If you’re a beginner in cloud computing, a startup founder, or a developer testing ideas, free cloud credits can be a game changer. Two of the biggest players AWS Free Tier and Azure Free Tier offer generous free usage options.
But the real question is:
Which free tier is better for learning, hosting small projects, and experimenting in 2026?
In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down pricing, compute limits, storage, databases, AI services, and real-world use cases to help you decide.
What is AWS Free Tier?
The AWS Free Tier from Amazon Web Services offers three types of free access:
- 12-Month Free Tier (limited to first year)
- Always Free Tier (available indefinitely)
- Free Trials (short-term service trials)
Key AWS Free Tier Features
- 750 hours/month of Amazon EC2 (t2.micro or t3.micro)
- 5GB of Amazon S3 storage
- 750 hours of Amazon RDS (db.t3.micro)
- 1 million requests via AWS Lambda (Always Free)
- 25GB of Amazon DynamoDB storage (Always Free)
✅ Best for:
- Beginners learning cloud
- Hosting small websites
- Testing backend APIs
- Learning DevOps tools
What is Azure Free Tier?
The Azure Free Account from Microsoft Azure provides:
- $200 free credit for 30 days
- 12 months of popular services free
- Always Free services
Key Azure Free Tier Features
- 750 hours of Linux/Windows VM (B1S)
- 5GB of Blob Storage
- 250GB SQL Database (limited performance tier)
- 1 million requests via Azure Functions
- $200 credit usable on any Azure service (first 30 days)
✅ Best for:
- Enterprises testing Microsoft ecosystem
- Developers using .NET
- Hybrid cloud environments
AWS Free Tier vs Azure Free Tier: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AWS Free Tier | Azure Free Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Free Credits | No large upfront credit | $200 for 30 days |
| Compute | 750 hrs EC2 | 750 hrs VM |
| Serverless | 1M Lambda requests (Always Free) | 1M Azure Functions |
| Storage | 5GB S3 | 5GB Blob |
| Database | 750 hrs RDS + DynamoDB Always Free | 250GB SQL DB (limited tier) |
| Duration | 12 months + some Always Free | 30-day credit + 12 months free services |
Pricing After Free Tier Ends
This is where many beginners make mistakes.
- AWS charges per second (for most services)
- Azure charges per second/minute depending on service
- Azure’s $200 credit can disappear quickly if using high-end VMs
- AWS micro instances are generally cheaper for long-term small workloads
Important SEO Keyword Insight:
Many users search for “Is AWS Free Tier really free?” Yes, but exceeding limits leads to charges.
Performance & Ease of Use
AWS
- More mature ecosystem
- Larger global infrastructure
- Huge documentation library
- Slightly steeper learning curve
Azure
- Cleaner UI for beginners
- Strong integration with Windows Server
- Ideal for .NET developers
Which Free Tier is Better for Beginners?
If you are:
A Student Learning Cloud
Choose AWS Free Tier (more Always Free services like Lambda & DynamoDB).
A Startup Testing MVP
AWS is safer for long-term cost control.
Enterprise Testing Hybrid Setup
Azure may be better due to Microsoft integration.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Both platforms can charge for:
- Data transfer (outbound traffic)
- Extra storage
- Premium support plans
- Idle public IP addresses
⚠️ Always enable billing alerts.
AWS vs Azure Free Tier for DevOps Learning
AWS provides:
- CloudFormation
- CodePipeline
- IAM practice
- Rich DevOps ecosystem
Azure provides:
- Azure DevOps
- Strong Active Directory integration
- Enterprise compliance tools
For certification paths:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Pros and Cons
AWS Free Tier Pros
✔ More Always Free services
✔ Strong startup ecosystem
✔ Better for serverless practice
AWS Free Tier Cons
✖ No upfront large credit
✖ Billing complexity
Azure Free Tier Pros
✔ $200 upfront credit
✔ Enterprise-friendly
✔ Easier Windows integration
Azure Free Tier Cons
✖ Credit expires in 30 days
✖ Fewer Always Free services
Final Verdict: AWS Free Tier vs Azure Free Tier
If you want long-term free usage for learning and side projects, AWS Free Tier wins.
If you want short-term experimentation with higher-tier services using $200 credit, Azure Free Tier is attractive.
For most beginners in 2026, AWS Free Tier offers more sustainable value.
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