How much credit does the Azure free account give, and for how long?
Azure's free account gives a “$200 credit” to use on Azure services within 30 days, plus free monthly amounts of 20+ popular services for 12 months and 65+ always-free services. Microsoft's Learn docs state it as “$200 Azure credit in your billing currency”, so check the amount shown for your own country.
The offer terms say the same: the credit is “to be used within the first 30 days of sign-up”, and “Any unused credits cannot be carried over to subsequent months and cannot be transferred to other Azure subscriptions.”
The free services are monthly allowances, not credit: “The free quantity expires at the end of the month and doesn't roll over to the next month.”
Source: Azure account options, Microsoft Learn: avoid charges with your Azure free account, Azure free account terms and conditions
Who qualifies for the Azure free account credit, and how do I claim it?
Only new Azure customers: “Available only to new Azure customers”, with “a limit of one account with free services and $200 credit per new customer.” You need a phone number, a non-prepaid credit or debit card, and a Microsoft or GitHub account, in a country where the offer is available. You claim it with the Try Azure for free button; no application is needed.
If your country is not listed, Microsoft says “the offer is not available in your region.” It also excludes sovereign clouds: “Azure free account, free services, and $200 credit don't include sovereign cloud products in US Government, Azure China, and Azure Germany regions.”
The card is for identity checks: “We don't charge your credit card or debit card anything when you sign up for Azure”, although you may see a one-dollar verification hold that is removed.
Source: Azure account options
Is there an Azure promo code or coupon for the free account?
No code is needed: the credit comes with the free account, and Microsoft's terms say the offer “cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise permitted by Microsoft”. The code Microsoft does ask for is a 10-character investor referral code in Microsoft for Startups, provided by an investor or accelerator in its Investor Network. Exam vouchers are a different thing.
Microsoft's free account page and terms describe no code to enter or buy. They limit the offer to “one Azure free account per eligible customer”, and unused credit “cannot be transferred to other Azure subscriptions”.
Azure certification exam vouchers are redeemed on the Pearson VUE payment screen: Microsoft Learn says to select “Add Voucher or Promo Code” there. That discounts an exam, not Azure usage.
Source: Azure free account terms and conditions, Microsoft Learn: applying to Microsoft for Startups, Microsoft Learn: vouchers and redeeming discounts
What can the Azure $200 credit not pay for?
Microsoft says “your Azure free account credit can't be applied to Azure Marketplace offers” until you move to pay-as-you-go. The terms also exclude Azure support plans, Azure DevOps, Visual Studio subscriptions, ExpressRoute and third-party branded products, and the FAQ rules out Spot Virtual Machines and Azure Hybrid Benefit while you use the credit.
It is not limited to development: “The Azure free account provides access to all Azure services and does not block customers from building their ideas into production.” Usage beyond the free amounts and the credit is billed at pay-as-you-go rates once you move.
The terms bar “any use of Azure services for crypto currency mining”, and Microsoft may suspend an account it believes is used for a prohibited purpose.
Source: Azure account options, Azure free account terms and conditions
What happens when the Azure free account credit runs out or expires?
You need to move to pay-as-you-go “within 30 days or after you've used your credit (whichever happens first)”. If you don't, Microsoft says “your account and services will be disabled” until you do. Moving earlier does not forfeit the credit: what remains “will still be available for the full 30 days from when you created your free account”.
After you move, free services continue: “After you upgrade, you'll have continued access to free services for 12 months and you get charged only for usage beyond the free services and quantities.”
The 12 months of free services end too: “Once your free services and quantities expire, you're charged pay-as-you-go rates for any services you're using.”
Source: Azure account options, Microsoft Learn: avoid charges with your Azure free account
How is the Azure free account different from Microsoft for Startups?
The free account is open to any new Azure customer. Microsoft for Startups is a separate program with its own sign-up that gives “Up to $200 in Startup credits immediately to start building on Azure” and the chance to “unlock up to $150,000 in Startup credits over time”. Its checklist asks for a “Valid personal Microsoft account with no prior Azure account”.
If you plan to apply, do it before you open a free account on that login. Microsoft's pages do not say whether an Azure free account blocks the startup application, but its startup FAQ lists an error for an account that “has already redeemed credits from another Microsoft program”, so check with Program Support first if you are unsure.
Source: Microsoft Learn: getting started with Microsoft for Startups, Microsoft Learn: applying to Microsoft for Startups, Microsoft for Startups FAQ
