Article
Best Free Domain Hosting in 2026 - Host Your Site for $0
Launch your website without hosting costs. We tested the best free web hosting services to find which offer reliable uptime, adequate resources, and genuine value.
Free web hosting allows you to launch websites without monthly costs, making it ideal for testing projects, learning web development, small personal sites, and budget-conscious beginners.
We tested 15 free hosting services, creating actual websites to evaluate storage, bandwidth, uptime, features, and hidden limitations. Here are the 10 best free domain hosting services that deliver genuine value in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Host | Storage | Bandwidth | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. InfinityFree | 5GB disk space | Unlimited | ★4.6/5 |
| 2. 000webhost | 300MB disk space | 3GB/month | ★4.4/5 |
| 3. AwardSpace Free | 1GB SSD storage | 5GB/month | ★4.3/5 |
| 4. Freehostia | 250MB disk space | 6GB/month | ★4.2/5 |
| 5. GoogieHost | 1GB disk space | 100GB/month | ★4.1/5 |
| 6. Byet.host | 5GB disk space | Unlimited | ★4/5 |
| 7. GitHub Pages | 1GB repository | 100GB/month | ★4.2/5 |
| 8. Netlify Free | 100GB bandwidth | 100GB/month | ★4.1/5 |
| 9. Vercel Free | 100GB bandwidth | 100GB/month | ★4/5 |
| 10. Google Sites | 15GB (shared Google storage) | Unlimited | ★3.9/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
InfinityFree
InfinityFree provides the most generous free hosting package with 5GB storage and unlimited bandwidth (with a 50,000 daily hit limit). You can connect your own domain names, install WordPress with one click via VistaPanel, and get free SSL certificates—making it ideal for small business sites and personal projects that won't receive massive traffic.
Pros
- ✓Generous 5GB storage space
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth (50K hits/day)
- ✓Connect unlimited domains
- ✓Free SSL certificates included
- ✓One-click WordPress installer
Cons
- ✗50,000 daily hit limit
- ✗Ads on free subdomains
- ✗Limited PHP capabilities
000webhost
000webhost (owned by Hostinger) offers ad-free hosting with easy WordPress installation, making it perfect for testing WordPress sites or small blogs. While limited to 300MB storage and 3GB monthly bandwidth, the lack of forced advertising and cPanel-style control panel provide a clean, professional experience.
Pros
- ✓Easy WordPress installation
- ✓No forced ads displayed
- ✓Free website builder included
- ✓cPanel-based control panel
- ✓PHP and MySQL support
Cons
- ✗Only 300MB storage space
- ✗3GB monthly bandwidth limit
- ✗1 website per account only
AwardSpace Free
AwardSpace Free stands out for its completely ad-free hosting experience with 1GB of SSD storage (faster than traditional drives) and the ability to host 4 domains. Founded in 2003, it's one of the most established free hosts, offering 5GB monthly bandwidth and free SSL—perfect for small business sites prioritizing professionalism.
Pros
- ✓Completely ad-free hosting
- ✓1GB SSD storage (faster)
- ✓Host up to 4 domains
- ✓Free SSL certificates
- ✓Established since 2003
Cons
- ✗Only 5GB monthly bandwidth
- ✗Limited email accounts (5)
- ✗Smaller storage than competitors
Freehostia
Freehostia's Chocolate plan offers clustered hosting infrastructure for better reliability, supporting up to 5 domains with 250MB storage and 6GB monthly bandwidth. The one-click installer supports 50+ applications including WordPress, no ads are displayed, and 24/7 ticket support provides assistance when needed—ideal for stable, reliable hosting.
Pros
- ✓Clustered hosting infrastructure
- ✓No ads displayed
- ✓Host up to 5 domains
- ✓One-click app installer (50+ apps)
- ✓24/7 ticket support
Cons
- ✗Only 250MB storage
- ✗Limited to 3 email accounts
- ✗Smaller feature set
GoogieHost
GoogieHost provides impressive bandwidth (100GB monthly) with advanced features including the Softaculous one-click installer for easy app installation. While limited to 1GB storage and 1 website, the generous bandwidth, free SSL, and advanced PHP support make it suitable for content-heavy sites with moderate traffic.
