How to Create a VPS on Google Cloud with Docker (No Credit Card Needed)

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Are you looking for a quick and completely free way to run a full Ubuntu desktop environment — directly in your browser — with no virtual machines, no billing, and no setup hassle?

You’re in the right place.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a lightweight Ubuntu VPS (virtual desktop) using Google Cloud Shell and Docker in under 2 minutes — absolutely free.

What You’ll Need

Before we dive in, make sure you have:

  1. A Google Cloud Platform (GCP) account.
  2. Access to the Google Cloud Console.
  3. A basic understanding of the command line.
  4. A free ngrok account.

⚡ Why This is Awesome

  • ✅ 100% Free — no credit card or billing account needed.
  • ✅ No VM setup, no SSH — it’s all in your browser.
  • ✅ Powered by Google Cloud Shell — 5GB storage & 1 vCPU.
  • ✅ Full Ubuntu Desktop (LXDE) accessible via web preview.
  • ✅ Beginner-friendly — perfect for learning Linux or quick testing.

🧰 What You’ll Need

  • A Google account
  • A modern web browser
  • A couple of minutes

🚀 Step-by-Step Guide

✅ Step 1: Open Google Cloud Shell

Click this link to open Google Cloud Shell in a new tab:

👉 https://shell.cloud.google.com/?fromcloudshell=true&show=terminal&pli=1

You may be asked to log in with your Google Account and allow permissions. Just click “Allow” and proceed.

🐳 Step 2: Run the Ubuntu Desktop Container

Once the terminal loads, paste the following command:

docker run -p 8080:80 dorowu/ubuntu-desktop-lxde-vnc

This will:

  • Pull the Docker image containing the Ubuntu LXDE desktop
  • Start the container
  • Map the container’s internal web server (port 80) to port 8080 on Cloud Shell

🕒 Wait for the download and setup to finish. It might take 1–2 minutes the first time.

🌐 Step 3: Open the Web-Based Desktop

Once the container is running:

  1. Click the “Web Preview” icon (🔍) in the top-right corner of the Cloud Shell window.
  2. From the dropdown, select “Preview on port 8080”.

This opens a new tab in your browser with the Ubuntu LXDE desktop interface, right inside your browser.

🎉 You now have a remote desktop VPS, powered entirely by Docker and Google Cloud Shell!

🖥️ What’s Inside?

This Ubuntu desktop environment includes:

  • A lightweight LXDE interface
  • A terminal for running Linux commands
  • File manager
  • Pre-installed Firefox browser
  • Support for installing other Linux apps via apt install

It’s like having a mini Linux PC in your browser!

🧼 Notes & Tips

  • Session Timeout: Google Cloud Shell times out after 1 hour of inactivity.
  • Storage: You get 5GB of persistent storage (in your $HOME directory).
  • Performance: This is good for light tasks, testing, or learning Linux — not intended for heavy apps or gaming.
  • Persistence: Once the session ends, the container will stop. You can always restart it using the same docker run command.

✅ Final Thoughts

You just launched a full Ubuntu desktop environment in the cloud with:

  • No setup hassle
  • No VM creation
  • No cost

It’s a great way to learn Linux, test software, or access a desktop environment on the go — straight from your browser.

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