Want to try Gemini on Google Cloud's free $300? Sign up before November 16, or the credit won't cover it
Google Cloud's Free Trial still gives new customers a $300 Welcome credit to spend over 90 days, plus the always-free tier of 20+ products. But Google's free-program page now says the $300 can't pay for Gemini platform services (formerly Vertex AI) if you sign up for the trial or upgrade to a paid account on or after November 16, 2026. The credit already can't pay for the Gemini API in AI Studio, where Google points you to the Gemini API free tier instead.
Why it matters
If you were planning to prototype Gemini apps on Google Cloud with free trial money, the window to have that credit cover Gemini closes in a few days. After that, the $300 still works for VMs, storage, BigQuery and other Cloud products.
Who it's for
Developers, students and startups who have never paid for Google Cloud and want to build with Gemini on Google Cloud's platform.
How to try it
- Check you qualify: never paid for Google Cloud, Maps Platform or Firebase, and never used the Free Trial.
- Start the Free Trial at cloud.google.com/free before November 16, 2026 if you want the credit to cover Gemini platform services.
- Set a budget alert in Billing so you see how fast the $300 is going, and note the 90-day end date.
- For hobby use of the Gemini API itself, use the free tier in Google AI Studio instead of trial credit.
Plan & availability: New customers only: you must never have been a paying user of Google Cloud, Google Maps Platform or Firebase, and never had the Free Trial before. A credit card or other payment method is required at signup (a temporary authorization hold, not a charge). $300 credit valid for 90 days; Gemini platform coverage only for trials started or accounts upgraded before November 16, 2026. Gemini API in AI Studio is excluded either way. Checked on cloud.google.com on November 11, 2026.
Source: Google Cloud on cloud.google.com ↗
Written by AgentStackList from the original post. Checked Nov 11, 2026. Features, plans and availability can change, so confirm on the source before you rely on it.
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