GCP Compute Engine Pricing (2026)
Virtual machines are the backbone of cloud computing, providing scalable compute capacity on demand. Choose from a wide range of instance types optimized for different workloads, from general-purpose web servers to GPU-accelerated machine learning. Compute Engine features custom machine types where you can specify exact vCPU and memory configurations. Starting from $0.0076/hr ($5.55/mo) for f1-micro.
Key Features
- ✓Multiple instance families optimized for compute, memory, storage, and GPU workloads
- ✓On-demand, reserved, and spot/preemptible pricing models
- ✓Auto-scaling to match demand and reduce costs
- ✓Support for Linux and Windows operating systems
- ✓Customizable vCPU, memory, and storage configurations
Common Use Cases
Web Hosting
Run web servers, application backends, and microservices with predictable performance and auto-scaling.
Data Processing
Process large datasets with compute-optimized instances, leveraging high vCPU counts for parallel workloads.
Machine Learning
Train ML models on GPU instances, then deploy inference endpoints on cost-effective general-purpose instances.
Dev/Test Environments
Spin up on-demand instances for development and testing, using spot instances to minimize costs.
On-Demand Pricing
Pay-as-you-go pricing with no upfront commitment. You are billed per hour of usage and can start or stop at any time. Hourly rates start at $0.0076/hr ($5.55/mo) for f1-micro.
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a2-highgpu-1g | 12 | 85 GB | $0.7395 | $539.82 |
| a2-highgpu-2g | 24 | 170 GB | $1.4790 | $1,079.64 |
| a2-highgpu-4g | 48 | 340 GB | $2.9579 | $2,159.27 |
| a2-highgpu-8g | 96 | 680 GB | $5.9158 | $4,318.55 |
| c3-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.2016 | $147.17 |
| c3-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.4032 | $294.35 |
| c3-standard-22 | 22 | 88 GB | $1.1088 | $809.46 |
| c3-standard-44 | 44 | 176 GB | $2.2177 | $1,618.91 |
| c3-standard-88 | 88 | 352 GB | $4.4354 | $3,237.82 |
| c3-standard-176 | 176 | 704 GB | $8.8708 | $6,475.65 |
| f1-micro | 0.2 | 0.6 GB | $0.0076 | $5.55 |
| e2-micro | 0.25 | 1 GB | $0.0084 | $6.11 |
| e2-small | 0.5 | 2 GB | $0.0168 | $12.23 |
| g1-small | 0.5 | 1.7 GB | $0.0257 | $18.76 |
| e2-medium | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0335 | $24.46 |
| t2d-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0422 | $30.84 |
| t2a-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0385 | $28.11 |
| e2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0670 | $48.92 |
| n2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0971 | $70.90 |
| n2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 |
| n4-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0907 | $66.21 |
| t2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 |
| t2a-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0770 | $56.21 |
| e2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1340 | $97.84 |
| n2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1942 | $141.79 |
| n2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 |
| n4-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1814 | $132.42 |
| t2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 |
| t2a-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1540 | $112.42 |
| e2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.2680 | $195.67 |
| n2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3885 | $283.58 |
| n2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 |
| n4-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3628 | $264.84 |
| t2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 |
| t2a-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3080 | $224.84 |
| e2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.5361 | $391.35 |
| n2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7769 | $567.17 |
| n2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 |
| n4-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7256 | $529.69 |
| t2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 |
| t2a-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6160 | $449.68 |
| e2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.0722 | $782.69 |
| n2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.5539 | $1,134.34 |
| n2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 |
| n4-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.4512 | $1,059.38 |
| t2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 |
| n2-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.3308 | $1,701.51 |
| n2d-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.0278 | $1,480.30 |
| n4-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.1768 | $1,589.06 |
| n2-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $3.1078 | $2,268.68 |
Pricing by Instance Family
Accelerated Computing
4 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a2-highgpu-1g | 12 | 85 GB | $0.7395 | $539.82 |
| a2-highgpu-2g | 24 | 170 GB | $1.4790 | $1,079.64 |
| a2-highgpu-4g | 48 | 340 GB | $2.9579 | $2,159.27 |
| a2-highgpu-8g | 96 | 680 GB | $5.9158 | $4,318.55 |
Compute Optimized
