Developer ToolsFree plan

GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)

GitHub Container Registry stores container images inside GitHub Packages. Public packages are free, and container image storage and bandwidth are currently free.

GitHubUpdated monthly · checked 27 h ago

GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth) is a developer tools perk from GitHub, offering a free plan (public packages free), with no funding required.

Who qualifies
No funding needed
Benefit type
Free plan
Apply at GitHub

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While you apply

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What you get

Inside GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)

GitHub Packages usage is free for public packages. Container image storage and bandwidth for the Container registry is currently free, and GitHub says it will give at least one month's notice before any change to that policy. The Free plan includes unlimited public and private repositories and 500MB of Packages storage, shared with GitHub Actions artifacts. The Team plan is $4 per user a month and includes 2GB of Packages storage.

Source: The provider's official program page

Eligibility

Who it's for

Free planAny startup
Funding / backing
No funding needed
Geography
Global
Recurring / expiry
Free with no time limit. Container storage is free under a policy GitHub describes as current.
Other requirements
The 500MB of Packages storage on the Free plan is shared with GitHub Actions artifacts. GitHub says the container registry storage policy is current and gives a month's notice before any change.
How to claim

How to apply for GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)

Steps to apply
  1. 1Create a free GitHub account or organization and publish to ghcr.io.
  2. 2No application is needed.
Good to know: Plans read on github.com/pricing and docs.github.com (billing for GitHub Packages) on October 28, 2026.
Apply at GitHub

Source: The provider's official program page

Value is the headline maximum GitHub advertises. What your company actually receives depends on your eligibility and how you use the program, and terms can change. A comparison, not endorsed by the programs listed. A link labeled as a referral link may earn us a commission, and a program labeled Same owner comes from the company that runs StartupPerks. Confirm current terms on the provider's page.
Through your bank or card

Other ways to get a deal on GitHub

Mercury gives its customers a deal on GitHub. It is separate from GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth), with its own conditions, and partners usually allow one startup deal per company, so compare who qualifies before you apply.

  • Mercury Perks$10,000 in GitHub creditsFor Mercury business account holders
    • This perk is for funded startups only. You must have raised outside equity funding (up to Series B) from investors. Companies that are bootstrapped, self-funded, grant-funded, etc are not eligible.
    • New to GitHub Enterprise (or have not been on a GitHub Enterprise plan within the past six months)
    • Have not previously received GitHub for Startups credits or GitHub Enterprise licenses
    Compare all 273 Mercury Perks On Mercury: the GitHub perk

Read from each platform's own perks page on or after October 28, 2026.

Questions

GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth): common questions

Is GitHub free?

Yes, GitHub can be used for free. Free plan (public packages free). As stated on GitHub's own page, linked on this page.

Who qualifies for GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)?

GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth) is open to any startup, with no funding required. The 500MB of Packages storage on the Free plan is shared with GitHub Actions artifacts. GitHub says the container registry storage policy is current and gives a month's notice before any change.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)?

No. GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth) is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.

How do I apply for GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth)?

Create a free GitHub account or organization and publish to ghcr.io. No application is needed.

How long do I have to use GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth), and does it expire?

Free with no time limit. Container storage is free under a policy GitHub describes as current.

Is GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth) available outside the US?

GitHub Container Registry (free storage and bandwidth) is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Free container registries, comparedGitHub Container Registry's free plan next to every other free container registryWhat each container registry gives you free today, its main limit and what the first paid plan costs, read from each provider's own page.
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