Pros
- ✓Generous 100GB bandwidth
- ✓Softaculous one-click installer
- ✓Free subdomains included
- ✓Free SSL certificates
- ✓Advanced PHP features
Cons
- ✗Only 1GB storage
- ✗Limited to 1 website
- ✗Less established provider
Byet.host
Byet.host offers 5GB storage with unlimited bandwidth (50,000 daily hit limit) and unlimited addon domains, making it one of the most generous free hosting options. While similar to InfinityFree (both use VistaPanel), occasional ads and less consistent uptime place it slightly lower—but it's excellent for sites needing storage space.
Pros
- ✓Generous 5GB storage
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth claim
- ✓Unlimited addon domains
- ✓Free SSL certificates
- ✓VistaPanel control panel
Cons
- ✗50K daily hits limit (like InfinityFree)
- ✗Can display ads occasionally
- ✗Inconsistent uptime reports
GitHub Pages
GitHub Pages excels at hosting static websites with exceptional reliability, free custom domain support, and built-in Git version control. Limited to static content (HTML/CSS/JavaScript—no databases or server-side processing), it's perfect for portfolios, documentation sites, and developer projects requiring version control.
Pros
- ✓Excellent reliability and uptime
- ✓Free custom domain connection
- ✓Git version control built-in
- ✓100GB monthly bandwidth
- ✓Perfect for developers
Cons
- ✗Static sites only (no backend/database)
- ✗1GB storage limit
- ✗10 builds per hour limit
Netlify Free
Netlify Free targets modern web development with automatic deployments from Git repositories, built-in form handling, and excellent JAMstack support. While limited to static sites with 100GB bandwidth and 300 build minutes monthly, it's ideal for developers building React, Vue, or static site generator projects.
Pros
- ✓Automatic HTTPS/SSL
- ✓Continuous deployment from Git
- ✓100GB bandwidth included
- ✓Form handling included
- ✓Excellent for JAMstack sites
Cons
- ✗Static sites only
- ✗100GB bandwidth limit (soft)
- ✗300 build minutes/month cap
Vercel Free
Vercel Free (creators of Next.js) provides exceptional hosting for Next.js and React applications with serverless functions, global edge network, and automatic optimizations. Limited to 100GB bandwidth with commercial use restrictions on free tier, it's perfect for developer portfolios and non-commercial Next.js projects.
Pros
- ✓Optimized for Next.js
- ✓Serverless functions included
- ✓Global edge network
- ✓Automatic HTTPS
- ✓Exceptional performance
Cons
- ✗Best for Next.js/React projects
- ✗100GB bandwidth limit
- ✗Commercial use restrictions
Google Sites
Google Sites offers the simplest free hosting with ability to connect custom domains at no cost, 15GB storage shared with your Google account, and Google's excellent uptime. While website building capabilities are basic, it's perfect for internal company sites, team wikis, and simple informational pages requiring Google Workspace integration.
Pros
- ✓Free custom domain connection
- ✓15GB shared Google storage
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth
- ✓Collaborative editing
- ✓Google reliability and uptime
Cons
- ✗Very basic website features
- ✗Limited design options
- ✗Not suitable for complex sites
Understanding Free Hosting Limitations
Free hosting services have significant limitations compared to paid hosting:
Storage Restrictions
Free hosting typically provides:
- 250MB - 1GB: Basic storage for small sites
- 5GB: Generous free tier (InfinityFree, Byet.host)
- File size limits: Often 2MB maximum per upload
- Inode limits: Restrictions on number of files/folders
This is sufficient for simple sites with limited images but inadequate for media-heavy content.
Bandwidth Caps
Monthly data transfer limits include:
- 3-10GB/month: Enough for low-traffic sites (100-500 visitors)
- 50,000 hits/day: Generous but can be exceeded quickly
- 100GB/month: Developer platforms (GitHub, Netlify, Vercel)
- Unlimited: Usually has hidden daily hit limits
Exceeding limits can result in suspended sites or forced upgrades.
Performance Issues
Free hosting often suffers from:
- Slower loading speeds due to shared resources
- Frequent downtimes compared to paid hosting
- Server overcrowding affecting performance
- Limited CPU/RAM causing slow script execution
These issues impact user experience and SEO rankings.
Security Concerns
Free hosting may lack:
- SSL certificates (though many now include free SSL)
- Regular automated backups
- Malware scanning and protection
- DDoS mitigation capabilities
- Security updates and patches
Sites handling sensitive data should use paid hosting with robust security.
