Wong Edan's
Cover
DevOps & Infrastructure

The Hidden Gems of Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

February 08, 2026 • By Azzar Budiyanto

Introduction to Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

As a tech enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for innovative solutions that can help me take my projects to the next level. Recently, I stumbled upon the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier, and I must say, it’s been a game-changer. In this article, we’ll delve into the hidden gems of OCI’s Always Free Tier, exploring its features, benefits, and use cases. Whether you’re a developer, a student, or a hobbyist, this article will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage OCI’s free resources to accelerate your projects.

What is Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier?

The Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier is a free tier of cloud services offered by Oracle, which provides access to a range of resources, including compute, storage, database, and AI services. This tier is designed to help developers, students, and hobbyists get started with cloud computing without incurring significant costs. With the Always Free Tier, you can create and deploy applications, experiment with new technologies, and learn about cloud computing without worrying about expensive bills.

Key Features of Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

So, what exactly do you get with the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier? Here are some of the key features:

  • Two Autonomous AI Database instances: With the Always Free Tier, you get access to two Autonomous AI Database instances, each with 20 GB of storage. This is perfect for small to medium-sized projects that require a robust database.
  • 20 GB of storage: You get 20 GB of storage, which can be used for storing files, images, and other data.
  • 10 GB of outbound data transfer: You get 10 GB of outbound data transfer per month, which is perfect for small to medium-sized projects that require data transfer.
  • Access to AI services: With the Always Free Tier, you get access to a range of AI services, including OCI Data Science, OCI AI Services, and more.
  • Support for ARM-based instances: The Always Free Tier supports ARM-based instances, which provide a cost-effective and efficient way to run workloads.

Use Cases for Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

So, how can you use the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier? Here are some examples:

  • Hosting personal projects: You can use the Always Free Tier to host personal projects, such as blogs, websites, and applications.
  • Learning about cloud computing: The Always Free Tier is perfect for students and hobbyists who want to learn about cloud computing without incurring significant costs.
  • Testing and development: You can use the Always Free Tier to test and develop applications, without worrying about expensive bills.
  • Deploying AI and ML models: With access to AI services, you can deploy AI and ML models, and experiment with new technologies.

Setting Up Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

Setting up the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Sign up for an Oracle Cloud account: Go to the Oracle Cloud website and sign up for an account. You’ll need to provide some basic information, such as your name, email address, and password.
  2. Verify your account: Once you’ve signed up, you’ll need to verify your account by clicking on a link sent to your email address.
  3. Set up your Always Free Tier resources: Once your account is verified, you can set up your Always Free Tier resources, including your Autonomous AI Database instances, storage, and AI services.

Best Practices for Using Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier

Here are some best practices for using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier:

  • Monitor your usage: Make sure to monitor your usage, including your storage, data transfer, and AI services usage, to avoid exceeding your limits.
  • Optimize your resources: Optimize your resources, including your Autonomous AI Database instances and storage, to ensure you’re getting the most out of your Always Free Tier resources.
  • Use ARM-based instances: Consider using ARM-based instances, which provide a cost-effective and efficient way to run workloads.

Common Issues and Solutions

Here are some common issues and solutions when using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier:

  • Account suspension: If your account is suspended, make sure to check your usage and ensure you’re not exceeding your limits. You can also contact Oracle support for assistance.
  • Resource limitations: If you’re experiencing resource limitations, consider optimizing your resources or upgrading to a paid plan.
  • AI services issues: If you’re experiencing issues with AI services, make sure to check the Oracle Cloud documentation and contact Oracle support for assistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier is a powerful tool for developers, students, and hobbyists who want to get started with cloud computing without incurring significant costs. With its range of resources, including compute, storage, database, and AI services, the Always Free Tier provides a comprehensive platform for building, deploying, and managing applications. By following the best practices and tips outlined in this article, you can get the most out of your Always Free Tier resources and take your projects to the next level.

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources to help you get started with the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier:

  • Oracle Cloud documentation: The Oracle Cloud documentation provides a comprehensive guide to getting started with the Always Free Tier, including tutorials, guides, and reference materials.
  • Oracle Cloud community: The Oracle Cloud community is a great place to connect with other developers, students, and hobbyists who are using the Always Free Tier. You can ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from others.
  • Oracle Cloud support: Oracle Cloud support provides assistance with any issues you may encounter when using the Always Free Tier. You can contact support via phone, email, or chat.

With the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier, you can unlock a world of possibilities and take your projects to the next level. Whether you’re a developer, a student, or a hobbyist, the Always Free Tier provides a comprehensive platform for building, deploying, and managing applications. So why wait? Sign up for your free account today and start exploring the possibilities of cloud computing!

Example Use Case: Hosting a Personal Website

Let’s say you want to host a personal website using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier. Here’s an example of how you can do it:

  1. Sign up for an Oracle Cloud account: Go to the Oracle Cloud website and sign up for an account.
  2. Set up your Always Free Tier resources: Once your account is verified, set up your Always Free Tier resources, including your Autonomous AI Database instances, storage, and AI services.
  3. Create a new instance: Create a new instance using the Oracle Cloud console, and select the ARM-based instance type.
  4. Install a web server: Install a web server, such as Apache or Nginx, on your instance.
  5. Configure your website: Configure your website, including setting up your domain name, creating a database, and uploading your website files.

And that’s it! With these steps, you can host a personal website using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier. You can also use the Always Free Tier to host other types of applications, such as blogs, forums, and e-commerce sites.

Example Use Case: Deploying an AI Model

Let’s say you want to deploy an AI model using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier. Here’s an example of how you can do it:

  1. Sign up for an Oracle Cloud account: Go to the Oracle Cloud website and sign up for an account.
  2. Set up your Always Free Tier resources: Once your account is verified, set up your Always Free Tier resources, including your Autonomous AI Database instances, storage, and AI services.
  3. Create a new instance: Create a new instance using the Oracle Cloud console, and select the ARM-based instance type.
  4. Install a deep learning framework: Install a deep learning framework, such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, on your instance.
  5. Train and deploy your AI model: Train and deploy your AI model using the Oracle Cloud AI services, including OCI Data Science and OCI AI Services.

And that’s it! With these steps, you can deploy an AI model using the Oracle Cloud (OCI) Always Free Tier. You can also use the Always Free Tier to deploy other types of AI and ML models, such as natural language processing and computer vision models.

oci api version 2.0
oci compute instance create --display-name my-instance --shape VM.Standard.A1.Flex --subnet-id --image-id
oci ai data-science create --display-name my-data-science --instance-type VM.Standard.A1.Flex --subnet-id
oci ai model deploy --display-name my-model --model-id --instance-type VM.Standard.A1.Flex --subnet-id

This code snippet shows an example of how to create a new instance, create a new data science resource, and deploy an AI model using the Oracle Cloud CLI.