How to Sign Up and Use the AWS Free Tier: A Complete Guide

1. Core Advantages: Flexible Plans for All Stages

1. 12-Month Free Tier
   • Access 100+ cloud services for new users, ideal for building websites, developing apps, or testing ideas, valid for 12 months from registration.
2. Permanent Free Services
   • Unlimited access to foundational tools like serverless computing and SSL certificates, perfect for long-term lightweight applications.
3. Short-Term Trials
   • Limited-time access to advanced features like AI/ML and big data analytics for exploring complex technologies.

2. Three Plan Types: Choose What Fits

1. 12-Month Free Tier (New Users Only)

• Eligibility: 12 months of free access to 100+ services in global regions or 40+ core services in China.
• Key Services:
  • Compute: Amazon EC2 (750 hours/month, 1vCPU, 1GB RAM), Lightsail (3-month free tier).
  • Storage: Amazon S3 (5GB standard storage), EBS (30GB block storage).
  • Database: Amazon RDS (750 hours/month, 20GB SSD).

2. Permanent Free Services (Always Available)

• No Expiry: Use indefinitely after sign-up.
• Core Resources:
  • Serverless: Lambda (1M requests, 3.2M seconds of compute/month).
  • Security: AWS Certificate Manager (free public SSL/TLS certificates).
  • Collaboration: Amazon Chime (free video conferencing and chat).

3. Short-Term Trials (Limited Duration)

• Trial Period: 30 days or specified time after first activation.
• Advanced Features:
  • Machine Learning: SageMaker (2-month free tier for model training).
  • Analytics: Athena (first TB of data query free).

3. Service List: Full Breakdown by Category

(A) Compute & Deployment

(B) Storage & CDN

(C) Database Services

(D) AI & Machine Learning

4. Sign-Up & Usage: 3 Simple Steps

1. Get Ready

• Eligibility: New users with a valid email, phone number, and credit card (for identity verification, no upfront charges).
• Region Choice:
  • Global Regions: For international projects with full service access.
  • China Regions: For local compliance, operated by Ningxia/Beijing partners.

2. Sign Up in 10 Minutes

3. Cost Management Tips

• Track Usage: Use AWS Budgets to set alerts for potential overages.
• Prioritize Permanent Services: Use Lambda for serverless tasks and S3 for static files to save 12-month tier credits.
• Region Switch: Select the correct region in the console to use corresponding free tier resources.

5. FAQs: Clear Answers to Common Questions

1. Who can apply for the Free Tier?

• Only new users who haven’t activated paid AWS services, with one account per email/credit card.

2. Why provide a credit card?

• For identity verification and fraud prevention; no charges occur within the 12-month free period if limits are not exceeded.

3. What happens after 12 months?

• Automatically switches to “Pay-as-You-Go” for usage beyond free limits (check service pricing pages for rates).
• Continue using permanent free services at no cost without further action.

4. Difference between China and global regions?

• Service Scope: China offers 40+ core services; global regions include advanced tools like Lambda and SageMaker.
• Data Compliance: China regions store data locally, suitable for domestic businesses.

5. How to avoid unexpected charges?

• Regularly review the “Cost & Usage” console, stop unused resources (e.g., EC2 instances, S3 buckets), and confirm service eligibility before use.

Conclusion: Unlock AWS for Free