Resource constraints: Most free tiers insufficient for serious AI work
Geographic restrictions: Some providers limited to specific regions
🔍 Surprising Insights
Oracle 24GB RAM vs Google 1GB RAM shows massive gap in free offerings
Trial credits disappear but always-free resources continue indefinitely
ARM processors (Oracle) often outperform x86 for AI inference
Network egress can be expensive - Oracle’s 10TB free is generous
Final Recommendations
For €0 Budget (Always Free)
Oracle Cloud - Only viable option for serious AI systems (24GB RAM)
Google Cloud - Basic AI services and APIs only (1GB RAM)
IBM Cloud - Watson AI APIs without compute infrastructure
For €10 Budget (Paid Options)
Oracle Always Free + saved budget - Best overall value
Hetzner + Coolify - Reliable paid option within budget
Scaleway - European alternative, slightly over budget
For AI Development Strategy
Start with Oracle Cloud - Experiment with large models for free
Use trial credits from multiple providers for additional resources
Plan migration path to paid services if scaling beyond free limits
Conclusion
Oracle Cloud Always Free tier is unmatched in the cloud industry for AI development. No other provider offers 24GB RAM permanently free, making it the only realistic option for serious AI experimentation without budget constraints.
Key takeaway: For AI systems on cloud with €10 budget constraint, Oracle Cloud’s always-free tier provides enterprise-grade resources at €0, leaving your entire budget available for other tools, data, or paid services when needed.
Risk mitigation: While account suspension risk exists, the value proposition is extraordinary. Keep trial accounts with Google Cloud and Azure as backup options, and maintain good practices to minimize Oracle account risks.
Bottom line: Start with Oracle Cloud for AI development, experiment freely with large models, and upgrade to paid services only when scaling beyond the generous always-free limits.