, students, and entrepreneurs. By understanding the services, setting up safeguards, and avoiding common mistakes, you can leverage AWS’s full potential—for free. Whether you’re building your first website or prototyping the next big app, the AWS Free Tier is your launchpad into the cloud.
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