Free Startup Credits (Complete List) — 2026
Startup programs offered by cloud providers, AI companies, and SaaS vendors let early-stage teams access hundreds of thousands of dollars in credits, discounts, and free tiers without equity or commitment.
This page lists 34 verified deals across 7 categories, each with direct application links and eligibility notes.
All entries are checked for active status before inclusion, and deals marked as expired are removed from the list.
Last updated:
Cloud Credits
The largest credits come from cloud providers. AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure all run structured startup programs with multi-stage credit tiers.
MongoDB
$500Easy eligibilityFree MongoDB Atlas Credits for Startups
Get free credits for MongoDB Atlas, Technical advice, Co-marketing and more
AWS
$850KEasy eligibilityAWS Free Tier & AI Partner Credits
Access free AWS cloud services for 12 months, plus AI partner credits worth up to $850,000 to build and scale your startup.
Heroku
Varies by usageMedium eligibilityFree Platform Credits and Services
Get access to Heroku’s fully managed platform to build, deploy, and run apps with free credits—no infrastructure management required.
DigitalOcean
$100,000Medium eligibilityFree Cloud Credits and Support
Get up to $100,000 in cloud credits for DigitalOcean’s cloud platform. Access services like Droplets, Kubernetes, and managed databases to scale your startup.
Google Cloud
Up to $200,000Moderate eligibilityFree Cloud Resources & AI Tools
Get up to $200,000 in Google Cloud credits to power your startup’s AI, machine learning, and cloud infrastructure. Scale globally with cutting-edge tools and mentorship.
Microsoft
Up to $150,000Moderate eligibilityFree Azure Cloud Credits and AI Tools
Build, deploy, and scale your startup with up to $150,000 in free Azure credits. Access leading AI models, technical support, and Microsoft’s global partner network.
Vercel
Up to $850,000Moderate eligibilityFree Hosting & AI Credits for Startups
Join Vercel's AI Accelerator to receive up to $850,000 in free hosting and AI partner credits. Perfect for AI startups looking to build and scale their apps.
Cloudflare
$250,000Moderate eligibilityFree Enterprise-Grade Security, CDN & Edge Compute
Accelerate and secure your startup with up to $250,000 in free Cloudflare credits. Access industry-leading CDN, DDoS protection, Zero Trust security, and Workers AI serverless computing.
AI Credits & Tools
AI-focused programs from foundation model companies offer API credits that let startups prototype and launch AI products without upfront cost.
OpenAI
$3,000Moderate eligibilityAccess GPT-4 and ChatGPT via Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Leverage OpenAI's GPT-4, ChatGPT, and Codex on Azure with up to $3,000 in credits through Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub.
Anthropic
$25,000Moderate eligibilityFree Claude AI Credits and Venture Support
Access $25,000 in free credits for Claude AI models plus venture support from Menlo Ventures to scale your AI startup.
MistralAI
$500Easy eligibilityFree API Credits for Developers & Startups
Get $500 in free credits to explore MistralAI’s state-of-the-art open-weight language models and APIs, perfect for startups building with cutting-edge generative AI.
ElevenLabs
33M CharactersModerate eligibilityFree AI Voice & Dubbing Credits for Startups
Unlock 12 months of free access to the ElevenLabs Scale tier, including 33 million characters for generative voice AI, text-to-speech, and low-latency voice agents.
Databases
Database providers offer startup programs that remove the cost barrier for teams that need managed cloud databases from day one.
Supabase
Up to 50K MAUsN/A eligibilityFree Postgres Database & Auth for Startups
Supabase offers a fully managed Postgres database, auth, and edge functions — free for up to 50,000 monthly active users.
Pinecone
$5,000Moderate eligibilityFree Managed Vector Database Credits
Power your AI applications with $5,000 in free credits for Pinecone's fully managed vector database. Build blazing-fast semantic search, recommendation engines, and RAG pipelines.
Developer Tools
Source control, CI/CD, security scanning, and dev environments — the backbone of modern engineering teams, often free for early-stage startups.
GitHub
20 Seats for 1 YearMedium eligibilityFree GitHub Enterprise for Startups
Get up to 20 seats of GitHub Enterprise free for one year to help your startup build, collaborate, and scale securely.
Snyk
Unlimited Open Source ProjectsOpen to All eligibilityFree Security Scanning for Code, Dependencies, and Containers
Snyk offers a free developer plan that provides automated security scanning for open source dependencies, container images, and infrastructure as code (IaC). Perfect for startups building their first product.
PostHog
1M events/monthEasy eligibilityFree Forever Product Analytics for Startups
Get up to 1 million free events per month with PostHog's comprehensive product analytics suite, including feature flags, session recordings, A/B testing, and user insights for data-driven startup growth.
Replit
FreeEasy eligibilityFree Access to Replit Starter Plan
Code, collaborate, and deploy applications instantly in your browser with the free tier of Replit, the online IDE for startups and developers.
Cursor
FreeEasy eligibilityFree Access to Cursor IDE
Start coding faster with the free tier of Cursor IDE, the AI-first code editor. Ideal for individual developers and early-stage startup experimentation.
Glitch
FreeEasy eligibilityFree Access to Glitch Platform
Instantly code, collaborate, and deploy web apps with the free tier of Glitch, the friendly community for building on the web.
CodeSandbox
FreeEasy eligibilityFree Access to CodeSandbox Platform
Accelerate web development and prototyping directly in your browser with the free tier of CodeSandbox.
