My AWS free tier is going to end in February 2026, and I'm a bit worried about what happens next. If I don't purchase any services, like domains, will I still get charged? What's the best way to avoid any charges once my free tier is over?
3 Answers
Just a heads up, when your free plan runs out, AWS closes the account, and you’ll lose access to everything. However, they keep your data for 90 days in case you want to upgrade after it expires. If you don’t upgrade within that time, all your stuff is gone for good!
To avoid getting charges, definitely check which services are included in the permanent free tier. Some usage might still be free after your initial tier ends, so just determine what applies to you and monitor your usage closely!
You won’t be charged just for having an AWS account; you only get billed for the resources you actually use. If your account is completely empty, you'll be all good! But honestly, if you’re not planning to use any of the services, it might be wise to just close the account altogether.
Exactly! Keeping an empty account is kinda pointless, and closing it makes everything simpler.

Good tip! Keeping an eye on the specifics can save you some unexpected bills.