Want to explore the cloud without spending a dime? The AWS Free Tier is your golden ticket to experimenting with Amazon’s powerful cloud services—risk-free and packed with potential.
What Is the AWS Free Tier?
The AWS Free Tier is Amazon Web Services’ way of welcoming new users to its cloud ecosystem by offering a selection of services at no cost. It’s designed to help individuals, startups, and developers test, learn, and build applications without incurring immediate charges. This program isn’t just a trial; it’s a structured onboarding experience that allows users to gain hands-on experience with one of the world’s most robust cloud platforms.
Types of Free Tier Offers
AWS provides two main types of free offers under its Free Tier: the 12-Month Free Tier and the Always Free Tier. Understanding the difference between these is crucial for maximizing your benefits.
- 12-Month Free Tier: Available to new AWS customers for exactly one year from the date of account creation. During this period, users can access a wide range of services with specific usage limits.
- Always Free Tier: A set of services that remain free indefinitely, even after the first year. These are typically lower-tier instances or limited-usage offerings designed for small projects, learning, or hobbyist use.
For example, the AWS Free Tier page clearly outlines which services fall under each category, helping users plan their cloud journey strategically.
Eligibility and Account Requirements
To qualify for the AWS Free Tier, you must be a new AWS customer. This means you haven’t used AWS before, or if you have, you haven’t exceeded the free usage limits in the past. When you sign up, AWS automatically applies the Free Tier benefits to your account.
- You need a valid credit card to register, even though you won’t be charged during the free period.
- Your AWS account must be in good standing, with no history of abuse or violations of AWS’s Acceptable Use Policy.
- The Free Tier is available across all AWS regions, but some services may have regional limitations.
“The AWS Free Tier lowers the barrier to entry for cloud computing, enabling innovation from students to startups.” — Amazon Web Services
Top 5 Services Included in the AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier includes over 60 services across compute, storage, databases, networking, and machine learning. Here are five of the most popular and impactful services that you can use for free.
Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)
Amazon EC2 is the cornerstone of AWS’s compute offerings. Under the 12-Month Free Tier, new users get 750 hours per month of Linux or Windows t2.micro or t3.micro instances. That’s enough to run a single instance 24/7 for an entire month.
- Ideal for hosting small websites, development environments, or learning Linux administration.
- Includes 30 GB of Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store) General Purpose (SSD) storage.
- Bandwidth allowance: 15 GB of data transfer out to the internet per month.
It’s important to note that while the instance is free, you must manage it carefully. Leaving an instance running unintentionally after your free tier expires can lead to charges. You can set billing alerts via AWS Budgets to avoid surprises.
Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
Amazon S3 is a scalable object storage service perfect for storing images, backups, and static website content. The Always Free Tier includes 5 GB of standard storage, 20,000 Get Requests, and 2,000 Put Requests each month—forever.
- Great for personal backups, small-scale web apps, or storing project files.
- No expiration date—this benefit continues indefinitely.
- Supports versioning, lifecycle policies, and encryption for data security.
For developers building static websites, S3 combined with Route 53 and CloudFront (both partially free) can create a fully functional, low-cost hosting solution.
Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)
Amazon RDS simplifies setting up, operating, and scaling relational databases in the cloud. The 12-Month Free Tier includes 750 hours of db.t3.micro or db.t2.micro instances per month using MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, or SQL Server Express Edition.
- Includes 20 GB of General Purpose (SSD) storage and 20 million I/Os per month.
- 10 GB of backup storage is also included.
- Perfect for learning SQL, building small applications, or testing database migration.
While RDS is convenient, remember that it’s not entirely free after the first year. Monitoring usage and turning off instances when not in use can prevent unexpected costs.
AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs your code in response to events. The Always Free Tier includes 1 million free requests per month and 400,000 GB-seconds of compute time.
- No servers to manage—ideal for event-driven applications.
- Used for processing file uploads, real-time data streaming, or API backends.
- Cost-effective for low-traffic applications or microservices.
Lambda integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like S3, DynamoDB, and API Gateway, making it a powerful tool in the AWS Free Tier arsenal.
Amazon DynamoDB
DynamoDB is a fully managed NoSQL database service that delivers fast and predictable performance. The Always Free Tier offers 25 GB of storage, 25 units of write capacity, and 25 units of read capacity per month—forever.
- Perfect for mobile apps, gaming backends, or IoT data storage.
- Supports serverless architecture and integrates with Lambda.
- No need to provision hardware or manage scaling manually.
