Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
AWS’s new getting-started experience is designed to let eligible newcomers begin with a project sooner, using sensible defaults instead of completing every setup choice first. Most new customers can sign up without a credit card and receive $100 in AWS credits, but the offer and screens vary during a gradual rollout. The key decision is whether to choose a Free account plan or a Paid account plan—and to understand the limits before you build.
What changed in AWS’s getting-started experience?
On September 16, 2026, AWS announced a simplified signup and onboarding experience focused on projects. Instead of asking newcomers to configure everything before they start, AWS says the experience provides sensible defaults and simpler administration. This can reduce friction at the beginning; it does not make every AWS service or later architecture simple.
AWS identifies Google, GitHub, and Apple as sign-in options. Its current beginner guide says the rollout is gradual, so eligibility, available screens, and features may differ. Check the signup flow shown to you rather than assuming every new account receives the same experience. AWS’s September 16, 2026 announcement and its beginner guide describe the launch and rollout.
Can you sign up for AWS without a credit card?
AWS says most new customers can start without a credit card. “Most” matters: the offer is not guaranteed for every person or signup path, and the gradual rollout may affect what you see. Follow the payment and verification requirements displayed during your own signup rather than relying on a general promise.
#1 Best Overall
How much free AWS credit do new accounts get?
Eligible new customers receive $100 in AWS credits at signup and may earn up to another $100 through qualifying activities, for up to $200 total. Credits apply only to eligible charges; review the current terms and your account’s billing information to see what qualifies. AWS’s Free Tier page and Billing documentation explain the current offer.
Free and Paid are different account plans
The new account-plan model gives new customers a choice. The Free plan is time-limited and restricts service access; the Paid plan provides broader access but can generate ordinary usage charges. The following terms are AWS’s published terms; availability and eligible services can change, so check the current details in your account.
| Plan detail | Free account plan | Paid account plan |
|---|---|---|
| Service access | Selected services; some high-consumption services and hardware purchases are excluded. | Access to all AWS services and features. |
| Charges | AWS says there are no charges while you remain on this plan. | Standard pay-as-you-go charges can apply when credits are exhausted or do not cover a service. |
| Duration | Ends after six months or when credits are exhausted, whichever happens first. | Continues as a paid account; charges depend on usage. |
| After Free plan expiry | AWS closes the account. Content is retained for 90 days; upgrading during that period can restore access before permanent deletion. | Remains available subject to billing and account terms. |
These plans should not be confused with the older 12-month Free Tier. AWS says accounts created before July 15, 2025 remain on the legacy program; the newer account-plan model applies to new customers. See the AWS Free Tier FAQ for plan and expiry terms.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How to start without letting a learning project sprawl
- Check the offer in your signup flow. Confirm which plan options, credits, and payment requirements AWS presents to you.
- Choose one small outcome. For example: “Send one request from my app, save something in the cloud, and explain where the data went.” A focused goal makes it easier to understand the services and charges involved.
- Use only the services the project needs. One possible learning path is a request through API Gateway to Lambda, with data saved in DynamoDB. It is an example, not a required architecture, and support for a service does not mean every feature or configuration is covered by credits.
- Monitor the account as you work. Use the Billing and Cost Management console to check plan and credit information, and verify service-specific eligibility and current terms.
- Decide what to keep before the Free plan ends. If you want to continue using AWS, review the upgrade choice and billing implications. Otherwise, save any data you need before account closure.
What happens when the Free plan expires?
AWS says the Free account plan ends after six months or when the available credits are used up, whichever comes first. At expiry, AWS closes the account and you lose access to its resources and data. AWS retains content for 90 days, during which upgrading can restore access; after that window, the content is permanently deleted. Do not treat the Free plan as a permanent place to host a project or store data. The Free Tier FAQ and Billing documentation cover these terms.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who should choose each plan?
Choose Free for a bounded experiment
The Free plan suits a short proof of concept if the services you need are included and you are prepared to stop or upgrade before expiration. Keep the project small enough that you can understand what it uses, and preserve data you want to keep.
Choose Paid when you need broader access or continuity
The Paid plan is the relevant option when a project needs services excluded from Free or must continue beyond the Free plan’s limit. Credits may offset eligible charges, but they do not eliminate billing risk: usage beyond the remaining balance and charges for ineligible services are billed at standard rates.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
