Welcome, Dev! As a developer, you know the importance of reliable and affordable cloud server hosting. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top free cloud server hosting providers, along with their features and benefits. Let’s dive in!
1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most popular cloud server hosting providers available. While they are primarily known for their paid services, they also offer a free tier that includes 750 hours per month of Linux or Windows t2.micro instance usage for up to 12 months. They also offer a variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting.
The AWS free tier is perfect for developers who want to experiment with cloud hosting without committing to a paid plan. However, keep in mind that any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees.
Benefits of AWS Free Tier
- 750 hours per month of Linux or Windows t2.micro instance usage for up to 12 months
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Flexible and scalable hosting solutions
Drawbacks of AWS Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
2. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure offers a free tier that includes 12 months of free services, as well as a $200 credit to use within the first 30 days of signing up. This free tier includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
Like AWS, Microsoft Azure is primarily known for their paid services, but their free tier is a great option for developers looking to experiment with cloud hosting.
Benefits of Microsoft Azure Free Tier
- 12 months of free services
- $200 credit to use within the first 30 days of signing up
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Integration with other Microsoft products such as Visual Studio
Drawbacks of Microsoft Azure Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
3. Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier that includes a $300 credit to use within the first 12 months of signing up. This free tier includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
While Google Cloud Platform is primarily known for their paid services, their free tier is a great option for developers looking to experiment with cloud hosting.
Benefits of Google Cloud Platform Free Tier
- $300 credit to use within the first 12 months of signing up
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Integration with other Google products such as Firebase
Drawbacks of Google Cloud Platform Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
4. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure offers a free tier that includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes 2,000 free hours of Oracle Autonomous Database usage per month.
While Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is primarily known for their paid services, their free tier is a great option for developers looking to experiment with cloud hosting.
Benefits of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Free Tier
- A variety of free services, such as storage and database hosting
- 2,000 free hours of Oracle Autonomous Database usage per month
- Integration with other Oracle products such as Java Cloud Service
Drawbacks of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
5. IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud offers a free tier that includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes 256 MB of Cloud Foundry memory and 5 GB of object storage.
While IBM Cloud is primarily known for their paid services, their free tier is a great option for developers looking to experiment with cloud hosting.
Benefits of IBM Cloud Free Tier
- A variety of free services, such as storage and database hosting
- 256 MB of Cloud Foundry memory and 5 GB of object storage
- Integration with other IBM products such as Watson Assistant
Drawbacks of IBM Cloud Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
6. Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud offers a free tier that includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes 40 free products and services.
While Alibaba Cloud is primarily known for their paid services, their free tier is a great option for developers looking to experiment with cloud hosting.
Benefits of Alibaba Cloud Free Tier
- A variety of free services, such as storage and database hosting
- 40 free products and services
- Integration with other Alibaba products such as ApsaraDB for RDS
Drawbacks of Alibaba Cloud Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
7. Heroku
Heroku offers a free tier that includes 550 free dyno hours per month, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes the ability to host up to 5 applications.
Heroku is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy their web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of Heroku Free Tier
- 550 free dyno hours per month
- The ability to host up to 5 applications
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of Heroku Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 1 GB of storage
8. Firebase
Firebase offers a free tier that includes hosting for up to 1 GB of data, as well as a variety of other services such as authentication and database hosting. The free tier also includes 10 GB of outbound data transfer per month.
Firebase is a great option for developers who want to easily integrate authentication and database management into their applications.
Benefits of Firebase Free Tier
- Hosting for up to 1 GB of data
- A variety of other free services, such as authentication and database hosting
- 10 GB of outbound data transfer per month
Drawbacks of Firebase Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 100 simultaneous connections
9. DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean offers a free tier that includes $100 in credit to use within the first 60 days of signing up. This free tier includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
DigitalOcean is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of DigitalOcean Free Tier
- $100 in credit to use within the first 60 days of signing up
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of DigitalOcean Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 1 GB of storage
10. Vultr
Vultr offers a free tier that includes $100 in credit to use within the first 30 days of signing up. This free tier includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
Vultr is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of Vultr Free Tier
- $100 in credit to use within the first 30 days of signing up
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of Vultr Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 25 GB of storage
11. Scaleway
Scaleway offers a free tier that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes 50 GB of outgoing traffic per month.
Scaleway is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of Scaleway Free Tier
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- 50 GB of outgoing traffic per month
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of Scaleway Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 20 GB of storage
12. OVHcloud
OVHcloud offers a free tier that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes 10 GB of object storage.
OVHcloud is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of OVHcloud Free Tier
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- 10 GB of object storage
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of OVHcloud Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 25 GB of monthly data transfer
13. UpCloud
UpCloud offers a free tier that includes $25 in credit to use within the first 7 days of signing up. This free tier includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
UpCloud is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of UpCloud Free Tier
- $25 in credit to use within the first 7 days of signing up
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of UpCloud Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 25 GB of monthly data transfer
14. DreamHost
DreamHost offers a free tier that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free tier also includes a custom control panel and unlimited bandwidth.
DreamHost is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of DreamHost Free Tier
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Custom control panel
- Unlimited bandwidth
Drawbacks of DreamHost Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 512 MB of storage
15. Cloudways
Cloudways offers a free trial that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free trial lasts for 3 days.
Cloudways is a great option for developers who want to test out their platform before committing to a paid plan.
Benefits of Cloudways Free Trial
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Flexible and scalable hosting solutions
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of Cloudways Free Trial
- The trial only lasts for 3 days
- Any usage over the free trial limits will result in additional fees
16. OpenStack
OpenStack offers a free tier that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting.
OpenStack is a great option for developers who want to easily deploy web applications without worrying about server management.
Benefits of OpenStack Free Tier
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- Easily deploy web applications
Drawbacks of OpenStack Free Tier
- Any usage over the free tier limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 50 GB of storage
17. Kamatera
Kamatera offers a free trial that includes a Linux or Windows virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free trial lasts for 30 days.
Kamatera is a great option for developers who want to test out their platform before committing to a paid plan.
Benefits of Kamatera Free Trial
- A variety of other free services, such as storage and database hosting
- The trial lasts for 30 days
- Flexible and scalable hosting solutions
Drawbacks of Kamatera Free Trial
- Any usage over the free trial limits will result in additional fees
- Limited to 20 GB of storage
18. Linode
Linode offers a free trial that includes a Linux virtual machine, as well as a variety of other services such as storage and database hosting. The free trial lasts for 7 days.
Linode is a great option for developers who want to test out their platform before committing to a paid plan.