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You can try IBM quantum computers remotely through IBM Quantum Platform—no quantum hardware of your own is needed. For a visual introduction, use IBM Quantum Composer; for a code-first hardware run, set up Qiskit Runtime with an IBM Cloud Quantum Compute instance, API key, and instance CRN. The key distinction: Composer can show simulated results, while running a circuit on a QPU requires sign-in and service access.
Choose a route: simulation, Composer, or Python
Start by deciding whether you want to learn circuit structure, run a circuit without writing code, or build a reproducible Python workflow. A simulation is useful for learning, but it is not execution on a quantum processor.
| Route | What you do | Access and cost | Best first use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer without signing in | Build a small circuit graphically and inspect simulated visualizations. | IBM documents unsigned visualizations for circuits up to four qubits; results are simulated. | Learning gates and circuit structure. |
| Composer while signed in | Build a circuit in the graphical tool and, where service access is available, select hardware. | Hardware execution requires sign-in and service access. | A first hands-on circuit without writing Python. |
| Qiskit Runtime from Python | Install the Qiskit packages, authenticate to an IBM Cloud service instance, and submit a job. | The Open Plan advertises up to 10 minutes of QPU runtime monthly at no cost. IBM lists pay-as-you-go starting at $96 USD per minute; check IBM’s current plan page for terms and availability. | Reproducible programs and a developer workflow. |
IBM describes Composer as “a graphical quantum programming tool that lets you drag and drop operations to build quantum circuits and run them on quantum hardware.” See the IBM Quantum Composer guide. You can also generate OpenQASM or Python from a Composer circuit. Save or download the circuit file if you want to retain it for a later session.
The Open Plan allowance and listed pay-as-you-go starting price are IBM product-plan figures accessed on October 4, 2026, not independent measurements or a promise that a particular backend will be available to your account. Verify current plan details on IBM’s plans page.
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Try Composer for a visual first circuit
- Open IBM Quantum Composer.
- Drag gates or other operations into the circuit, then inspect the available visualizations.
- If you are not signed in, treat the displayed results as simulation. IBM documents unsigned visualization for up to four qubits; signing in is required to run on hardware or visualize larger circuits.
- To retain your work, save or download the circuit file before leaving the session.
Composer is a good starting point if you want to see how gates fit together without installing software. It does not make unsigned results hardware runs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Set up Python access to IBM quantum hardware
The code-first workflow uses Qiskit Runtime. You need an IBM Cloud account, a Quantum Compute service instance you can access, the instance’s Cloud Resource Name (CRN), an API key, and an active Python environment with Qiskit and qiskit-ibm-runtime installed.
- Sign in and choose the intended account and region. Sign in to IBM Quantum Platform and IBM Cloud, then confirm the IBM Cloud account and region in the platform account switcher. The selected region affects where jobs run and where data is kept; only instances created in that region are visible.
- Make a Quantum Compute instance available. Create a Quantum Compute service instance, or accept an invitation to an instance administered by someone else. Confirm it appears under the selected region.
- Create an API key and copy the CRN. Create an IBM Cloud API key and store it securely; IBM says the key is not shown again after creation. Copy the instance CRN from the Instances page.
- Install the current packages in your Python environment. Follow IBM’s Qiskit installation guide and use its current instructions for installing Qiskit and
qiskit-ibm-runtime. - Authenticate and submit a circuit. Initialize
QiskitRuntimeServicewith your cloud API token and instance CRN, then follow IBM’s Run your first circuit on hardware guide to select an available backend and submit a job.
Keep the API key out of shared notebooks, source files, and public or untrusted computers. IBM’s local saved-credential option stores credentials as plain text, not encrypted storage. If you are working on an untrusted environment, follow IBM’s instructions for using credentials in an untrusted environment rather than persisting them locally.
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What to check if an instance or backend is missing
- No instance is visible: check that the platform is set to the IBM Cloud account and region where the instance was created, and verify that you have access to it.
- You cannot select a QPU: confirm that you are signed in and that your Quantum Compute instance is available. Backend listings and account access can vary, so inspect the current platform rather than assuming every account can use every processor.
- A job has not completed yet: availability and wait times can vary. IBM’s documentation does not establish a universal queue-time guarantee, so use the job status shown in the platform or your client workflow.
- You only see a simulated result: unsigned Composer visualizations are simulations. Sign in and use an available service instance to pursue hardware execution.
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