Introduction

Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a wide range of cloud computing services—and for new users, startups, educators, and nonprofits, they provide AWS free credits to help you explore and build without upfront costs. In 2025, AWS has expanded its credit programs, making it easier than ever to launch your product, test your workloads, or run educational projects on the world’s most popular cloud platform.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about AWS free credits—how they work, who qualifies, how to claim them, and how to make the most of them.

What Are AWS Free Credits?

AWS free credits are monetary credits provided by Amazon Web Services that can be used to offset the cost of eligible AWS services. These credits function like a gift card—they reduce your bill until they’re fully used or expired.

Credits can range from $100 to over $100,000, depending on the program and your eligibility.

Who Can Get AWS Free Credits in 2025?

AWS offers credit programs for multiple user segments:

1. Startups

  • Through AWS Activate (Founders, Portfolio)

  • Credits range from $1,000 to $100,000

2. Students and Educators

  • AWS Educate Program

  • Up to $100 in credits for eligible students

  • Classroom credits for instructors

3. Nonprofits

  • AWS Imagine Grant & AWS for Nonprofits

  • Credits up to $5,000–$10,000

4. Hackathons & Bootcamps

  • AWS sponsors credits for events

  • Apply directly or through organizers

5. New AWS Accounts (Free Tier)

  • 12-month free tier for new users

Always Free services: Lambda, DynamoDB, S3 (limited usage)

How to Claim AWS Free Credits

. AWS Activate (for Startups)

2. AWS Educate (for Students & Teachers)

3. Nonprofits (via TechSoup or AWS for Nonprofits)

4. AWS Free Tier for New Accounts

Receive 12-month and always-free service limits

Programs That Include AWS Free Credits

Program

Audience

Credit Amount

Duration

AWS Activate Founders

Bootstrapped Startups

$1,000–$2,000

2 years

AWS Activate Portfolio

VC/Accelerator-backed Startups

$5,000–$100,000

2 years

AWS Educate

Students

$50–$100

1 year

AWS Nonprofits Program

Registered NGOs

$1,000–$10,000

1–2 years

AWS Free Tier

All New Users

Varies by service

12 months + always-free tier

Tips to Maximize AWS Free Credits

  • Track Expiration Dates: Credits expire after a fixed term—often 12 or 24 months.

  • Tag Resources: Label services running on credits to avoid confusion.

  • Monitor Usage with AWS Budgets: Set alerts to avoid overspending.

  • Use Cost-Effective Services: Opt for spot instances, Lambda, or S3 IA.

Combine with Free Tier: Stretch your credits by staying within free usage limits.

Common Misconceptions About AWS Credits

  • Not All Services Are Covered: Premium support, some marketplace tools may not be included.

  • Credits Don’t Auto-Renew: You’ll need to re-apply or switch to paid usage.

  • Credits Are Non-Transferable: You can’t move credits between AWS accounts.

  • You Need a Valid Credit Card: Even with credits, a payment method is required.

Best Use Cases for AWS Free Credits

  • MVP or Product Prototype

  • Student Learning Projects

  • Open-Source App Hosting

  • Machine Learning Model Training

  • Database Migration Testing

  • Nonprofit CRM and Website Hosting

Conclusion

AWS free credits are one of the best ways to start building in the cloud without the upfront cost. Whether you're launching a startup, testing an idea, or building a student project, these credits provide real value—if you know how to use them wisely.

Need help setting up a high-performance AWS architecture using your credits? SquareOps specializes in cost-optimized, secure AWS environments that scale with your goals.

Let us help you turn free credits into real success.