6 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| c3-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.2016 | $147.17 |
| c3-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.4032 | $294.35 |
| c3-standard-22 | 22 | 88 GB | $1.1088 | $809.46 |
| c3-standard-44 | 44 | 176 GB | $2.2177 | $1,618.91 |
| c3-standard-88 | 88 | 352 GB | $4.4354 | $3,237.82 |
| c3-standard-176 | 176 | 704 GB | $8.8708 | $6,475.65 |
General Purpose
44 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| f1-micro | 0.2 | 0.6 GB | $0.0076 | $5.55 |
| e2-micro | 0.25 | 1 GB | $0.0084 | $6.11 |
| e2-small | 0.5 | 2 GB | $0.0168 | $12.23 |
| g1-small | 0.5 | 1.7 GB | $0.0257 | $18.76 |
| e2-medium | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0335 | $24.46 |
| t2d-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0422 | $30.84 |
| t2a-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0385 | $28.11 |
| e2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0670 | $48.92 |
| n2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0971 | $70.90 |
| n2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 |
| n4-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0907 | $66.21 |
| t2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 |
| t2a-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0770 | $56.21 |
| e2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1340 | $97.84 |
| n2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1942 | $141.79 |
| n2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 |
| n4-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1814 | $132.42 |
| t2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 |
| t2a-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1540 | $112.42 |
| e2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.2680 | $195.67 |
| n2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3885 | $283.58 |
| n2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 |
| n4-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3628 | $264.84 |
| t2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 |
| t2a-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3080 | $224.84 |
| e2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.5361 | $391.35 |
| n2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7769 | $567.17 |
| n2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 |
| n4-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7256 | $529.69 |
| t2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 |
| t2a-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6160 | $449.68 |
| e2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.0722 | $782.69 |
| n2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.5539 | $1,134.34 |
| n2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 |
| n4-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.4512 | $1,059.38 |
| t2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 |
| n2-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.3308 | $1,701.51 |
| n2d-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.0278 | $1,480.30 |
| n4-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.1768 | $1,589.06 |
| n2-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $3.1078 | $2,268.68 |
| n2d-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $2.7037 | $1,973.73 |
| n4-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $2.9024 | $2,118.75 |
| n2-standard-80 | 80 | 320 GB | $3.8847 | $2,835.85 |
| n4-standard-80 | 80 | 320 GB | $3.6280 | $2,648.44 |
Memory Optimized
5 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| m3-ultramem-32 | 32 | 896 GB | $5.6832 | $4,148.74 |
| m3-ultramem-64 | 64 | 1792 GB | $11.3664 | $8,297.47 |
| m3-megamem-64 | 64 | 896 GB | $6.7968 | $4,961.66 |
| m3-ultramem-128 | 128 | 3584 GB | $22.7328 | $16,594.94 |
| m3-megamem-128 | 128 | 1792 GB | $13.5936 | $9,923.33 |
Reserved Instance & Savings Plans Pricing
Commit to 1 or 3 years for lower hourly rates. Discounts of up to +65.0% are available with a 3-year reserved commitment.
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo | 1yr RI/hr | 3yr RI/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a2-highgpu-1g | 12 | 85 GB | $0.7395 | $539.82 | $0.4658 | $0.2588 |
| a2-highgpu-2g | 24 | 170 GB | $1.4790 | $1,079.64 | $0.9317 | $0.5177 |
| a2-highgpu-4g | 48 | 340 GB | $2.9579 | $2,159.27 | $1.8634 | $1.0354 |
| a2-highgpu-8g | 96 | 680 GB | $5.9158 | $4,318.55 | $3.7268 | $2.0707 |
| c3-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.2016 | $147.17 | $0.1270 | $0.0907 |
| c3-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.4032 | $294.35 | $0.2540 | $0.1814 |
| c3-standard-22 | 22 | 88 GB | $1.1088 | $809.46 | $0.6986 | $0.4990 |
| c3-standard-44 | 44 | 176 GB | $2.2177 | $1,618.91 | $1.3972 | $0.9980 |
| c3-standard-88 | 88 | 352 GB | $4.4354 | $3,237.82 | $2.7944 | $1.9959 |
| c3-standard-176 | 176 | 704 GB | $8.8708 | $6,475.65 | $5.5887 | $3.9919 |
| f1-micro | 0.2 | 0.6 GB | $0.0076 | $5.55 | - | - |
| e2-micro | 0.25 | 1 GB | $0.0084 | $6.11 | $0.0053 | $0.0038 |
| e2-small | 0.5 | 2 GB | $0.0168 | $12.23 | $0.0106 | $0.0075 |
| g1-small | 0.5 | 1.7 GB | $0.0257 | $18.76 | - | - |
