Google has launched a premium version of its Developer Program, offering new perks for a $299 annual fee.
 The paid membership adds several features, such as direct consultations with Google Cloud experts, access to Google Cloud Skills Boost training, and $500 in annual cloud credits.
Members will also receive a certification voucher and extra cloud credits upon passing a Google Cloud certification.
This new tier aims to expand the resources available to developers beyond what the free program offers, which includes AI-driven documentation and early access to new tools.
While competitors like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Azure have premium services, Google’s paid membership targets individual developers, unlike AWS’s focus on business support.
However, the premium service is limited in certain regions like the U.K. and Europe, where it can only be used for business or professional purposes.
Some developers may feel disappointed by the shift to a paid structure, as Google had previously indicated the free program would continue to grow without introducing fees.
This move follows the discontinuation of the Cloud Innovators Plus program, which offered similar benefits for the same price.
