Verified free-tier limits
AWS Free Tier Limits: Credits and Duration
Up to 6 months with up to $200 in credits
Yes. New AWS customers can choose a Free plan that lasts for up to six months or until its credits are depleted, whichever happens first. AWS provides $100 in credits at signup and lets customers earn up to another $100 through activities, for a maximum of $200. The plan can use credits across more than 200 AWS services and also includes access to more than 30 always-free services.
How the current AWS Free plan works
AWS changed its new-customer offer in July 2025. Instead of treating every service as a single permanent free tier, the current Free plan combines a time-limited account with credits. A new customer receives $100 at signup and can earn as much as $100 more. The account stays on the Free plan for at most six months and can end sooner when the credit balance reaches zero. AWS says customers can upgrade to a Paid plan while the Free plan is active; remaining credits then continue to apply until their original expiry date. If the customer does not upgrade when the free period ends, AWS closes the account.
| Credit at signup | $100 |
|---|---|
| Additional earnable credit | Up to $100, for up to $200 total |
| Free-plan duration | Up to 6 months, or until credits run out |
| Service access | Credits across 200+ services; 30+ always-free services |
Where the free limits apply
- The Free plan is for new AWS customers creating an eligible account.
- The offer is not available in AWS GovCloud (US) or AWS China regions.
- Additional credits require completing the activities AWS identifies; the full $200 is not granted automatically.
How to start without an accidental bill
- 01 Start from AWS's official Free Tier page and choose the Free plan during account creation.
- 02 Confirm that the account shows the initial $100 credit and its expiration date.
- 03 Use the billing console and budgets to watch both service charges and the remaining credit balance.
- 04 Before six months or credit depletion, decide whether to upgrade to Paid or allow AWS to close the Free-plan account.
Limits to know before you choose
- The plan ends at the earlier of six months or credit depletion.
- Only $100 is granted at signup; the other $100 is activity based.
- Resources can create charges against the credit balance even when a service also advertises a free allowance.
- A customer who does not upgrade after the free period cannot keep the account running.
Verified alternatives
Only alternatives with a first-party education offer or free tier are listed here.
First-party sources
Offer terms can change. Each citation records exactly what it supports and when CostBench checked it.
- AWS — New Free Tier credit-based Free plan Six-month maximum, $100 initial and $100 earnable credits, service coverage, and regional exclusions.
- AWS — Free Tier FAQs Free-plan lifecycle, upgrade behavior, credit expiration, and account closure.
Frequently asked questions
01 How much credit does the AWS Free plan include?
AWS grants $100 at signup and offers activities that can earn up to $100 more, for a maximum of $200.
02 How long does AWS Free Tier last?
The current new-customer Free plan lasts up to six months, but it ends earlier if the available credits are depleted.
03 Is the full $200 AWS credit automatic?
No. The first $100 is granted at signup. The second $100 is the maximum that can be earned through eligible activities.
04 What happens when the AWS Free plan ends?
You can upgrade to a Paid plan while the offer is active. If you do not upgrade by the end of the free period, AWS says it closes the account.