Amazon Lightsail review

Amazon Lightsail is the easiest route into AWS for developers who do not want to learn EC2 pricing. Each bundle is one monthly price: the smallest IPv6-only Linux bundle with 512 MB of memory, 2 vCPUs, 20 GB of SSD and 1 TB of transfer costs $3.50, and the equivalent with a public IPv4 address costs $5. A 1 GB bundle with IPv4 is $7 and 2 GB is $12. Every plan includes a static IP, DNS management, server monitoring, an API and one-click SSH or RDP in the browser. Load balancers cost a flat $18 per month and block storage can be attached to Linux or Windows servers. The fine print is regional: AWS notes that regions such as Mumbai, Sydney, Hong Kong and Sao Paulo include half the data transfer allowance. Lightsail also offers fewer machine types than a full cloud, so very CPU-heavy or GPU workloads belong elsewhere.

Who it is for

Developers who want a simple VPS that can connect to AWS later

Price

From $3.50 per month for an IPv6-only bundle (512 MB, 2 vCPUs, 20 GB SSD); $5 per month with a public IPv4 address.

General Purpose $3.50 USD/mo 512 MB Memory 2 vCPUs 20 GB SSD Disk 1 TB Transfer
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Bundles that combine memory, vCPUs, SSD storage and transfer in one monthly price
• Static IP address, DNS management and server monitoring included in all plans
• One-click SSH for Linux and one-click RDP for Windows
• Load balancers at $18 per month
• API access and highly available SSD block storage

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Clear bundle prices, from $3.50 IPv6-only or $5 with IPv4
• Strength: 1 TB of transfer included even on the smallest bundle
• Strength: Runs on AWS infrastructure for later moves to other AWS services
• Weakness: Some Asia-Pacific and South American regions include half the listed transfer
• Weakness: Smallest bundles have only 512 MB of memory
• Weakness: Fewer instance types than a full cloud such as Vultr or DigitalOcean

Key facts

• Starting price: $3.50 per month, IPv6 only
• With public IPv4: From $5 per month
• Load balancer: $18 per month

Where it ranks

Amazon Lightsail is No. 5 in our Best VPS Hosting Providers verdict.