Because DynamoDB is part of the Always Free Tier, it’s an excellent choice for long-term projects that require a reliable, scalable database without ongoing costs.
How to Sign Up for the AWS Free Tier
Getting started with the AWS Free Tier is straightforward, but it’s essential to follow the correct steps to ensure you receive all available benefits.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
1. Go to aws.amazon.com and click on “Create an AWS Account.”
2. Enter your email address and create a password.
3. Provide your personal information, including name, address, and phone number.
4. Enter a valid credit card. AWS uses this for identity verification and to charge you only if you exceed free limits.
5. Verify your identity via a phone call or text message.
6. Choose a support plan (Basic is free and sufficient for most users).
7. Once registered, AWS automatically applies Free Tier eligibility to your account.
After signing up, you’ll land on the AWS Management Console, where you can start launching services immediately.
Verifying Your Free Tier Status
To confirm that your account is eligible for the AWS Free Tier, navigate to the Billing & Cost Management Dashboard. Here, you can view your current usage against Free Tier limits.
- Check the “Free Usage” section to see which services you’re using within the free allowance.
- Set up billing alerts to notify you when usage approaches or exceeds free limits.
- Use AWS Cost Explorer to visualize your spending trends over time.
It’s also wise to review the AWS Free Tier terms and conditions to understand what’s included and any restrictions.
Maximizing Your AWS Free Tier Benefits
While the AWS Free Tier offers generous resources, maximizing its value requires strategy and awareness. Here’s how to get the most out of it without racking up charges.
Monitor Usage with AWS Budgets
AWS Budgets allows you to set custom cost and usage budgets to track your spending. You can create alerts that notify you via email or SMS when you approach your Free Tier limits.
- Create a budget for each service you use frequently (e.g., EC2, S3).
- Set thresholds at 80% and 100% of your free usage to stay ahead of overages.
- Integrate with Amazon SNS (Simple Notification Service) for real-time alerts.
This proactive monitoring ensures you stay within the AWS Free Tier boundaries and avoid unexpected bills.
Leverage AWS Educate and Training Resources
AWS offers free training and cloud credits through programs like AWS Educate, which is ideal for students, educators, and aspiring developers.
- Access free courses on cloud computing, machine learning, and security.
- Receive AWS Promotional Credits to experiment beyond Free Tier limits.
- Join a global community of learners and professionals.
These resources complement the AWS Free Tier by providing structured learning paths and hands-on labs.
Use Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Tools like AWS CloudFormation or Terraform allow you to define and deploy infrastructure using code. This practice helps you automate deployments, ensure consistency, and easily tear down resources when not in use.
- Write templates for common setups (e.g., a web server with EC2 and S3).
- Version control your infrastructure for better collaboration.
- Automate cleanup scripts to delete unused resources daily.
By treating infrastructure as code, you reduce the risk of leaving resources running and incurring charges.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with AWS Free Tier
Many users unintentionally incur charges despite the AWS Free Tier. Being aware of common pitfalls can save you money and frustration.
Leaving EC2 Instances Running 24/7
One of the most frequent mistakes is forgetting to stop or terminate EC2 instances. While the t2.micro instance is free for 750 hours/month, running multiple instances or exceeding the hour limit results in charges.
- Always stop instances when not in use—don’t just let them run.
- Use AWS Instance Scheduler to automate start/stop times based on your usage patterns.
- Check the EC2 dashboard regularly to identify running instances.
Remember: Stopping an instance preserves your data, while terminating deletes it permanently.
Ignoring Data Transfer Costs
The AWS Free Tier includes 15 GB of data transfer out to the internet per month. Once you exceed this, standard rates apply, which can add up quickly if you’re hosting a popular website or streaming content.
- Monitor your data transfer usage in the AWS Billing Dashboard.
- Use Amazon CloudFront (which has its own free tier) to cache content and reduce origin server load.
- Avoid large file downloads or video streaming unless absolutely necessary.
Data transfer is often overlooked but can be a major cost driver.
Not Cleaning Up S3 Buckets
While S3 offers 5 GB of free storage, storing more than that—even accidentally—triggers charges. Additionally, deleting objects doesn’t always remove all versions if versioning is enabled.
- Regularly audit your S3 buckets for unnecessary files.
- Enable lifecycle rules to automatically delete old objects after a set period.
- Disable versioning unless required for your use case.
“The cloud is forgiving, but your wallet might not be. Monitor, manage, and minimize.”
