Want to explore Amazon Web Services without spending a dime? The AWS Free Tier is your golden ticket to learning, testing, and launching real cloud projects—completely free for up to 12 months. Let’s dive into how you can maximize this powerful offer.
What Is the AWS Free Tier?
The AWS Free Tier is a generous program offered by Amazon Web Services that allows new users to access a wide range of cloud computing services at no cost. It’s designed to help individuals, startups, and developers experiment with AWS without financial risk. Whether you’re building a simple website or testing machine learning models, the Free Tier gives you hands-on experience with industry-leading tools.
Types of Free Tier Offers
AWS provides three distinct types of free offers under its Free Tier program, each serving different purposes and durations:
- Always Free: Certain services are permanently free, even after your first 12 months. These include limited usage of AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, and S3.
- 12-Month Free: Most popular services like EC2, RDS, and Elastic Beanstalk are free for the first year after account creation.
- Short-Term Trials: Some services offer limited-time free trials (e.g., 30 days) beyond the standard Free Tier, such as AWS Glue or Amazon SageMaker.
Understanding these categories helps you plan your cloud usage strategically and avoid unexpected charges.
How to Qualify for the AWS Free Tier
To qualify for the AWS Free Tier, you must be a new AWS customer. This means you haven’t used AWS before or haven’t had an active account in the past. Once you sign up for an AWS account using a valid email and credit card (yes, a card is required), you automatically gain access to the Free Tier benefits.
According to AWS’s official Free Tier page, the eligibility starts the moment you create your account and lasts for 12 months. There’s no special application—just sign up and start using eligible services within the usage limits.
“The AWS Free Tier lowers the barrier to entry for cloud computing, enabling anyone to learn and innovate without upfront costs.” — AWS Official Documentation
Top 7 Services Included in the AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier includes over 60 services across compute, storage, databases, networking, and more. Below are seven of the most valuable and widely used services available under the Free Tier, perfect for beginners and small projects.
Amazon EC2 (750 Hours/month)
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) is the backbone of AWS’s compute offering. Under the Free Tier, you get 750 hours per month of t2.micro or t3.micro instance usage for the first 12 months.
- You can run one instance continuously (24/7) or split the hours across multiple instances.
- Perfect for hosting websites, learning Linux, or running small applications.
- Available in select regions like US East (N. Virginia), US West (Oregon), and EU (Ireland).
It’s important to note that while the instance is free, additional charges may apply for data transfer beyond the free allowance or if you use EBS volumes over the free tier limit.
Amazon S3 (5 GB Storage)
Simple Storage Service (S3) is AWS’s scalable object storage. The Free Tier gives you 5 GB of storage, 20,000 GET requests, and 2,000 PUT requests per month for 12 months.
- Ideal for storing backups, static website files, or user uploads.
- Great for learning how to manage buckets, set permissions, and enable versioning.
- After 12 months, the S3 pricing applies based on usage.
Remember: S3 is “always free” for limited usage even after the first year, but only 5 GB is included in the 12-month offer.
Amazon RDS (750 Hours/month)
Relational Database Service (RDS) lets you run managed databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB. The Free Tier includes 750 hours of db.t3.micro instance usage per month for 12 months.
- Supports up to 20 GB of General Purpose (SSD) storage.
- Includes 20 million I/O requests and 5 GB of backup storage.
- Perfect for learning SQL, building apps with backend databases, or testing migrations.
Be cautious: if you exceed storage or I/O limits, AWS will charge standard rates. Always monitor your usage via AWS CloudWatch.
AWS Lambda (1 Million Free Requests)
Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs code in response to events. It’s part of the Always Free tier, meaning you get 1 million free requests and 400,000 GB-seconds of compute time every month—forever.
- No server management needed—ideal for microservices, automation, and APIs.
- Great for beginners learning event-driven architecture.
- Integrates seamlessly with S3, DynamoDB, and API Gateway.
Because it’s always free, Lambda is one of the most cost-effective ways to run small workloads indefinitely.
Amazon DynamoDB (25 GB Storage)
DynamoDB is a fast, fully managed NoSQL database. The Free Tier includes 25 GB of storage and 25 units of write capacity and 25 units of read capacity per month—forever.
- Perfect for mobile apps, gaming backends, and IoT data storage.
- No servers to manage, automatic scaling, and built-in security.
- Great for developers who want to avoid complex database administration.
Like Lambda, DynamoDB’s Free Tier never expires, making it a long-term asset for small-scale applications.
Amazon CloudWatch (10 Custom Metrics)
CloudWatch monitors your AWS resources and applications. The Free Tier includes 10 custom metrics, 10 alarms, and 1,000,000 API requests per month—forever.
- Track CPU usage, memory, and application logs.
- Set up alerts for unusual activity or performance drops.
- Essential for maintaining system health and optimizing costs.
While basic monitoring is free, advanced features like detailed logging or high-resolution alarms may incur charges.
AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) – Always Free
IAM is completely free and allows you to manage user access and permissions securely. Though not billed, it’s a critical part of the Free Tier ecosystem.
- Create users, groups, and roles with granular permissions.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for better security.
