What are the Key Advantages of Virtual Machines – and where to get them?

Cloud-based virtual machines (VMs) offer several advantages over traditional physical PCs – access and trust are factors!

While cloud based machines have many advantages, it needs to be secure and affordable.

1. Scalability

• Cloud VMs: Easily scale resources (CPU, RAM, storage) up or down based on demand. This flexibility is particularly useful for handling peak loads or growing workloads.
• Physical PCs: Scaling resources often requires physical hardware upgrades, which can be time-consuming and costly.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

• Cloud VMs: Pay only for the resources you use, with no need for upfront capital investment in hardware. Many cloud providers offer free tiers and pay-as-you-go pricing models.
• Physical PCs: Require initial capital investment for hardware, ongoing maintenance costs, and potential upgrades.

3. Accessibility

• Cloud VMs: Access your VMs from anywhere with an internet connection, making remote work and collaboration more flexible.
• Physical PCs: Access is limited to the physical location of the PC, unless remote access software is used.

4. Maintenance and Updates

• Cloud VMs: Cloud providers handle hardware maintenance, software updates, and security patches, reducing the burden on your IT staff.
• Physical PCs: Require regular maintenance, software updates, and security patches, which can be resource-intensive.

5. Disaster Recovery and Data Backup

• Cloud VMs: Cloud providers typically offer robust disaster recovery and data backup services, ensuring data is safe and recoverable.
• Physical PCs: Data backup and disaster recovery need to be manually set up and managed, which can be complex and less reliable.

6. High Availability and Reliability

• Cloud VMs: Cloud providers often have redundant infrastructure and multiple data centers, which ensures high availability and reliability.
• Physical PCs: Single points of failure can lead to downtime, and maintaining high availability requires additional hardware and infrastructure.

7. Environmental Impact

• Cloud VMs: Cloud data centers are often more energy-efficient and have better power management, reducing the overall environmental impact.
• Physical PCs: Individual PCs consume more energy and have a higher environmental footprint, especially when considering the energy used for cooling and power supply.

8. Security

• Cloud VMs: Cloud providers implement advanced security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection, and encryption, to protect your data and applications.
• Physical PCs: Security measures need to be implemented and maintained by the organization, which can be challenging and resource-intensive.

9. Integration with Other Services

• Cloud VMs: Easily integrate with other cloud services (e.g., databases, storage, AI/ML) to build more complex and powerful applications.
• Physical PCs: Integration with other services can be more complex and may require additional hardware and software.

10. Rapid Deployment

• Cloud VMs: Spin up new VMs quickly and easily, often in just a few minutes, to meet changing business needs.
• Physical PCs: Deploying new PCs can take days or weeks, including procurement, setup, and configuration.

Summary

Advantage	Cloud VMs	Physical PCs
Scalability	Easily scale resources up or down.	Requires physical hardware upgrades.
Cost-Effectiveness	Pay-as-you-go pricing, no upfront capital investment.	Initial capital investment, ongoing maintenance costs.
Accessibility	Access from anywhere with an internet connection.	Limited to physical location, requires remote access software.
Maintenance and Updates	Cloud providers handle maintenance and updates.	Requires regular maintenance and updates by IT staff.
Disaster Recovery and Backup	Robust disaster recovery and data backup services.	Manual setup and management of backup and disaster recovery.
High Availability and Reliability	Redundant infrastructure, multiple data centers.	Single points of failure, additional hardware needed for high availability.
Environmental Impact	More energy-efficient, better power management.	Higher energy consumption and environmental footprint.
Security	Advanced security measures implemented by cloud providers.	Security measures need to be implemented and maintained by the organization.
Integration with Other Services	Easy integration with other cloud services.	Complex integration with other services.
Rapid Deployment	Quick and easy deployment of new VMs.	Time-consuming deployment process, including procurement and setup.

These advantages make cloud-based VMs a compelling choice for many organizations, especially those looking for flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and robust infrastructure.

NetworkChuck, also known as Chuck Keith, is a popular technology YouTuber who has provided in-depth reviews and tutorials on various cloud and virtualization solutions. While the specific context provided does not directly mention a “best” free cloud-based virtual machine (VM) recommended by NetworkChuck, we can infer some recommendations based on his content and the broader context of free cloud-based VMs.

