In the world of web hosting, choosing the right VPS (Virtual Private Server) can greatly impact your website’s performance, security, and flexibility. Yet, VPS hosting can be costly, especially for individuals, startups, or small businesses on tight budgets. Fortunately, some providers offer free VPS hosting plans, allowing users to access essential features without financial strain. In this post, we’ll look the top 10 free VPS hosting services available in 2024, highlighting each provider’s unique advantages and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed choice about choosing the right VPS hosting service for your project.
1. Kamatera – 30-Day Free Trial with Flexible Options
Kamatera is a reliable cloud services provider with over 20 years in the industry. Known for its high scalability and versatility, Kamatera offers a 30-day free trial with full access to their VPS hosting features. This trial includes up to $100 in usage, which is ideal for testing high-performance configurations without commitment.
- Key Features: Customizable server specifications, up to 13 global data centers, dedicated IP address, SSD storage, scalable RAM and CPU.
- Advantages:
- Flexible server configuration options
- Dedicated IP and full root access
- Scalable resources, suitable for testing larger applications
- Disadvantages:
- Trial period limited to 30 days
- Advanced configuration options may require technical knowledge
Explore Kamatera’s Free Trial VPS
2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP) – Free Tier with Limited Resources
Google Cloud Platform offers a free tier suitable for low-traffic applications, with limited but valuable features for testing purposes. While the Google Cloud free tier isn’t a full-fledged VPS, it includes a micro-instance with 1 vCPU and 0.6 GB RAM, ideal for small websites or development projects.
- Key Features: Micro VM with 1 vCPU, Google’s renowned infrastructure, 24/7 support, strong security options.
- Advantages:
- Industry-leading infrastructure and reliability
- Free tier available indefinitely for small usage needs
- Extensive documentation and community support
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to micro-instance, unsuitable for high-traffic sites
- Complexity in managing resources for beginners
Learn More About GCP Free Tier
3. AWS Free Tier – Robust Ecosystem with a 12-Month Free VPS
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a year-long free tier, providing VPS hosting on their EC2 micro instance with 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM. While limited in power, AWS’s free tier is highly valuable for developers needing a secure, scalable environment for lightweight applications.
- Key Features: EC2 micro instance, SSD-backed storage, a massive suite of AWS tools, full access to AWS support resources.
- Advantages:
- 12-month duration for extended testing
- Excellent infrastructure with high uptime
- Integration with a vast suite of AWS services
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to 1 GB RAM, which restricts larger projects
- Complex interface may overwhelm beginners
Get Started with AWS Free Tier
4. Azure Free Account – Microsoft’s Reliable VPS Hosting for 12 Months
Microsoft Azure provides a 12-month free account with access to their B1S virtual machine, which includes 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM. Azure’s extensive suite of tools and integrations makes it ideal for developers and businesses using Microsoft services.
- Key Features: B1S virtual machine, scalable cloud infrastructure, comprehensive integrations with Microsoft software.
- Advantages:
- 12-month period allows ample testing time
- High-performance infrastructure and reliability
- Integrated tools for users of Microsoft services
- Disadvantages:
- Limited computing power on free tier
- Steeper learning curve due to advanced features
5. Oracle Cloud Free Tier – Unique Free VPS with Always-Free Instances
Oracle Cloud stands out by offering two “always free” virtual machines, each with 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM. This makes it a great option for ongoing, small-scale applications that need consistent performance without significant costs.
- Key Features: Two always-free instances, 1 TB monthly outbound data, block and object storage, robust security features.
- Advantages:
- Ideal for long-term, low-traffic applications
- Generous outbound data allowance
- Always free with no expiration on basic usage
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to 1 GB RAM and 1 vCPU, unsuitable for larger projects
- Requires an Oracle account, which may have complex registration steps
Check Out Oracle Cloud Free Tier
6. Alibaba Cloud – VPS Trial for 12 Months with Basic Instances
Alibaba Cloud offers a 12-month free VPS trial on its ECS (Elastic Compute Service) with a burstable t5 instance. This instance comes with 1 vCPU and 1 GB RAM, providing a suitable environment for testing lightweight applications on a reliable global infrastructure.
- Key Features: Burstable t5 instance, access to additional cloud products, reliable data centers in multiple regions.
