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Free AWS AI credits (Amazon Bedrock)

New AWS accounts get up to $200 in credits ($100 on signup plus up to $100 more) usable on Amazon Bedrock, on a six-month free plan. Startups can apply to AWS Activate for far more — and Activate is the AWS credit that is documented to cover Claude.

The short answer

The AWS Free Tier credits are usable on Amazon Bedrock; the plan lasts six months or until the credits run out, whichever comes first. AWS does not say they cover Claude. For startups, AWS Activate grants up to $5,000 self-serve or up to $200,000 through an accelerator or VC, and AWS states those credits can be used on third-party models on Bedrock, including Anthropic’s.

  • Amazon Web Services Startup program
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    AWS Activate startup credits

    Eligible startups can get up to $200,000 in AWS Activate credits — usable across eligible AWS services, including third-party models such as Anthropic's on Amazon Bedrock. You apply with an AWS account on a paid plan, which AWS says you reach by entering a payment method.

    Free value
    Up to $200,000
    Card required
    Card required
    Application deadline
    No deadline stated
    Credit validity
    Usually 1–2 years depending on the package; use the expiry assigned in the AWS console.
    Who
    Pre-Series B startups founded within the last 10 years with an AWS account on a paid plan, new to Activate credits (or requesting more). The Portfolio tier requires an Organization ID from an AWS Activate Provider (accelerator, incubator or VC).

    Available subject to the provider eligibility and usage conditions.

    Check eligibility & claim AWS Activate startup credits (opens in a new tab) Details
  • Amazon Web Services Cloud AI credits
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    AWS Free Tier credits (route to Bedrock)

    New AWS accounts get up to $200 in credits — $100 on signup plus up to $100 more for completing activities — usable on Amazon Bedrock. AWS now says most new customers can sign up without a card, but may ask for one.

    Free value
    Up to $200
    Card required
    Card: conditional Most new customers can sign up without a payment method; AWS may request one to verify identity.
    Application deadline
    No deadline stated
    Credit validity
    AWS FAQ conflicts: General Q6 and Advanced Features Q2 say 6 months after account creation; Free Plan Q8 and activity-credit Q5 say 12 months. Check the expiry shown in your AWS account.
    Who
    New AWS customers, on the Free or Paid plan. AWS says a payment method "isn't required to sign up for most new customers" on its new sign-up flow, but may request one to verify identity; you are not charged while you stay on the Free plan.

    Available subject to the provider eligibility and usage conditions.

    Check eligibility & claim AWS Free Tier credits (route to Bedrock) (opens in a new tab) Details

Frequently asked questions

Does AWS give free credits for Amazon Bedrock?
New AWS accounts get up to $200 in credits — $100 on signup plus up to $100 more for completing activities — and AWS lists Amazon Bedrock as “Available on both plans” of its Free Tier. Startups can apply to AWS Activate for up to $200,000.
Can I use the AWS Free Tier credits for Claude?
AWS does not say so. Claude on Bedrock is “offered and billed through AWS Marketplace”, and AWS’s promotional-credit terms exclude AWS Marketplace charges “Unless authorized by us”. AWS does authorise its Activate startup credits for third-party models on Bedrock. We previously described the Free Tier credits as a route to Claude and have corrected it.
Do I need a credit card for the AWS free plan?
Not always, now. AWS says “A payment method isn’t required to sign up for most new customers”, but it may ask for one to verify your identity, its new sign-up is still rolling out, and other AWS pages still require one — so plan on needing it. You are not charged while you stay on the Free plan.