Free Real Quantum Hardware
Access actual quantum processing units (QPUs) for free — from superconducting chips to trapped-ion systems.
What "free" means for real hardware
IBM Quantum is truly free for open accounts (with queue times). AWS Braket and IonQ via cloud providers offer free credits for new users. Academic programs and research partnerships can unlock extended free access. Always check current pricing — credits/limits may change.
IBM Quantum
SuperconductingTransmonTruly FreeIBM Quantum provides free, open access to a fleet of real quantum computers via IBM Quantum Platform. Open accounts get unlimited access to systems with 5–127 qubits. Queue times apply.
IBM Eagle / Heron
IBM Falcon
IBM Sparrow (Premium)
How to get free access
- 1Go to quantum.ibm.com and create a free IBM ID account.
- 2After login, copy your API token from the Account section.
- 3Install the Qiskit IBM Runtime SDK: pip install qiskit-ibm-runtime
- 4Save your credentials locally (one-time setup), then submit jobs to any free QPU.
from qiskit_ibm_runtime import QiskitRuntimeService
from qiskit_ibm_runtime import SamplerV2 as Sampler
# Save credentials once
QiskitRuntimeService.save_account(
channel="ibm_quantum",
token="YOUR_IBM_QUANTUM_TOKEN"
)
service = QiskitRuntimeService(channel="ibm_quantum")
# Pick the least busy real QPU (free tier)
backend = service.least_busy(
operational=True,
simulator=False,
min_num_qubits=2
)
print(f"Running on: {backend.name}")
sampler = Sampler(mode=backend)
job = sampler.run([transpiled_qc])
result = job.result()IonQ (via AWS Braket & Azure Quantum)
Trapped-ion#AQ29Free CreditsIonQ operates trapped-ion quantum computers accessible through AWS Braket and Azure Quantum. New accounts on both platforms receive free credits. IonQ systems feature very low gate error rates and all-to-all connectivity.
IonQ Aria
IonQ Forte
How to get free access
- 1Create an AWS account (aws.amazon.com) — free tier available.
- 2Navigate to Amazon Braket service in the AWS Console and enable it.
- 3New AWS accounts may receive Braket credits; check the Braket pricing page for details.
- 4Use the Braket Python SDK to submit circuits to IonQ hardware.
from braket.aws import AwsDevice
from braket.circuits import Circuit
# IonQ Aria on AWS Braket
device = AwsDevice("arn:aws:braket:us-east-1::device/qpu/ionq/Aria-1")
circuit = Circuit()
circuit.h(0).cnot(0, 1)
# Note: each shot has a cost. Check current pricing.
task = device.run(circuit, shots=100)
result = task.result()
print(result.measurement_counts)Quantinuum (via Azure Quantum)
Trapped-ionTKETFree CreditsQuantinuum (formerly Honeywell) offers some of the highest-fidelity trapped-ion quantum systems. Access them through Microsoft Azure Quantum, which provides free credits for new users.
H1 (Powered by Honeywell)
H2
How to get free access
- 1Create an Azure account at portal.azure.com.
- 2Search for "Azure Quantum" and create a Quantum workspace.
- 3New Azure accounts receive $200 in free credits, usable on Quantinuum QPUs.
- 4Install azure-quantum and submit circuits from Python.
from azure.quantum import Workspace
from azure.quantum.qiskit import AzureQuantumProvider
workspace = Workspace(
resource_id="/subscriptions/.../Microsoft.Quantum/Workspaces/...",
location="eastus"
)
provider = AzureQuantumProvider(workspace)
backend = provider.get_backend("quantinuum.qpu.h1-1")
# Submit your Qiskit circuit to real H1 hardware
job = backend.run(transpiled_qc, shots=100)
print(job.result())Academic & Research Programs
IBM Quantum Network — Academic
Universities and research labs can apply for the IBM Quantum Network to gain priority access, larger qubit counts, and dedicated systems at no cost.
Learn moreAWS Braket Research Credits
Academic researchers can apply for AWS research credits, which cover Braket cloud simulator and QPU costs. Typically $5,000–$20,000 in credits.
Learn moreNVIDIA Academic Program
Get free GPU access (for CUDA-Q and other tools) through the NVIDIA Academic Hardware Grant program. Available to active researchers.
Learn moreIonQ Startup & Academic Access
IonQ offers dedicated programs for startups and academic institutions. Apply for credits and priority system access through their partner program.
Learn moreAccess any QPU through HLQuantum
With HLQuantum you can target real hardware on IBM Quantum, IonQ, Amazon Braket, and more — without changing your circuit code. Just switch the backend flag and HLQuantum handles the transpilation, error mitigation, and job submission for you.
import hlquantum as hlq qc = hlq.Circuit(2) qc.h(0).cx(0, 1).measure_all() # Run on real IBM QPU result = hlq.run(qc, backend="qiskit", device="ibm_sherbrooke") # Run on real IonQ QPU result = hlq.run(qc, backend="ionq", device="aria-1")