- Advantages:
- 12-month free trial with reliable infrastructure
- Ideal for testing applications targeting Asian markets
- Burstable instance provides extra processing power when needed
- Disadvantages:
- Limited processing power; burstable instance may throttle under sustained load
- Interface may be challenging for non-Chinese speakers
Learn More About Alibaba Cloud Free Trial
7. Hostinger VPS Trial – Affordable and Feature-Rich, Limited-Time Free Trial
Hostinger offers a limited-time free VPS hosting trial, though their primary appeal is low-cost plans rather than an indefinite free tier. Hostinger’s VPS plans are user-friendly and support a wide range of control panels and development environments, making it a solid choice for new users.
- Key Features: SSD storage, dedicated IP, customizable server options, user-friendly interface.
- Advantages:
- Easy setup process with user-friendly dashboard
- SSD storage ensures fast performance
- Support for multiple control panels, ideal for users accustomed to cPanel or Plesk
- Disadvantages:
- Short trial period, requiring payment after the initial period
- Limited free tier options compared to other hosts
8. Vultr – $100 Free Credit for 30 Days on High-Performance VPS
Vultr provides a free $100 credit for new users, which can be applied to their VPS hosting services for up to 30 days. Vultr’s offerings are suitable for developers and businesses who need high-performance options with flexible configurations.
- Key Features: Customizable server plans, SSD storage, up to 12 global locations, high-performance CPUs.
- Advantages:
- Flexible and scalable options for testing
- High-performance infrastructure and 12 data centers worldwide
- Full root access for complete control over the server environment
- Disadvantages:
- Limited to 30 days unless continued with paid plans
- $100 credit may limit usage for high-cost configurations
Get Started with Vultr’s Free Credit
9. DigitalOcean – $200 Free Credit for 60 Days with a Developer-Friendly Platform
DigitalOcean offers a $200 free credit valid for 60 days, allowing users to test their high-performance VPS hosting services. Known for its simplicity and developer-friendly interface, DigitalOcean is ideal for testing projects in a VPS environment.
- Key Features: Droplets (VPS instances), SSD storage, extensive documentation, one-click app installations.
- Advantages:
- Generous credit for testing large projects
- Easy to deploy applications with one-click installs
- Excellent support and active developer community
- Disadvantages:
- Credit only lasts for 60 days
- Limited to usage within the $200 credit amount
Explore DigitalOcean’s Free Credit
10. Linode – $100 Free Credit for 60 Days with Reliable VPS Options
Linode provides new users with $100 in free credit, valid for 60 days, on their robust VPS hosting platform. Linode’s reputation for reliability and support makes it an attractive choice for businesses and developers who want a strong testing environment.
- Key Features: Customizable server configurations, SSD storage, dedicated IP address, user-friendly control panel.
- Advantages:
- Developer-friendly platform with detailed documentation
- Reliable performance with full root access
- Flexible VPS options for various project needs
- Disadvantages:
- Free credit limited to 60 days
- Credit may be quickly exhausted for high-resource configurations
Check Out Linode’s Free Credit Offer
Comparison Table for the Top 10 Free VPS Hosting Services
| Hosting Service | Free Tier Duration | RAM | vCPU | Storage Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamatera | 30 Days | Custom | Custom | SSD | Flexible configurations | Limited to 30-day trial |
| Google Cloud | Always Free | 0.6GB | 1 | SSD | Reliable infrastructure | Limited to micro-instance |
| AWS | 12 Months | 1GB | 1 | SSD | Long-term free tier | Limited processing power |
| Azure | 12 Months | 1GB | 1 | SSD | Microsoft integration | Limited to B1S instance |
| Oracle Cloud | Always Free | 1GB | 1 | SSD | Two free instances | Requires Oracle account |
| Alibaba Cloud | 12 Months | 1GB | 1 | SSD | Burstable instances for flexibility | Limited to specific regions |
| Hostinger | Short Trial | Varies | Varies | SSD | User-friendly | Short trial period |
| Vultr | 30 Days | Custom | Custom | SSD | $100 credit for flexible testing | Limited to 30-day usage |
| DigitalOcean | 60 Days | Custom | Custom | SSD | $200 credit | 60-day limit on free credit |
| Linode | 60 Days | Custom | Custom | SSD | Reliable, developer-friendly | 60-day limit on free credit |