Is deleting instances permanent?

Yes, deleting an instance permanently removes it and its data unless you created a snapshot first.

Do snapshots cost money?

Yes, snapshots incur storage charges even if no instances are running.

Does this close my AWS account?

No, deleting Lightsail resources does not close your AWS account. You can still use other AWS services.

How to Cancel AWS Lightsail (2026)

AWS Lightsail plans start from $3.50/month. Follow our 6-step guide to cancel your subscription in about 10 minutes — with tips to avoid retention offers.

Updated: March 2026

from $3.50/month

(≈ ZAR 58.37)

EasyYou save $42.00/year by cancelling

Estimated Time:10 minutes

Cancel Method:Website

Sign in to AWS Lightsail

Go to lightsail.aws.amazon.com and sign in to your AWS account.

Identify running resources

Review all running instances, databases, load balancers, and static IPs.

Create snapshots if needed

Create snapshots of any instances or databases you want to preserve.

Delete instances

Click the three-dot menu on each instance and select 'Delete'. Confirm deletion.

Delete other resources

Delete databases, load balancers, and release static IPs to stop all billing.

Verify no resources remain

Check all regions to ensure no billable resources remain active.

Retention Tips

AWS does not have aggressive retention. They'll warn about data loss and running costs.

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FAQ

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