- Integrate with other AWS services to control access logically.
Using IAM properly ensures your Free Tier resources are protected from unauthorized access or misuse.
How to Sign Up for AWS Free Tier (Step-by-Step)
Getting started with the AWS Free Tier is straightforward. Follow these steps to create your account and begin using free services immediately.
Step 1: Visit the AWS Free Tier Page
Go to https://aws.amazon.com/free and click on “Create a Free Account.” This is the official entry point and ensures you’re eligible for all Free Tier benefits.
- Make sure you’re not already logged into an existing AWS account.
- The site will guide you through the registration process with clear prompts.
Step 2: Provide Your Information
You’ll need to enter your email address, create a password, and provide your name and company (optional). AWS uses this to personalize your experience and send important notifications.
- Use a real email you control—AWS will send verification and billing alerts here.
- Fill in accurate details to avoid verification issues later.
Step 3: Enter Payment Information
AWS requires a valid credit or debit card to prevent fraud and ensure accountability. Even though you won’t be charged during the Free Tier period, AWS verifies your identity through a small authorization hold (usually $1–$2, which is refunded).
- Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and others.
- The card is only used for verification; no automatic charges occur unless you exceed limits.
Don’t worry—AWS won’t charge you unless you explicitly upgrade or use services outside the Free Tier.
Step 4: Identity Verification
AWS will call you using an automated system to verify your phone number. You’ll need to enter the PIN displayed on the screen using your phone keypad.
- This step prevents fake accounts and ensures security.
- The call usually lasts less than a minute.
Once verified, your account is activated, and you can start launching resources.
Step 5: Explore the AWS Console
After signing up, you’ll be directed to the AWS Management Console. Here, you can access all services, monitor usage, and manage your resources.
- Use the search bar to find services like EC2, S3, or Lambda.
- Check the “Billing & Cost Management” dashboard to track your Free Tier usage.
- Bookmark the Free Tier dashboard for easy monitoring.
Maximizing Your AWS Free Tier Usage
Just having access to the Free Tier isn’t enough—you need to use it wisely to gain maximum value. Here’s how to stretch your free credits and avoid unexpected bills.
Monitor Your Usage Regularly
The most important habit is checking your usage dashboard. AWS provides detailed reports on how much of each service you’ve consumed.
- Go to the Billing & Cost Management console to view your Free Tier usage.
- Set up billing alerts to notify you when you approach or exceed free limits.
- Use AWS Budgets to define custom thresholds and receive email/SMS alerts.
Ignoring usage can lead to surprise charges—especially if you leave an EC2 instance running 24/7 without realizing it’s using your free hours.
Use Only Free Tier-Eligible Instances
Not all instance types are free. For EC2, only t2.micro and t3.micro qualify for the Free Tier. If you launch a t3.small or m5.large, you’ll be charged immediately.
- Always double-check the instance type during launch.
- Use AWS CLI or CloudFormation templates to automate free-tier-compliant deployments.
- Tag your resources (e.g., “Environment=FreeTier”) for easier tracking.
Similarly, for RDS, ensure you select db.t3.micro and not a larger instance.
Leverage Always-Free Services for Long-Term Projects
While the 12-month offers expire, services like Lambda, DynamoDB, and CloudWatch remain free forever (within limits). Design your applications around these to keep costs at zero long-term.
- Build serverless apps using Lambda + API Gateway + DynamoDB.
- Host static websites on S3 with CloudFront for faster delivery.
- Use Route 53’s free tier (first year) for domain registration and DNS management.
By focusing on always-free services, you can maintain functional applications indefinitely without paying a cent.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with AWS Free Tier
Many users accidentally incur charges despite intending to stay within the Free Tier. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Leaving EC2 Instances Running Unnecessarily
One of the biggest mistakes is launching an EC2 instance and forgetting to terminate it. Even if it’s idle, it consumes your free hours and may lead to charges if you exceed the 750-hour monthly limit.
- Always stop or terminate instances when not in use.
- Use AWS Instance Scheduler to automatically start/stop instances based on a schedule.
- Consider using AWS Lambda for short-lived tasks instead of keeping EC2 running.
Exceeding Data Transfer Limits
The Free Tier includes 15 GB of data transfer out to the internet per month. If your website gets popular or you stream large files, you can quickly exceed this.
- Monitor data transfer via CloudWatch metrics.
- Use Amazon CloudFront (CDN) to reduce origin load and optimize delivery.
- Avoid large downloads or video streaming on free-tier resources.
Data transfer costs can add up fast—$0.09/GB after the first 10 TB, but even small overages can trigger charges.
Using Non-Free Regions or Services
Some AWS regions or services aren’t covered by the Free Tier. For example, GPU instances or services like Amazon Redshift aren’t free, even for new users.
- Stick to supported regions like us-east-1 (N. Virginia).
- Check the full Free Tier list before launching any service.
- Avoid services marked as “trial” unless you plan to shut them down after 30 days.
“The AWS Free Tier is not a loophole—it’s a learning platform. Treat it with respect, and it will serve you well.” — Cloud Architect, AWS Certified Professional
Real-World Projects You Can Build on AWS Free Tier
The AWS Free Tier isn’t just for learning—it’s powerful enough to host real, functional applications. Here are five practical projects you can build and deploy for free.