Gitpod
FreeEasy eligibility50 Free Hours Per Month on Gitpod
Spin up ready-to-code development environments instantly from any Git repository with Gitpod's Free tier.
Auth0
$20,000Moderate eligibility1 Year Free of Enterprise-Grade Authentication
Secure your application from day one. Get one year of Auth0 completely free to easily implement SSO, MFA, and enterprise-grade authentication.
Productivity & Collaboration
Project management, wikis, and team chat tools typically offer generous startup plans. A well-organised team ships faster.
Notion
$6000Medium eligibilityFree Notion Plus Plan with Unlimited AI
Get up to 6 months of Notion Plus for free, including unlimited Notion AI to supercharge collaboration and productivity for your startup.
Slack
VariesFlexible eligibilityPremium Collaboration Tool for Startups
Slack helps startups enhance team communication, streamline workflows, and integrate with essential tools like Google Workspace and GitHub.
Airtable
Up to $2000Easy eligibilityDiscounted Plans and Free Templates
Get up to $2000 in Airtable credits, access over 50 templates, and simplify your startup workflows with no-code project management and automation.
Asana
Up to 45%Easy eligibilityDiscounted Project Management Tools
Get access to Asana’s powerful project management tools at a discounted rate to help your startup stay organized, collaborate efficiently, and hit your goals faster.
ClickUp
87% Off87% Off ClickUp Unlimited Plan for Startups
Streamline project management and boost team productivity with 87% off ClickUp Unlimited Plan for early-stage startups.
Linear
FreeEasy eligibilityFree Plan for Unlimited Members (with limits on issues and teams)
Get started with Linear's fast and intuitive issue tracking for free. Perfect for small teams, manage up to 250 issues across 2 teams with unlimited members. Includes core features like cycles, projects, and essential integrations.
Marketing & Sales
CRM, outbound automation, and customer support platforms offer deep discounts that help early teams punch above their weight.
HubSpot
Up to 90%Moderate eligibilityDiscounted CRM & Marketing Tools
Get up to 90% off HubSpot's all-in-one platform for CRM, marketing automation, sales enablement, and customer service — tailored for early-stage startups.
Intercom
Up to 90%Easy eligibilityExclusive Discount on Intercom’s Customer Support & Engagement Tools
Eligible startups can save up to 90% on Intercom’s Advanced Plan in the first year, followed by 50% off in year two, and 20% off in year three.
Clay
$229Easy eligibility3,000 Free Credits for B2B Outbound Automation
Automate your B2B sales outreach and data enrichment. Apply the Clay promo code via XRaise to unlock 3,000 free credits for your outbound campaigns.
Zendesk
Up to $50,000Easy eligibility6 Months Free of the Full Zendesk Suite
Deliver exceptional customer experiences from day one. Get 6 months of the complete Zendesk Suite for free to scale your support, sales, and AI chatbots.
Design
Web design and no-code tools lower the bar for launching polished products without a dedicated design team.
How we select deals
- Verified application link. Every deal links to the vendor's official startup program page. We do not link to third-party referral pages.
- Startup eligibility confirmed. Deals must be explicitly open to early-stage startups, not just any business. We note the eligibility level (Easy, Moderate, etc.) on each card.
- Meaningful value. We prioritise programs that offer substantive credits or discounts — not just a free trial that any user can access.
- Regularly updated. Each deal shows a "last verified" date. We review the list at least monthly and remove deals that have ended.
Frequently asked questions
- How do startups get free cloud credits?
- Most major cloud providers — AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure — run dedicated startup programs. Founders apply directly on the provider's website, typically by verifying that their company is early-stage (pre-Series B or earlier) and has not previously participated. Credits are usually delivered to a cloud billing account within a few business days.
- Which cloud provider gives the most startup credits?
- Credit amounts vary by program tier and the startup's stage. AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure all advertise large headline figures (often six figures), but the practical amount depends on which tier your startup qualifies for. It is worth applying to all three, as they are not mutually exclusive.
- Do I need VC funding to get startup credits?
- Not always. Many programs are open to pre-seed or bootstrapped startups. Some providers ask that you be backed by a recognised accelerator, incubator, or VC fund, while others only require that you are building a product and have a live website. Check each program's eligibility page for the exact criteria.
- Are startup credits available to companies outside the US?
- Yes. All the major cloud, AI, and SaaS programs listed here are available globally. Eligibility requirements are the same regardless of geography. Some accelerator-gated programs may have regional restrictions, but the direct-apply programs are open worldwide.
- What is the fastest way to apply for multiple startup deals?
- Start with programs that have instant or same-day approval — AWS Free Tier activates immediately on signup, for example. For programs that require an application, prepare a short description of your startup, a link to your website, and your funding stage in advance. Having these ready lets you move through multiple applications in an afternoon.
- Do startup credits expire?
- Most credits have an expiry — typically 12 months from the date they are granted, though some programs offer "free forever" tiers up to certain usage limits. Check the expiry terms before you apply, and activate credits only when your team is ready to use them.
- Can a startup apply for credits from competing providers at the same time?
- Yes. Cloud providers do not require exclusivity, and there is no rule against holding credits with AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure simultaneously. Many startups run their infrastructure on one primary provider and use credits from others for experimentation, AI tooling, or redundancy.
- What happens when startup credits run out?
- When credits are exhausted you transition to standard pay-as-you-go billing. Providers typically send email notifications before your balance is depleted. Building cost awareness early — with budget alerts and rightsizing — helps avoid surprise invoices after the credit period ends.
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