| e2-medium | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0335 | $24.46 | $0.0211 | $0.0151 |
| t2d-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0422 | $30.84 | $0.0266 | $0.0190 |
| t2a-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0385 | $28.11 | - | - |
| e2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0670 | $48.92 | $0.0422 | $0.0302 |
| n2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0971 | $70.90 | $0.0612 | $0.0437 |
| n2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 | $0.0532 | $0.0380 |
| n4-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0907 | $66.21 | $0.0571 | $0.0347 |
| t2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 | $0.0532 | $0.0380 |
| t2a-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0770 | $56.21 | - | - |
| e2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1340 | $97.84 | $0.0844 | $0.0603 |
| n2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1942 | $141.79 | $0.1224 | $0.0874 |
| n2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 | $0.1065 | $0.0760 |
| n4-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1814 | $132.42 | $0.1143 | $0.0693 |
| t2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 | $0.1065 | $0.0760 |
| t2a-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1540 | $112.42 | - | - |
| e2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.2680 | $195.67 | $0.1689 | $0.1206 |
| n2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3885 | $283.58 | $0.2447 | $0.1748 |
| n2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 | $0.2129 | $0.1521 |
| n4-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3628 | $264.84 | $0.2286 | $0.1386 |
| t2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 | $0.2129 | $0.1521 |
| t2a-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3080 | $224.84 | - | - |
| e2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.5361 | $391.35 | $0.3377 | $0.2412 |
| n2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7769 | $567.17 | $0.4895 | $0.3496 |
| n2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 | $0.4258 | $0.3042 |
| n4-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7256 | $529.69 | $0.4571 | $0.2772 |
| t2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 | $0.4258 | $0.3042 |
| t2a-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6160 | $449.68 | - | - |
| e2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.0722 | $782.69 | $0.6755 | $0.4825 |
| n2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.5539 | $1,134.34 | $0.9789 | $0.6993 |
| n2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 | $0.8516 | $0.6084 |
| n4-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.4512 | $1,059.38 | $0.9142 | $0.5545 |
| t2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 | $0.8516 | $0.6084 |
| n2-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.3308 | $1,701.51 | $1.4684 | $1.0489 |
| n2d-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.0278 | $1,480.30 | $1.2775 | $0.9126 |
| n4-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.1768 | $1,589.06 | $1.3714 | $0.8317 |
| n2-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $3.1078 | $2,268.68 | $1.9578 | $1.3986 |
Spot / Preemptible Pricing
Spot and preemptible instances offer significant discounts for interruptible, fault-tolerant workloads.
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo | Spot/hr | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| a2-highgpu-1g | 12 | 85 GB | $0.7395 | $539.82 | $0.3698 | 50% |
| a2-highgpu-2g | 24 | 170 GB | $1.4790 | $1,079.64 | $0.7395 | 50% |
| a2-highgpu-4g | 48 | 340 GB | $2.9579 | $2,159.27 | $1.4790 | 50% |
| a2-highgpu-8g | 96 | 680 GB | $5.9158 | $4,318.55 | $2.9580 | 50% |
| c3-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.2016 | $147.17 | $0.0315 | 84% |
| c3-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.4032 | $294.35 | $0.0630 | 84% |
| c3-standard-22 | 22 | 88 GB | $1.1088 | $809.46 | $0.1733 | 84% |
| c3-standard-44 | 44 | 176 GB | $2.2177 | $1,618.91 | $0.3466 | 84% |
| c3-standard-88 | 88 | 352 GB | $4.4354 | $3,237.82 | $0.6933 | 84% |
| c3-standard-176 | 176 | 704 GB | $8.8708 | $6,475.65 | $1.3865 | 84% |
| f1-micro | 0.2 | 0.6 GB | $0.0076 | $5.55 | $0.0007 | 91% |
| e2-micro | 0.25 | 1 GB | $0.0084 | $6.11 | $0.0041 | 52% |
| e2-small | 0.5 | 2 GB | $0.0168 | $12.23 | $0.0081 | 52% |
| g1-small | 0.5 | 1.7 GB | $0.0257 | $18.76 | $0.0024 | 91% |
| e2-medium | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0335 | $24.46 | $0.0162 | 52% |
| t2d-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0422 | $30.84 | $0.0093 | 78% |
| t2a-standard-1 | 1 | 4 GB | $0.0385 | $28.11 | $0.0106 | 72% |
| e2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0670 | $48.92 | $0.0324 | 52% |
| n2-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0971 | $70.90 | $0.0272 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 | $0.0175 | 79% |
| n4-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0907 | $66.21 | $0.0339 | 63% |
| t2d-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0845 | $61.68 | $0.0185 | 78% |
| t2a-standard-2 | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0770 | $56.21 | $0.0213 | 72% |
