Where can I get free Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits?

There are 2 methods to get free hosting from Amazon Web Services (AWS).

1. AWS Free Tier.
   
2. $5,000 free credits for existing BEAMSTART Members.

Method 1 - AWS Free Tier

In short, AWS's Free Tier is basically a free trial for nearly all of AWS's services. 

Some services are free for the first 12 months, while some others are always free as long as its usage does not exceed a certain threshold.

This is what it says on AWS's official website:

The AWS Free Tier provides customers the ability to explore and try out AWS services free of charge up to specified limits for each service. The Free Tier is comprised of three different types of offerings, a 12-month Free Tier, an Always Free offer, and short term trials. Services with a 12-month Free Tier allow customers to use the product for free up to specified limits for one year from the date the account was created. Services with an Always Free offer allow customers to use the product for free up to specified limits as long as they are an AWS customer. Services with a short term trial are free to use for a specified period of time or up to a one-time limit depending on the service selected. Details on the limits and services provided for free are detailed in each card on the Free Tier page. If your application use exceeds the free tier limits, you simply pay standard, pay-as-you-go service rates (see each service page for full pricing details). Restrictions apply; see offer terms for more details.

Method 2 - $5,000 free credits code

The second method is a $5,000 free credits code, which is only eligible to BEAMSTART Members (because AWS is awesome and partnered with us 🙂).

Upon applying the code, you will be able to use nearly all of AWS's services for free for up to 1 year since the activation date.

To sign up, follow the steps below:

1. First, create an AWS account and have it fully activated.
   
2. Once your account is created + activated, visit the following link to apply the credits.
3. On the form, key in the following Organization ID — 12Xab.

Take note that the organization ID is case sensitive and the code can only be applied to AWS accounts that have never received credits before.

If you're a startup, I recommend joining a reputable accelerator program.

AWS has a partner program for accelerators / venture capital / investment companies, and they give up to $25,000 in free credits that last for 2 years.

It may be very hard to get in an accelerator, so watch lots of Shark Tank and learn how to pitch. 

If you manage to get in, be sure to claim your AWS perks from them. I did that and it saved me a huge amount of money in the long term.