Overview of Free Cloud-Based VMs

1. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

• Free Tier: Google Cloud offers a free tier that includes 2 micro VMs, 2 databases, and an ARM Ampere VM option. The free tier also includes a Debian VM with 5GB of storage, known as Cloud Shell, which can be used at any time. However, it’s important to note that the free tier has a 1GB/month egress limit, which can be a limitation for some applications.

1. Oracle Cloud

• Free Tier: Oracle Cloud provides a more generous free tier, offering 2 micro VMs, 2 databases, and an ARM Ampere VM option. This makes it a strong contender for those looking for more resources without a cost.

1. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

• Free Tier: AWS offers a free tier for the first year, which includes a certain number of EC2 hours. This can be a good starting point for beginners and small projects.

1. Azure

• Free Tier: Azure provides a time-limited free trial, which includes access to VMs. However, the free trial is not entirely free as it uses additional resources that may incur costs.

1. DigitalOcean

• Free Tier: DigitalOcean also offers a time-limited free trial, which can be useful for short-term projects and testing.

Tec Community Recommendations

While regards for the general consensus in the tech community, the following options are likely to be highly recommended:

1. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

• Pros: Generous free tier, good performance, and a wide range of services.
• Cons: Limited egress data, which can be a bottleneck for some applications.
• Use Case: Ideal for small projects, testing, and development.

1. Oracle Cloud

• Pros: More generous free tier with 2 micro VMs and 2 databases, good performance.
• Cons: Less popular compared to GCP and AWS, which may affect community support and documentation.
• Use Case: Suitable for medium-sized projects and those requiring more resources.

1. AWS (Amazon Web Services)

• Pros: Extensive ecosystem, robust services, and a large community.
• Cons: Steep learning curve, can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Use Case: Best for those who plan to scale up and use a wide range of AWS services.

Conclusion

Based on the available information and the general trends in the tech community, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Oracle Cloud are likely to be the top recommendations for a free cloud-based VM. Both platforms offer generous free tiers and good performance, making them suitable for a wide range of use cases, from small projects to medium-sized applications.

Summary Table

Provider	Free Tier Resources	Pros	Cons	Use Case
Google Cloud	2 micro VMs, 2 databases, ARM Ampere VM, Debian VM with 5GB storage, 1GB/month egress	Generous free tier, good performance, wide range of services	Limited egress data, can be a bottleneck for some applications	Small projects, testing, development
Oracle Cloud	2 micro VMs, 2 databases, ARM Ampere VM	More generous free tier, good performance	Less popular, may affect community support and documentation	Medium-sized projects, those requiring more resources
AWS	1 year free tier with EC2 hours	Extensive ecosystem, robust services, large community	Steep learning curve, can be overwhelming for beginners	Those who plan to scale up and use a wide range of AWS services
Azure	Time-limited free trial with VM access	Good for Microsoft ecosystem, integrates well with other Azure services	Not entirely free due to additional resource usage	Short-term projects, testing
DigitalOcean	Time-limited free trial with VM access	Easy to use, good for beginners	Time-limited, may not be suitable for long-term projects	Short-term projects, testing

This table provides a concise summary of the most important information, helping you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Additional Free Cloud-Based Virtual Machine Providers

When it comes to free cloud-based virtual machine (VM) providers, several options stand out for their reliability, features, and performance. These providers offer a range of services suitable for various use cases, from testing and development to lightweight applications. Here’s a detailed overview of the best free cloud-based VM providers as of May 2025:

1. Site24x7’s VM

• Best For: Infrastructure and performance monitoring
• Performance Monitoring: ✔️
• Multi-Monitor Support: ❌
• Device Support: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux
• Free Trial: 30 Days
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Site24x7’s VM is ideal for monitoring and managing your infrastructure. It offers robust performance monitoring tools and supports a wide range of devices, making it a versatile choice for IT professionals. The 30-day free trial allows you to test its capabilities thoroughly before committing to a paid plan.

2. Remote Access Plus

• Best For: IT support and troubleshooting
• Performance Monitoring: ✔️
• Multi-Monitor Support: ✔️
• Device Support: Windows, Linux, Mac OS
• Free Trial: 30 Days
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Remote Access Plus is designed for IT support and troubleshooting. It provides performance monitoring and multi-monitor support, making it a powerful tool for managing remote desktops and servers. The 30-day free trial gives you ample time to evaluate its features.

3. RemotePC

• Best For: Remote work and personal use
• Performance Monitoring: ❌
• Multi-Monitor Support: ✔️
• Device Support: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
• Free Trial: 7 Days
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: RemotePC is a versatile solution for remote work and personal use. It supports multiple devices and offers multi-monitor support, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The 7-day free trial is a good starting point to explore its capabilities.

