The use of cloud services opens up enormous opportunities for IT companies. It significantly lowers the barrier to entry for those organizations that would otherwise never enter the market should they use the traditional approach to building infrastructure. However, it is important to use the capabilities of cloud services correctly because, over time, costs can increase and grow to significant sizes if not properly managed.
It is no coincidence that the field of cloud cost management and FinOps have emerged, which are designed to identify excessive and redundant resources that waste the budget. Many techniques can be used for cloud cost optimization, and the FinOps role is becoming increasingly essential.
For a new startup, it can be essential to get some options for using the cloud for free to build a minimum viable product and prove the viability of their idea.
It can also be beneficial for established companies. Even if a company already has significant resources and infrastructure, using GCP for free can provide access to new tools and services that can help the company operate more efficiently and effectively.
For example, GCP offers various services and tools for data analytics, machine learning, and other advanced technologies. By using GCP for free, established companies can experiment with these tools and services and see how they can be used to improve their operations.
This article will share some tips and tricks on saving money by receiving free Google Cloud Platform (GCP) credits. By taking advantage of these tips, businesses can use GCP services at a reduced cost or even for free.
GCP Free Tier
GCP offers a free tier that provides access to a limited number of GCP services and resources at no cost. The free tier includes services such as Google Compute Engine, Google Cloud Storage, and Google Cloud Functions, as well as some other services and tools. The free tier is available to all GCP customers and can be used to try out GCP and build small applications or prototypes. The full list of services available with this program and eligibility details can be found in the GCP documentation.
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers a program specifically designed for startups. The GCP for Startups program provides access to a range of benefits and resources that can help startups grow and succeed.
GCP for Startups program offers two tiers of benefits and resources for startups. These tiers are designed to provide support and resources that are tailored to the needs of startups at different stages of growth.
The two tiers of the GCP for Startups program are:
The Launch tier: This tier is designed for startups just starting with GCP. The Launch tier provides access to a range of benefits and resources, including $2,000 in GCP credits, support from a dedicated team of GCP experts, and access to a network of GCP partners. This tier is ideal for startups that are new to GCP and need support and guidance to get started.
The Scale tier: This tier is designed for startups that have already launched their applications on GCP and are looking to scale and grow. The Scale tier provides access to additional benefits and resources, including $100,000 in GCP credits, support from a dedicated GCP solutions architect, and access to exclusive GCP events and workshops. This tier is ideal for startups that are looking to accelerate their growth and take their applications to the next level on GCP.
You can explore this program on Google for Startups Cloud Program page.
GCP partners
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) partners are companies that provide services and solutions built on GCP. Some GCP partners offer free or discounted access to GCP services as part of their solutions, which can be useful for businesses that want to use GCP for free.
To use GCP for free with GCP partners, businesses need to first find a GCP partner that offers free or discounted access to GCP services. This can be done by searching for GCP partners on the GCP website or by contacting GCP directly to ask about partners that offer free or discounted access to GCP services.
Once a GCP partner has been found, the next step is to work with the partner to access their services and solutions. This typically involves signing up for a GCP account and signing a contract or agreement with the partner. The specific steps will vary depending on the partner and the services they offer.
Once the necessary steps have been completed, businesses can use GCP services for free or at a reduced cost through the partner’s services and solutions. This can be an excellent way for businesses to access GCP services without incurring significant costs.
Google Cloud for Researchers
The Google Cloud for Researchers program offers two types of credits and grants for researchers and scientists: GCP credits and Google Research Awards.
GCP credits: Researchers and scientists who join the Google Cloud for Researchers program receive credits that can be used to pay for GCP services and resources. These credits can be used to try out GCP and build applications and prototypes, allowing researchers to get started with GCP without incurring significant costs. The number of GCP credits that researchers and scientists receive will depend on their eligibility and the type of research they are conducting.
Google Research Awards: The Google Cloud for Researchers program also offers Google Research Awards, which are grants that provide funding to researchers and scientists for projects that use GCP services. These grants can be used to cover the cost of GCP services and resources, as well as other expenses related to the research project. Researchers and scientists can apply for Google Research Awards through the Google Cloud for Researchers program. The amount of the award and the specific requirements for eligibility will vary depending on the type of research being conducted.
GCP grants for education
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers education credits, which can be used to pay for GCP services and resources. These credits are available to educational institutions, such as schools, universities, and research institutions, and can be used to support teaching, learning, and research activities.
To receive GCP credits for education, educational institutions need to first sign up for a GCP account and verify their eligibility. This typically involves providing proof of their educational status, such as a valid school or university email address. Once the account has been verified, educational institutions will receive credits that can be used to pay for GCP services and resources.
The number of GCP credits that educational institutions receive will depend on their eligibility and the type of services and resources they need. In general, educational institutions will receive a significant amount of credits, which can be used to access a wide range of GCP services and resources.
Sustained use discounts
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) offers sustained use discounts, which are discounts that are applied to GCP services and resources that are used consistently over time. Sustained use discounts are an effective way for businesses to save money on their GCP costs by using GCP services more efficiently and consistently.
To receive sustained use discounts on GCP, businesses need to use GCP services consistently over a certain period of time. The specific requirements for sustained use discounts vary depending on the type of service and the region in which it is used. In general, sustained use discounts are applied to services that are used for more than 25% of the month. A detailed description of these discounts is described in GCP documentation.
Once a business has used GCP services consistently for the required period of time, sustained use discounts are automatically applied to the services that are eligible for discounts. The amount of the discount will depend on the type of service and the region in which it is used, but in general, the longer the service is used, the larger the discount will be.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several ways that businesses and individuals can use Google Cloud Platform (GCP) for free. These options include the GCP free tier, which provides free access to a range of GCP services and resources; GCP credits, which can be used to pay for GCP services at a reduced cost or even for free; and various programs, such as the GCP for Startups program and the Google Cloud for Researchers program, which provide access to additional credits, support, and resources for businesses and researchers.
Businesses and individuals can access GCP services without incurring significant costs by taking advantage of these options. This can be an excellent way to get started with GCP and explore the powerful tools and services offered by GCP, allowing businesses and individuals to achieve success and drive innovation.
While there are multiple ways to gain free credits, OptScale, the first open source FinOps & multi-cloud cost management solution, is fully available under Apache 2.0 on GitHub → https://github.com/hystax/optscale
Users can greatly benefit from the opportunity to get AWS or MS Azure credits:
- 10 tips and tricks to get free AWS credits → https://hystax.com/reduce-your-aws-cloud-costs-10-tips-and-tricks-to-get-free-aws-credits
- 6 ways to get free Microsoft Azure credits → https://hystax.com/6-tips-and-tricks-to-get-microsoft-azure-free-credits
