Overview
Last year, I wanted to set up a blog without spending money on a server. After searching around, I came across Oracle's free cloud server. I figured I'd give it a try — nothing to lose. I've been using the Oracle free cloud server for almost a year now, and during that time, I've even helped a junior with a testing environment for his graduation project.
So, what exactly is "free" about Oracle's free cloud server?
At first, I was worried there might be hidden catches. It took me a while to figure it out, but the free tier is genuinely long-term free — not the kind that offers a "7-day trial and then charges you."
Free Term: As long as you don't actively cancel your account, you can keep using it indefinitely.
Free Configuration: You get 2 virtual machines. The base configuration comes with 2 vCPUs, 12GB RAM, and 50GB of storage — which is actually higher than many paid entry-level plans. It also includes 10TB of bandwidth, which is more than enough for a small blog or light testing.
Extra Perks: Besides the servers, you also get free access to object storage, load balancers, and other tools. I later added image storage to my blog using their free object storage — it saved me from having to pay for cloud storage elsewhere.
One small catch: you need to enter a credit card during registration (Visa or Mastercard both work). But rest assured, it's only for identity verification — they won't charge you. I've been using it for a year and have never seen any charges on my bill. If you don't have a credit card, you could ask a friend who has one to help with the verification (just make sure to explain the situation clearly to avoid any misunderstandings).