4. Zoho Assist

• Best For: Remote support and access
• Performance Monitoring: ❌
• Multi-Monitor Support: ✔️
• Device Support: Windows, Mac, Linux, Mac OS, Android
• Free Trial: 15 Days
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Zoho Assist is designed for remote support and access, offering multi-monitor support and compatibility with various devices. It is an excellent choice for IT professionals and support teams. The 15-day free trial allows you to test its features and see if it meets your needs.

5. Shells

• Best For: Personal cloud computing and development
• Performance Monitoring: ❌
• Multi-Monitor Support: ✔️
• Device Support: Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS
• Free Trial: 7 Days
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Shells is a personal cloud computing and development platform that supports multiple devices and offers multi-monitor support. It is ideal for developers and individuals who need a flexible and powerful cloud environment. The 7-day free trial is a good way to get started.

6. Kamatera

• Best For: High-performance and reliable hosting
• Features: High-speed SSD storage, customizable server configurations, full root access, advanced security features
• Free Trial: Free VM hosting with limited resources
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Kamatera is a leading provider of high-performance and reliable hosting solutions. It offers a free VM hosting service with basic CPU, RAM, and storage resources, making it suitable for testing, development, and lightweight applications. Kamatera’s advanced features, including full root access and robust security, make it a strong choice for developers.

7. Oracle Cloud

• Best For: Basic VM deployment
• Features: Always-free instances, 20 GB SSD storage, 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM
• Free Trial: Always-free tier with no time limits
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: Oracle Cloud offers always-free instances that are ideal for basic VM deployment. The free tier includes 20 GB SSD storage, 1 vCPU, and 1 GB RAM, making it a cost-effective solution for small projects and testing. The always-free tier has no time limits, providing a consistent and reliable environment.

8. AWS Free Tier

• Best For: Basic VM deployment and cloud services
• Features: 750 hours of t2.micro instances per month, 30 GB of SSD volume storage, 15 GB of data transfer out
• Free Trial: 12 months
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: AWS Free Tier offers a range of free services, including 750 hours of t2.micro instances per month, 30 GB of SSD volume storage, and 15 GB of data transfer out. This makes it an excellent choice for beginners and small projects. The 12-month free trial period allows you to explore a wide range of AWS services.

9. IBM Cloud Free Tier

• Best For: Basic VM deployment and cloud services
• Features: Over 40 always-free products, 200 USD credit on any product in the IBM Cloud catalog
• Free Trial: Always-free tier with no time limits
• Link: [Learn More]
• Description: IBM Cloud Free Tier provides over 40 always-free products, including VMs, storage, and various cloud services. It also includes a 200 USD credit on any product in the IBM Cloud catalog, making it a versatile and cost-effective solution for small projects and testing.

Summary Table

Provider	Best For	Features	Free Trial / Tier	Link
Site24x7’s VM	Infrastructure and performance monitoring	Performance monitoring, multi-monitor support, device support (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux)	30 Days	[Learn More]
Remote Access Plus	IT support and troubleshooting	Performance monitoring, multi-monitor support, device support (Windows, Linux, Mac OS)	30 Days	[Learn More]
RemotePC	Remote work and personal use	Multi-monitor support, device support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS)	7 Days	[Learn More]
Zoho Assist	Remote support and access	Multi-monitor support, device support (Windows, Mac, Linux, Mac OS, Android)	15 Days	[Learn More]
Shells	Personal cloud computing and development	Multi-monitor support, device support (Linux, Mac OS, Windows, Android, iOS)	7 Days	[Learn More]
Kamatera	High-performance and reliable hosting	High-speed SSD storage, customizable server configurations, full root access, advanced security features	Free VM hosting with limited resources	[Learn More]
Oracle Cloud	Basic VM deployment	Always-free instances, 20 GB SSD storage, 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM	Always-free tier with no time limits	[Learn More]
AWS Free Tier	Basic VM deployment and cloud services	750 hours of t2.micro instances per month, 30 GB SSD volume storage, 15 GB data transfer out	12 months	[Learn More]
IBM Cloud Free Tier	Basic VM deployment and cloud services	Over 40 always-free products, 200 USD credit on any product in the IBM Cloud catalog	Always-free tier with no time limits	[Learn More]

These providers offer a range of features and free trials, making it easier to choose the one that best fits your specific needs and use cases.