AI & MLFree credits

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits

Lightning AI is a cloud platform for building, training and deploying AI models. It gives one free Studio and free GPU credits to start.

Lightning AIUpdated monthly · checked 25 h ago

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits is an AI and ML perk from Lightning AI, offering 80 free GPU hours to start, with no funding required.

Value: Free
Who qualifies: No funding needed
Benefit type: Free credits
Terms: Verified

Apply at Lightning AI

Get new AI & ML programs by email

Get an email if Lightning AI free tier and starter credits closes, changes its offer or sets a deadline. Also every new AI & ML program as it opens. Unsubscribe in one click.

While you apply

Also useful for building with AI models

Applying to Lightning AI takes a few minutes. Referral links, picked for fit and ordered by fit (70%) and what a signup earns us (30%), at no cost to you. They never change this page's ranking.

CometAPIOne API key for 500+ text, image, video and audio modelsFree test creditsReferral link

ScraperAPIScraping API that handles proxies, browsers and CAPTCHAs for you1,000 API creditsReferral link

Parallel AIAutonomous AI agents for sales, marketing and support50 free credits, no cardReferral link

What you get

Inside Lightning AI free tier and starter credits

The free tier runs 1 Studio free 24/7 with no credit card and no commitments.
Free Studios restart every 4 hours, and the free tier allows up to 2 concurrent GPUs.
Up to 30 free credits give about 80 GPU hours on interruptible machines.
Lightning gives 5 credits at registration, and adding a card gives 25 more.
Pro is $20 a month billed annually.

Source: The provider's official program page

Eligibility

Who it's for

Free plan Any startup

Funding / backing: No funding needed
Geography: Global
Recurring / expiry: Starter credits expire in 12 months if unused.
Other requirements: Free credits expire in 12 months if unused. Free Studios restart every 4 hours.

How to claim

How to apply for Lightning AI free tier and starter credits

Steps to apply

1Create a Lightning AI account at lightning.ai.
2No application is needed.

Good to know: Plans read on lightning.ai/pricing on October 28, 2026.

Apply at Lightning AI

Source: The provider's official program page

Value is the headline maximum Lightning AI 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.

Questions

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits: common questions

What do you get with Lightning AI free tier and starter credits?

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits offers 80 free GPU hours to start. The free tier runs 1 Studio free 24/7 with no credit card and no commitments. Free Studios restart every 4 hours, and the free tier allows up to 2 concurrent GPUs. Up to 30 free credits give about 80 GPU hours on interruptible machines. Lightning gives 5 credits at registration, and adding a card gives 25 more. Pro is $20 a month billed annually.

Who qualifies for Lightning AI free tier and starter credits?

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits is open to any startup, with no funding required. Free credits expire in 12 months if unused. Free Studios restart every 4 hours.

Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get Lightning AI free tier and starter credits?

No. Lightning AI free tier and starter credits is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.

How do I apply for Lightning AI free tier and starter credits?

Create a Lightning AI account at lightning.ai. No application is needed.

How long do I have to use Lightning AI free tier and starter credits, and does it expire?

Starter credits expire in 12 months if unused.

Is Lightning AI free tier and starter credits available outside the US?

Lightning AI free tier and starter credits is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.

Free cloud notebooks, comparedLightning AI's free plan next to every other free notebookWhat each notebook gives you free today, its main limit and what the first paid plan costs, read from each provider's own page.