π§ 15+ Free VPS and Online Linux Terminals You Can Use in 2025
Looking to host your app, test Linux commands, or just explore the cloud? Hereβs a complete list of free VPS providers and online Linux environmentsβsome permanent, some temporaryβranging from cloud providers to browser-based terminals.
β Always Free VPS Options
1. Oracle Cloud Free Tier
- Type: Cloud VPS
- Specs: 2 ARM instances, 1 GB RAM each
- Extras: 10 GB object storage, databases, monitoring
- Use Case: Lightweight deployments
- π Link
2. Google Cloud Free Tier
- Type: Cloud VPS
- Specs: 1 f1-micro VM (USA-only)
- Extras: Free egress, 30 GB storage
- Use Case: Personal servers or dev use
- π Link
3. IBM Cloud Free Tier
- Type: Cloud platform
- Specs: Free Lite plans (Kubernetes, Functions)
- Use Case: API testing, serverless exploration
- π Link
4. Google Cloud Shell
- Type: Ephemeral Linux VM
- Specs: Debian-based, with preinstalled tools
- Persistence: 5 GB
- Use Case: DevOps, CLI usage, deploy GCP apps
- π Link
5. GitHub Codespaces
- Type: Dev container/VPS
- Specs: 2-core, 4 GB RAM (free quota)
- Use Case: Full-featured cloud IDE
- π Link
6. Google Project IDX
- Type: Cloud IDE with terminal
- Specs: Supports Linux terminals, Google auth
- Use Case: Full-stack dev with integrated terminal
- π Link
β³ Time-Limited Free VPS Trials
7. AWS Free Tier
- Duration: 12 months
- Specs: t2.micro/t3.micro, 750 hrs/month
- π Link
8. Azure for Students
- Specs: \$100 credit without card
- Duration: 12 months
- π Link
9. Vultr
- Specs: \$100 credit for 30 days
- π Link
10. Kamatera
- Specs: \$100 credit, full access VPS
- Duration: 30 days
- π Link
π§ͺ Free Online Linux Terminals
These environments don't offer full VPS but let you run Linux terminals in your browserβno login required.
11. LinuxContainers Incus Try-It
- Specs: Container-based full terminal
- Use Case: Test LXC environments
- π Link
12. LabEx Linux Playground
- Specs: Web-based terminal with tutorials
- Use Case: Learn Linux step-by-step
- π Link
13. JSLinux
- Specs: Emulated Linux in browser (x86, ARM)
- Use Case: Learning, demos
- π Link
14. Copy.sh
- Specs: Lightweight emulation of Linux terminal
- π Link
15. CB.VU Unix Terminal
- Specs: Web-based FreeBSD shell
- π Link
16. Webminal
- Specs: Web Linux terminal + learning tutorials
- Use Case: Teaching, exercises
- π Link
17. PaizaCloud IDE / Terminal
- Specs: Linux terminal + IDE
- Use Case: Coding in Linux, Node.js, Python
- π Link
18. Katacoda (Now GitPod/Pulumi Playground)
- Specs: Interactive containers + CLI guides
- π Link (Redirected to new platforms)
19. repl.it Shell
- Specs: Online code editor with shell
- Use Case: Coding + terminal mix
- π Link
20. OnWorks
- Specs: Run Linux distros in-browser
- Use Case: Try Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora in VM
- π Link
π Final Thoughts
Whether you're learning Linux, testing software, or hosting appsβthis list gives you free tools to do so without spending a rupee. For serious workloads, consider VPS options like Oracle or GCP. For quick experiments or command-line training, try web terminals like LabEx, JSLinux, or Google Cloud Shell.
π§Ύ Quick Comparison
Platform | Type | Persistent | Login Needed | Use Case |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oracle Cloud | VPS | β | β | Hosting |
GitHub Codespaces | Dev Env | β | β | Dev/Terminal |
Google Cloud Shell | Terminal | β (5GB) | β | CLI management |
JSLinux | Emulator | β | β | Education/Demo |
LabEx | Playground | β | β | Linux learning |
Vultr/Kamatera | VPS Trial | β | β | Short-term VPS |
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