Leveraging Free Tiers for Free Windows and Ubuntu VPS
Many major cloud service providers offer 'Free Tier' packages that allow you to use a virtual private server (VPS) with basic configurations at no cost.
Tech giants all have attractive programs for new users.
These packages are perfect for learning, developing small projects, or running lightweight tools. Here are some top options.
1. Oracle Cloud 'Always Free'
This is one of the most generous free packages. Oracle provides 'Always Free' resources, including ARM-based virtual machines with quite powerful specs. You can install Ubuntu and many other Linux operating systems.
2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Free Tier
GCP offers one free e2-micro virtual machine per month, enough to run a small website or a bot on Ubuntu. Additionally, new users receive $300 in credit to experience other services for 90 days.
3. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Free Tier
Similar to GCP, AWS provides 750 hours of free t2.micro or t3.micro virtual machine usage per month for the first year. You can install both Windows Server and Ubuntu on these instances.
Important Notes
Most of these providers require credit card information (Visa/Mastercard) upon registration for identity verification, but they will not charge you if you only use resources within the Free Tier limits.
- Read the limits carefully: Make sure you understand the limits on CPU, RAM, storage, and bandwidth of the free package to avoid unexpected costs.
- No Windows 10: Cloud platforms typically offer Windows Server (e.g., Windows Server 2019) instead of Windows 10, but the interface and basic functionality are similar.
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