OCI OCI Compute 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. OCI Compute offers flexible shapes where you choose exact OCPU and memory. Ampere A1 ARM instances are Always Free (4 OCPUs, 24 GB RAM). Starting from $0.0190/hr ($13.87/mo) for VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB).
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 $0.0190/hr ($13.87/mo) for VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB).
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0370 | $27.01 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0740 | $54.02 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1480 | $108.04 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.2960 | $216.08 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.5920 | $432.16 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.1840 | $864.32 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.3680 | $1,728.64 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0460 | $33.58 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0920 | $67.16 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1840 | $134.32 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.3680 | $268.64 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.7360 | $537.28 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.4720 | $1,074.56 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.9440 | $2,149.12 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0190 | $13.87 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0380 | $27.74 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.0760 | $55.48 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.1520 | $110.96 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.3040 | $221.92 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (24 OCPU, 144 GB) | 24 | 144 GB | $0.4560 | $332.88 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0260 | $18.98 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0520 | $37.96 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.1040 | $75.92 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.2080 | $151.84 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.4160 | $303.68 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (1 OCPU, 14 GB) | 2 | 14 GB | $0.0750 | $54.75 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (2 OCPU, 28 GB) | 4 | 28 GB | $0.1500 | $109.50 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (4 OCPU, 56 GB) | 8 | 56 GB | $0.3000 | $219.00 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (8 OCPU, 112 GB) | 16 | 112 GB | $0.6000 | $438.00 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (16 OCPU, 224 GB) | 32 | 224 GB | $1.2000 | $876.00 |
Pricing by Instance Family
Standard - AMD E4
7 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0370 | $27.01 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0740 | $54.02 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1480 | $108.04 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.2960 | $216.08 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.5920 | $432.16 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.1840 | $864.32 |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.3680 | $1,728.64 |
Standard - AMD E5
7 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0460 | $33.58 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0920 | $67.16 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1840 | $134.32 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.3680 | $268.64 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.7360 | $537.28 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.4720 | $1,074.56 |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.9440 | $2,149.12 |
Standard - Arm A1
6 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0190 | $13.87 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0380 | $27.74 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.0760 | $55.48 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.1520 | $110.96 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.3040 | $221.92 |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (24 OCPU, 144 GB) | 24 | 144 GB | $0.4560 | $332.88 |
Standard - Arm A2
5 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0260 | $18.98 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0520 | $37.96 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.1040 | $75.92 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.2080 | $151.84 |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.4160 | $303.68 |
Optimized - X9
5 instance types available
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (1 OCPU, 14 GB) | 2 | 14 GB | $0.0750 | $54.75 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (2 OCPU, 28 GB) | 4 | 28 GB | $0.1500 | $109.50 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (4 OCPU, 56 GB) | 8 | 56 GB | $0.3000 | $219.00 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (8 OCPU, 112 GB) | 16 | 112 GB | $0.6000 | $438.00 |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (16 OCPU, 224 GB) | 32 | 224 GB | $1.2000 | $876.00 |
Reserved Instance & Savings Plans Pricing
Commit to 1 or 3 years for lower hourly rates.
| Instance | vCPU | Memory | Price/hr | Price/mo | 1yr RI/hr | 3yr RI/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0370 | $27.01 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0740 | $54.02 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1480 | $108.04 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.2960 | $216.08 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.5920 | $432.16 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.1840 | $864.32 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E4.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.3680 | $1,728.64 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (1 OCPU, 8 GB) | 2 | 8 GB | $0.0460 | $33.58 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (2 OCPU, 16 GB) | 4 | 16 GB | $0.0920 | $67.16 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (4 OCPU, 32 GB) | 8 | 32 GB | $0.1840 | $134.32 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (8 OCPU, 64 GB) | 16 | 64 GB | $0.3680 | $268.64 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (16 OCPU, 128 GB) | 32 | 128 GB | $0.7360 | $537.28 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (32 OCPU, 256 GB) | 64 | 256 GB | $1.4720 | $1,074.56 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.E5.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) | 128 | 512 GB | $2.9440 | $2,149.12 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0190 | $13.87 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0380 | $27.74 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.0760 | $55.48 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.1520 | $110.96 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.3040 | $221.92 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A1.Flex (24 OCPU, 144 GB) | 24 | 144 GB | $0.4560 | $332.88 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) | 1 | 6 GB | $0.0260 | $18.98 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (2 OCPU, 12 GB) | 2 | 12 GB | $0.0520 | $37.96 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (4 OCPU, 24 GB) | 4 | 24 GB | $0.1040 | $75.92 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (8 OCPU, 48 GB) | 8 | 48 GB | $0.2080 | $151.84 | - | - |
| VM.Standard.A2.Flex (16 OCPU, 96 GB) | 16 | 96 GB | $0.4160 | $303.68 | - | - |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (1 OCPU, 14 GB) | 2 | 14 GB | $0.0750 | $54.75 | - | - |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (2 OCPU, 28 GB) | 4 | 28 GB | $0.1500 | $109.50 | - | - |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (4 OCPU, 56 GB) | 8 | 56 GB | $0.3000 | $219.00 | - | - |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (8 OCPU, 112 GB) | 16 | 112 GB | $0.6000 | $438.00 | - | - |
| VM.Optimized3.Flex (16 OCPU, 224 GB) | 32 | 224 GB | $1.2000 | $876.00 | - | - |
How OCI Compute 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.
Spot / Preemptible
Use spare capacity at steep discounts. Best for fault-tolerant, batch, and stateless workloads.
Monthly Cost Examples
OCI OCI Compute Free Tier
Free limit: 2 instances (1/8 OCPU, 1 GB RAM each). This free tier never expires and renews monthly.
Free Tier Comparison
| Provider | Service | Free Offering | Duration | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCI | OCI Compute | VM.Standard.E2.1.Micro | Always | 2 instances (1/8 OCPU, 1 GB RAM each) |
| AWS | EC2 | t2.micro or t3.micro | 12 months | 750 hrs/mo |
| Azure | Virtual Machines | B1s Linux | 12 months | 750 hrs/mo |
| GCP | Compute Engine | e2-micro | Always | 1 instance in us-west1/us-central1/us-east1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OCI OCI Compute?
OCI OCI Compute is a cloud service offered by OCI. It provides various configurations (30 pricing tiers available) with pay-as-you-go and committed-use pricing options.
How much does OCI OCI Compute cost per month?
Prices range from $13.87/month for VM.Standard.A1.Flex (1 OCPU, 6 GB) to $2,149.12/month for VM.Standard.E5.Flex (64 OCPU, 512 GB) on On-Demand pricing in us-ashburn-1.
Does OCI OCI Compute have a free tier?
OCI offers various free tier options. Check the official OCI pricing page for the most current free tier details for OCI Compute.
How many OCI OCI Compute pricing tiers are available?
There are 30 pricing tiers available for OCI OCI Compute. These range from entry-level configurations to high-performance options for enterprise workloads.
What pricing models does OCI OCI Compute offer?
OCI OCI Compute 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.