| e2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1340 | $97.84 | $0.0648 | 52% |
| n2-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1942 | $141.79 | $0.0543 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 | $0.0351 | 79% |
| n4-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1814 | $132.42 | $0.0678 | 63% |
| t2d-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1690 | $123.36 | $0.0371 | 78% |
| t2a-standard-4 | 4 | 16 GB | $0.1540 | $112.42 | $0.0426 | 72% |
| e2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.2680 | $195.67 | $0.1296 | 52% |
| n2-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3885 | $283.58 | $0.1086 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 | $0.0701 | 79% |
| n4-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3628 | $264.84 | $0.1355 | 63% |
| t2d-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3380 | $246.72 | $0.0742 | 78% |
| t2a-standard-8 | 8 | 32 GB | $0.3080 | $224.84 | $0.0852 | 72% |
| e2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.5361 | $391.35 | $0.2592 | 52% |
| n2-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7769 | $567.17 | $0.2172 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 | $0.1403 | 79% |
| n4-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.7256 | $529.69 | $0.2710 | 63% |
| t2d-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6759 | $493.43 | $0.1483 | 78% |
| t2a-standard-16 | 16 | 64 GB | $0.6160 | $449.68 | $0.1703 | 72% |
| e2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.0722 | $782.69 | $0.5185 | 52% |
| n2-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.5539 | $1,134.34 | $0.4344 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 | $0.2805 | 79% |
| n4-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.4512 | $1,059.38 | $0.5421 | 63% |
| t2d-standard-32 | 32 | 128 GB | $1.3519 | $986.87 | $0.2966 | 78% |
| n2-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.3308 | $1,701.51 | $0.6516 | 72% |
| n2d-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.0278 | $1,480.30 | $0.4208 | 79% |
| n4-standard-48 | 48 | 192 GB | $2.1768 | $1,589.06 | $0.8131 | 63% |
| n2-standard-64 | 64 | 256 GB | $3.1078 | $2,268.68 | $0.8689 | 72% |
How Compute Engine Pricing Works
On-Demand
Pay per hour with no long-term commitment. Ideal for variable workloads and development environments.
Reserved / Committed Use
Commit to 1 or 3 years for significant discounts. Save up to +65.0% with a 3-year commitment.
Spot / Preemptible
Use spare capacity at steep discounts. Best for fault-tolerant, batch, and stateless workloads.
Monthly Cost Examples
GCP Compute Engine Free Tier
Free limit: 1 instance in us-west1/us-central1/us-east1. This free tier never expires and renews monthly.
Free Tier Comparison
| Provider | Service | Free Offering | Duration | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCP | Compute Engine | e2-micro | Always | 1 instance in us-west1/us-central1/us-east1 |
| AWS | EC2 | t2.micro or t3.micro | 12 months | 750 hrs/mo |
| Azure | Virtual Machines | B1s Linux | 12 months | 750 hrs/mo |
| OCI | OCI Compute | VM.Standard.E2.1.Micro | Always | 2 instances (1/8 OCPU, 1 GB RAM each) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GCP Compute Engine?
GCP Compute Engine is a cloud service offered by Google Cloud Platform. It provides various configurations (59 pricing tiers available) with pay-as-you-go and committed-use pricing options.
How much does GCP Compute Engine cost per month?
Prices range from $5.55/month for f1-micro to $16,594.94/month for m3-ultramem-128 on On-Demand pricing in us-east1.
How can I reduce GCP Compute Engine costs?
You can save up to 70% by using Reserved Instances or Committed Use Discounts (1-3 year commitment). Spot/Preemptible instances can save even more for fault-tolerant workloads.
Does GCP Compute Engine have a free tier?
GCP offers various free tier options. Check the official GCP pricing page for the most current free tier details for Compute Engine.
How many GCP Compute Engine pricing tiers are available?
There are 59 pricing tiers available for GCP Compute Engine. These range from entry-level configurations to high-performance options for enterprise workloads.
What pricing models does GCP Compute Engine offer?
GCP Compute Engine offers On-Demand (pay-per-hour, no commitment), Reserved/Committed Use (1-3 year commitments for significant discounts), and in some cases Spot/Preemptible pricing for interruptible workloads at the lowest cost.
How do I choose the right instance family?
General-purpose instances (e.g. M-series, D-series, N2) suit most workloads. Choose compute-optimized for CPU-heavy tasks like batch processing, memory-optimized for in-memory databases, and GPU instances for ML training. Start small and scale up based on actual utilization metrics.
How much can I save with Reserved Instances vs On-Demand?
Reserved Instances or Committed Use Discounts typically save 30-40% with a 1-year commitment and 55-70% with a 3-year commitment compared to on-demand pricing. Savings vary by provider and instance type, but long-term commitments consistently offer the largest discounts.