Personal Portfolio Website on S3
Host a static website using Amazon S3. You can upload HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and images to create a professional portfolio.
- Enable static website hosting in S3 bucket properties.
- Use Route 53 (first year free) to connect a custom domain.
- Add HTTPS with AWS Certificate Manager (ACM), which is also free.
This is a great way to showcase your skills without paying for web hosting.
Serverless To-Do App with Lambda & DynamoDB
Build a full-stack serverless application using AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and DynamoDB—all within the Free Tier.
- Create REST APIs with Lambda functions.
- Store tasks in DynamoDB (25 GB free forever).
- Frontend can be hosted on S3 or GitHub Pages.
This project teaches modern cloud architecture and scales effortlessly.
Automated Backup System with S3 & Lambda
Create a script that automatically backs up files from your local machine or EC2 instance to S3 using Lambda and EventBridge.
- Trigger Lambda every 24 hours to upload logs or databases.
- Use IAM roles to grant secure access.
- Enable versioning and lifecycle policies in S3 for better management.
Perfect for learning automation and disaster recovery concepts.
Monitoring Dashboard with CloudWatch
Set up a dashboard to monitor your EC2 instance’s CPU, memory, and disk usage using CloudWatch.
- Create custom metrics and alarms.
- Receive email alerts when CPU usage exceeds 80%.
- Visualize data with graphs and widgets.
This helps you understand system performance and optimize resource usage.
Chatbot with Amazon Lex
Build a conversational AI chatbot using Amazon Lex (powered by Alexa technology). The first 10,000 text requests and 5,000 speech requests per month are free for 12 months.
- Integrate with websites, Slack, or Facebook Messenger.
- Train intents and entities for customer support or FAQs.
- Combine with Lambda for backend logic.
A fun way to explore AI and natural language processing.
What Happens After 12 Months?
Your AWS Free Tier eligibility ends exactly 12 months after account creation. After that, you’ll be charged standard pay-as-you-go rates for any services you continue using.
Automatic Transition to Paid Services
There’s no interruption in service—your EC2 instances, databases, and storage will keep running. However, you’ll start accruing charges based on actual usage.
- EC2 t3.micro costs around $9.50/month after free tier.
- S3 storage is $0.023/GB/month for the first 50 TB.
- RDS db.t3.micro is approximately $15/month.
To avoid surprises, review your running resources a few weeks before the 12-month mark.
Strategies to Stay on a Budget Post-Free Tier
You don’t have to stop using AWS after the Free Tier ends. Here’s how to keep costs low:
- Downsize or terminate unused resources.
- Switch to reserved instances or savings plans for predictable workloads.
- Continue using always-free services like Lambda and DynamoDB.
- Use AWS Cost Explorer to analyze spending patterns.
Many developers maintain small projects for under $5/month by optimizing usage.
Can You Extend the Free Tier?
No, AWS does not extend the 12-month Free Tier. Each customer is eligible only once. Creating a new account to get another Free Tier is against AWS’s Acceptable Use Policy.
- Repeated attempts may result in account suspension.
- Students can explore AWS Educate for extended benefits.
- Startups may qualify for AWS Activate credits.
Instead of trying to game the system, focus on building skills that will help you manage costs effectively.
FAQs About AWS Free Tier
Is the AWS Free Tier really free?
Yes, the AWS Free Tier is completely free for new users for 12 months, as long as you stay within the usage limits of eligible services. You must provide a valid credit card for identity verification, but AWS will not charge you unless you exceed the free tier limits or use non-free services.
What happens if I exceed the Free Tier limits?
If you go over the free usage limits, AWS will charge you at standard pay-as-you-go rates. For example, if you use more than 750 hours of EC2 in a month, you’ll be charged for the extra hours. AWS sends billing alerts, so monitoring your usage can help prevent unexpected charges.
Can I use the AWS Free Tier for commercial projects?
Yes, you can use the Free Tier for commercial purposes, as long as you comply with AWS’s terms of service. However, be cautious about scalability and data transfer costs. If your project becomes popular, it may quickly exceed free limits and incur charges.
Are all AWS regions covered by the Free Tier?
Most major regions like US East (N. Virginia), US West (Oregon), and EU (Ireland) support the Free Tier. However, some newer or specialized regions may not offer all free services. Always check the official Free Tier page for region-specific availability.
Does AWS Free Tier include support?
The Free Tier includes access to basic support, which means you can use the AWS Documentation, Forums, and Trusted Advisor checks (limited). For technical support, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid support plan like Developer, Business, or Enterprise.
By now, you’ve seen how powerful and accessible the AWS Free Tier can be. From launching your first EC2 instance to building a serverless application, this program opens the door to real-world cloud experience. The key is to use it wisely—monitor your usage, avoid common pitfalls, and focus on learning. Whether you’re a student, developer, or entrepreneur, the AWS Free Tier is an unbeatable starting point for your cloud journey. Start today, build something amazing, and let the cloud work for you—without spending a penny.
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