Both AWS and Google Cloud let a new customer start without paying, but the rules differ. AWS gives new accounts credits on a Free plan that closes after 6 months or when the credits run out, and it's limited to select services until you upgrade. Google Cloud gives new customers free credit plus 20+ products with free monthly usage that isn't taken from that credit. Choose by the services you'll use, then by which free route lasts longer for you.
Comparisons of the two clouds usually start with long lists of services. For a small business the first question is simpler: what can I try, for how long, and what happens when it ends? I read AWS's Free Tier and global infrastructure pages and Google Cloud's free programme, locations and why Google Cloud pages.
AWS and Google Cloud starting options
| AWS | Google Cloud | |
|---|---|---|
| New customer offer | Credits on a Free plan | Free credit to try products |
| How long | Up to 6 months, or until credits run out | Not charged until you activate a full paid account |
| Ongoing free usage | Free usage of select services | 20+ products free up to monthly limits |
| Access to every service | Only after moving to a Paid plan | Free tier covers named products only |
| What happens at the end | Account closes on its own | You choose to activate a paid account |
| Kubernetes trial | Not covered on the pages I read | GKE free for 90 days |
| Footprint | 124 Availability Zones in 39 Regions | 43 Regions |
The AWS rule that catches people out
AWS's Free Tier page is unusually direct about the end date. It says the account closes on its own 6 months after you open it or when your credits run out, whichever comes first, and that you won't be charged unless you convert to a Paid plan. The Free plan is also limited to select services, and promotional credits are only for Paid plan accounts. If you've read about a 12-month free tier, that isn't what this page describes now, so plan your trial project to finish inside six months or upgrade before it closes.
Where Google Cloud's free route goes further
Google Cloud splits its offer in two. New customers get free credit for a proof of concept, and separately more than 20 products, including AI APIs, Compute Engine and BigQuery, have free usage up to monthly limits that isn't charged against that credit. Google also lists a 90-day free GKE trial and a Cloud SQL trial. Its why Google Cloud page leans on security, citing more than 40K vulnerabilities Google found in open source projects.
Where AWS stands out
AWS's case is breadth. The Paid plan opens access to all AWS services, and its global infrastructure page says the AWS Cloud spans 124 Availability Zones within 39 Regions, with three Availability Zones per Region. Google's locations page lists 43 Regions of its own. If you already know you'll need a specific AWS service, such as one your software vendor supports, it makes sense to start there and use the Free plan credits to build your first version.
How to choose your first cloud
- Write down the three services you'll use first.
- Check which provider includes them in its free route.
- Note the date your free period or credit ends.
- Set a spending alert before you switch on anything paid.
- Pick the region closest to your customers.
For background, here's why some teams say AWS suits their business, and my explainer on what cloud hosting does for a website.
My advice on AWS or Google Cloud
If you're experimenting and want free usage that keeps going month after month, Google Cloud's always-free products are the easier place to learn, especially if you'll use BigQuery or its AI APIs. If your tools, contractors or software partners already work on AWS, start there, but put the 6-month closing date in your calendar on day one. Either way, switch on a spending alert before you leave the free route.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the AWS Free plan last?
AWS says the account closes on its own 6 months after you open it or when your credits run out, whichever comes first.
Does Google Cloud have an always-free tier?
Yes. Google lists 20+ products with free usage up to monthly limits, and that usage isn't charged against your free credit.
Can I use every AWS service on the Free plan?
No. AWS says the Free plan is limited to select services. You get access to all services on a Paid plan.
Will Google Cloud charge me automatically?
Google says you won't be charged until you activate your full paid account.
Does Google Cloud offer a Kubernetes trial?
Yes. Google lists a GKE free trial for 90 days with the full set of product capabilities.
