Amazon EC2
Amazon EC2: Flexible virtual compute for AWS workloads, with usage-based pricing and broad service integration. Ranked #2 of 143 in Cloud Hosting by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Paid; best for AWS users needing flexible virtual compute.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forAWS users needing flexible virtual compute
- Free planNo
- AutoscalingYes
- Facts checked23 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Resizable instances with per-second billing
- Auto Scaling and automatic replacement of unhealthy instances
- Integrates with S3, RDS, Load Balancing, and CloudWatch
Where it doesn't
- No free plan
- Pricing varies by instance type, Region, operating system, and usage
- Requires choosing among instance types and purchasing options
Our verdict on Amazon EC2
Amazon EC2 provides resizable virtual servers for applications running in the AWS cloud. It is aimed at developers, IT teams, and organizations that need configurable compute infrastructure for development or production workloads. Users can select instance types, operating systems, storage, networking, and purchasing options, including Spot and On-Demand. The service is available across AWS geographic Regions and Availability Zones, with 39 regions listed in its category details.
Pricing is usage-based rather than organized around fixed monthly plans. The On-Demand plan starts at $0.0052 per hour and charges for running compute capacity without long-term commitments. The published pricing details state that the final rate varies by instance type, operating system, Region, and usage. Per-second billing applies to running instances, which fits workloads that need adjustable capacity rather than a fixed server configuration. There is no free plan, so buyers should estimate ongoing compute costs before choosing instance sizes and deployment patterns.
EC2 fits most naturally into an AWS-centered environment. It connects with Amazon S3 for object storage, Amazon RDS for managed databases, Elastic Load Balancing for traffic distribution, Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling for capacity changes, and Amazon CloudWatch for monitoring. Auto Scaling groups support configurable minimum, desired, and maximum capacity, while unhealthy instances can be replaced automatically. Choose EC2 when you need flexible virtual compute and AWS service integration. It is less suitable for teams seeking a fixed monthly hosting plan or a simpler, narrowly scoped hosting product.
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Amazon EC2 pricing
All 3 Amazon EC2 plans and prices →
Amazon EC2 fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Regions available | 39 |
| Autoscaling | Yes |
| Load balancing | Yes |
| Monthly bandwidth | Not verified |
| Object storage | Yes |
| Managed databases | Yes |
| Support level | Premium |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Support | Phone, Live chat, Email, Docs, Community · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Amazon S3, Amazon RDS, Elastic Load Balancing, Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | aws.amazon.com |
| Facts checked | 23 Sep 2026 |
Amazon EC2 integrations
Amazon EC2 lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Amazon S3
- Amazon RDS
- Elastic Load Balancing
- Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling
Alternatives to Amazon EC2
- Google Compute EngineA broad-control VM platform for enterprise workloads across Linux and Windows.9.3
- Azure Virtual MachinesFlexible Azure compute with scaling, networking, storage, and security options.9.2
- Oracle Cloud ComputeA broad Oracle Cloud compute service with flexible infrastructure and usage-based pricing.9.0
See all Amazon EC2 alternatives →
Amazon EC2 vs the competition
- Amazon EC2 vs Antihost
- Amazon EC2 vs Google Compute Engine
- Amazon EC2 vs Azure Virtual Machines
- Amazon EC2 vs Oracle Cloud Compute
- Amazon EC2 vs Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Amazon EC2 vs Alibaba Cloud Elastic Compute Service (ECS)
Compare Amazon EC2 with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
Amazon EC2 is ranked in 8 of our directories; the 6 strongest besides Cloud Hosting.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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