Real-World Use Cases for the AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier isn’t just for learning—it can power real applications and projects. Here are some practical examples of how individuals and small teams are using it effectively.
Hosting a Personal Portfolio Website
Developers and designers can host a static portfolio website using Amazon S3, Route 53 (free for the first year), and CloudFront (1 TB data transfer out free). This setup is cost-effective, scalable, and secure.
- Upload HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to an S3 bucket.
- Configure the bucket for static website hosting.
- Use CloudFront to improve load times and enable HTTPS.
This combination leverages multiple AWS Free Tier services to create a professional online presence at zero cost.
Building a Serverless To-Do App
A full-stack serverless application can be built using AWS Lambda, API Gateway (1 million free requests/month), DynamoDB (25 GB free), and S3 for frontend hosting.
- Lambda functions handle backend logic (e.g., adding, updating, deleting tasks).
- API Gateway exposes REST endpoints.
- DynamoDB stores user data securely.
This architecture scales automatically and incurs no cost for low-traffic apps, making it ideal for hobby projects or MVPs.
Learning Machine Learning with SageMaker
AWS SageMaker offers a 2-month free trial (not part of the standard Free Tier) and integrates with Free Tier services like S3 and Lambda. Users can build, train, and deploy machine learning models without upfront costs.
- Store datasets in S3.
- Use SageMaker notebooks for data exploration and model training.
- Deploy models as endpoints for testing.
While the full SageMaker service isn’t free forever, the trial period combined with Free Tier storage makes ML experimentation accessible.
What Happens After 12 Months?
The 12-month Free Tier expires automatically after one year. However, that doesn’t mean you have to stop using AWS. Many services remain free, and you can continue using AWS at low cost with careful planning.
Transitioning to Paid Usage
After the first year, services like EC2, RDS, and Elastic Load Balancing will start incurring charges based on usage. However, the Always Free Tier services (S3, Lambda, DynamoDB) continue to be available at no cost, within their limits.
- Review your active resources before the 12-month mark.
- Decide which services to keep and which to shut down.
- Optimize remaining resources for cost efficiency (e.g., switch to smaller instance types).
AWS sends email reminders as your free tier period nears expiration, giving you time to plan.
Downgrading or Closing Your Account
If you no longer need AWS, you can either downgrade to only use Always Free services or close your account entirely.
- To close your account, go to Account Settings and select “Close Account.”
- Ensure all resources are terminated and data is backed up before closing.
- Download your billing history for record-keeping.
Closing your account stops all charges, but you lose access to your AWS environment.
Continuing with Cost-Effective Strategies
Many users continue using AWS after the Free Tier by adopting cost-saving practices.
- Use Reserved Instances or Savings Plans for predictable workloads.
- Leverage Spot Instances for fault-tolerant, flexible applications.
- Monitor spending with AWS Cost Anomaly Detection.
The key is to shift from free to frugal—using AWS efficiently without overspending.
Is the AWS Free Tier really free?
Yes, the AWS Free Tier is genuinely free for eligible new users. You get access to a wide range of services at no cost for 12 months, plus several services that remain free indefinitely. However, you must stay within the usage limits to avoid charges.
Do I need a credit card to sign up for AWS Free Tier?
Yes, AWS requires a valid credit card during registration for identity verification and to charge you only if you exceed free usage limits. You won’t be charged as long as you stay within the Free Tier allowances.
Can I extend my AWS Free Tier beyond 12 months?
No, the 12-month Free Tier cannot be extended. However, the Always Free Tier services continue to be available indefinitely. You can also explore AWS Promotional Credits or educational programs like AWS Educate for additional free usage.
What happens if I exceed the Free Tier limits?
If you exceed the usage limits, AWS will charge you at standard pay-as-you-go rates. These charges can accumulate quickly, so it’s essential to monitor your usage and set up billing alerts.
Can I use the AWS Free Tier for a production website?
You can use the AWS Free Tier for small-scale production websites, especially if they have low traffic. Services like S3, Lambda, and DynamoDB are part of the Always Free Tier and can support lightweight applications indefinitely.
Wrapping up, the AWS Free Tier is an exceptional opportunity to explore cloud computing without financial risk. Whether you’re a student, developer, or entrepreneur, it provides the tools to learn, build, and innovate. By understanding the offerings, monitoring usage, and avoiding common mistakes, you can maximize its benefits and lay a strong foundation for your cloud journey. The free tier may expire, but the skills and experience you gain are priceless.
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