How To Get Free GCP Credits | Code Boost
Description: Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a super powerful suite of cloud tools to bring your ideas to life. The best part? You can explore GCP’s vast capabilities without spending a dime...

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# How To Get Free GCP Credits

By Matt · Jul 4, 2024

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a super powerful suite of cloud tools to bring your ideas to life. The best part? You can explore GCP’s vast capabilities without spending a dime. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to claim free GCP credits, maximize their value, and unlock even more opportunities to keep using GCP for free.

## $300 Free Trial: A Golden Opportunity to Explore GCP

If you’re new to Google Cloud, the $300 free trial is your ticket to exploring a vast ecosystem of cloud services. These credits allow you to experiment with: ✔️ Virtual Machines (Compute Engine) – Deploy and run applications on scalable cloud infrastructure. ✔️ Cloud Storage – Store and retrieve files securely, with multiple storage options. ✔️ Machine Learning & AI – Train and deploy custom machine learning models. ✔️ BigQuery – Analyze massive datasets with serverless data warehousing. 💡 Imagine building and hosting a website, setting up a database, or training an AI model—all for free!

### How to Claim Your $300 Free Trial Credits

- Sign up for a new GCP account.
- Verify your identity with a credit card (don’t worry—you won’t be charged unless you manually upgrade).
- Claim your $300 credits and start experimenting with any of Google Cloud’s services.

Your free credits last 90 days, so be sure to make the most of them before they expire!

## Beyond the Trial: GCP’s Always Free Tier

Once your $300 credits run out, you can still access GCP at no cost through the Always Free tier. This program includes a selection of essential services with monthly usage limits, allowing you to continue building and learning indefinitely.

### What’s Included in the Always Free Tier?

✔️ Compute Engine – One e2-micro instance per month, ideal for hosting small applications. ✔️ Cloud Storage – Up to 5 GB of Standard Storage in select regions. ✔️ BigQuery – 1 TB of free queries per month, perfect for data analysis. ✔️ Cloud Run – 2 million requests per month for serverless applications. ✔️ Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) – One free Autopilot or Zonal cluster per month. 💡 Tip: The Always Free tier is perfect for small-scale apps, development environments, and learning cloud technologies without financial risk.

## More Ways to Score Free GCP Credits

Beyond the trial and Always Free tier, there are even more ways to get free Google Cloud credits:

### 1. Google Cloud Marketplace

- Many third-party vendors offer free trials or promotional credits for their services.
- Look for offers when signing up for tools like databases, analytics software, or AI solutions.

### 2. Education & Research Programs

- Students & Educators: Get free GCP credits through Google Cloud Skills Boost, university partnerships, and faculty grants.
- Researchers: Apply for Google’s Cloud Research Credits Program to support your academic projects.

### 3. Google for Startups

- If you’re a startup, you may qualify for up to $100,000 in free GCP credits through the Google for Startups Cloud Program.
- Even early-stage startups can get $2,000 in credits to kickstart their journey.

### 4. Community Events & Hackathons

- Google frequently hosts events, webinars, and hackathons where attendees can receive free credits.
- Follow Google Cloud’s official blog and social media to stay updated on upcoming opportunities.

### 5. Referral Programs

- Occasionally, Google runs referral programs that reward you with free credits when you invite others to try GCP.
- Keep an eye out for these offers in your Google Cloud Console or promotional emails.

## How to Maximize Your Free GCP Credits

Getting free credits is great—but using them wisely can help you extract maximum value. Here’s how: ✅ Choose the right instance types – Pick cost-efficient VMs and services that fit your project needs. ✅ Set budget alerts – Monitor your credit usage in the GCP Billing dashboard to avoid unexpected charges. ✅ Optimize storage – Use lifecycle policies to automatically delete unused files and reduce costs. ✅ Leverage cost-saving features – Take advantage of preemptible VMs and committed use discounts to stretch your credits further. ✅ Use the Always Free Tier – Prioritize using Always Free services to extend your credit usage. 💡 Pro Tip: If you're part of a team, consider applying for startup credits or education grants to keep your GCP account running longer!

## Final Thoughts: GCP is for Everyone

Google Cloud Platform’s commitment to accessibility through free credits makes it an excellent choice for: 🎓 Students – Learn cloud computing and get hands-on experience. 💡 Developers – Build and test projects without financial risk. 🚀 Startups – Scale your business with startup credits. 🏢 Businesses – Explore cloud solutions before making a financial commitment. So, why wait? Sign up today, claim your free credits, and start building on Google Cloud Platform. The future of cloud computing is at your fingertips—go explore!