When it comes to using free tier virtual machines (VMs), the restrictions on the type of operating system (OS) you can use vary depending on the cloud provider. Here's a detailed overview of some popular cloud platforms:
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud offers a free tier for its Compute Engine service, which includes a limited number of free hours for f1-micro instances each month. You can use most operating systems, including Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS, as well as Windows Server. However, the free tier is primarily intended for small-scale testing and development, and it does not support all features or larger instance types.Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS provides a free tier for its EC2 service, which includes 750 hours of free usage per month for a t2.micro instance. You can run various operating systems, including Amazon Linux, Ubuntu, Windows Server, and more. However, the free tier is limited to specific instance types and regions.Microsoft Azure
Azure offers a free account with $200 credit for the first 30 days and 12 months of free services, including a limited number of free hours for B1S virtual machines. You can use a variety of operating systems, including Windows Server, Linux distributions like Ubuntu and CentOS, and even custom images. However, the free services are limited to specific resources and regions.IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud provides a free tier for its Virtual Server instances, allowing you to run a variety of operating systems, including Ubuntu, CentOS, and Windows Server. However, the free tier is limited to specific instance types and resources.Oracle Cloud
Oracle Cloud offers a free tier with always-free services, including two free Ampere A1 Compute instances. You can run Oracle Linux, Ubuntu, and other supported operating systems. However, the free tier is limited to specific resources and services.In general, while most cloud providers allow you to use a variety of operating systems on their free tier VMs, there are often limitations on the instance types, resources, and regions available. Additionally, some providers may require you to upgrade to a paid plan for more advanced features or larger-scale deployments. Always check the specific terms and conditions of each provider to understand the restrictions and limitations of their free tier offerings.