Feature Limitations
Free tiers restrict:
- Email accounts: 0-5 email addresses
- Databases: Limited MySQL databases
- FTP access: Sometimes restricted
- Cron jobs: Often unavailable
- Custom PHP settings: Limited configuration
Professional sites need these features for full functionality.
Advertising Requirements
Some free hosts display:
- Banner ads on your website
- Pop-up advertisements
- Redirect pages before site loads
- Watermarks on free subdomains
Ad-free hosts like AwardSpace and 000webhost avoid this issue.
How We Test Free Hosting Services
Our evaluation methodology examines multiple factors:
Resource Allocation Testing
We verify advertised limits:
- Actual storage space available
- Real bandwidth calculations
- Daily hit limits and enforcement
- Database size restrictions
- Email account functionality
Uptime Monitoring
We track server reliability:
- Uptime percentage over 30 days
- Downtime frequency and duration
- Server response times
- Speed during peak hours
- Consistency across time zones
Feature Evaluation
We test all included tools:
- Control panel functionality
- One-click installer effectiveness
- SSL certificate activation
- Custom domain connection
- Email account creation
Performance Benchmarking
We measure loading speeds:
- Page load times (unoptimized and optimized)
- Server response times (TTFB)
- Database query performance
- Concurrent user handling
- Geographic speed variations
Terms of Service Review
We examine hosting policies:
- Account suspension triggers
- Resource usage limits
- Acceptable use policies
- Data ownership rights
- Migration and export options
Types of Free Hosting Explained
Traditional Free Hosting
Services like InfinityFree, 000webhost, AwardSpace:
- Support PHP, MySQL databases
- Include cPanel or similar control panels
- Allow WordPress and CMS installation
- Suitable for dynamic websites
- May display ads or have restrictions
Static Site Hosting
Platforms like GitHub Pages, Netlify, Vercel:
- Host only HTML/CSS/JavaScript
- No backend processing or databases
- Excellent performance and reliability
- Free SSL and custom domains
- Perfect for portfolios and documentation
Website Builder Hosting
Google Sites, Wix, Weebly (covered in separate article):
- All-in-one platforms with built-in hosting
- No technical knowledge required
- Limited to platform’s capabilities
- Usually require subdomains on free tier
When to Use Free vs. Paid Hosting
Free Hosting Works For:
- Learning and experimentation with web development
- Testing projects before production deployment
- Personal hobby sites with low traffic
- Static portfolios and documentation
- Temporary event pages or landing pages
- Development environments and staging sites
Upgrade to Paid Hosting For:
- Business websites requiring reliability
- Ecommerce sites handling payments
- High-traffic sites exceeding free limits
- Database-heavy applications
- Sites needing guaranteed uptime (99.9%+)
- Professional email requirements
- Better security and support
Maximizing Free Hosting Performance
Optimize Your Site
- Compress images before uploading (use TinyPNG, WebP format)
- Minimize HTTP requests with combined CSS/JS files
- Enable caching if available in control panel
- Use CDN for static assets (Cloudflare free tier)
- Optimize database queries and indexes
Monitor Resource Usage
- Track bandwidth consumption regularly
- Monitor storage to avoid exceeding limits
- Check error logs for issues
- Set up uptime monitoring (UptimeRobot free)
- Backup content manually and regularly
Plan for Growth
- Choose hosts with easy upgrades to paid plans
- Document your setup for potential migration
- Keep DNS separate from hosting when possible
- Build email list to maintain audience if migrating
- Test backup restoration before relying on free hosting
Frequently Asked Questions
Is free web hosting really free?
Yes, many hosting providers offer genuinely free plans with no credit card required. However, free hosting comes with significant limitations including storage caps (250MB-5GB), bandwidth limits, potential ads, reduced performance, and minimal support. Providers subsidize free hosting through paid plan upgrades and premium features.
What’s the catch with free hosting?
Free hosting typically includes limited storage (250MB-5GB), bandwidth caps (3-100GB/month), slower speeds, potential downtime, minimal security features, and restricted support. Some hosts display ads, enforce daily hit limits (50,000/day), or require account activity to avoid suspension. These tradeoffs make free hosting suitable only for low-traffic, non-critical sites.
Can I host a WordPress site for free?
Yes, several free hosts support WordPress including InfinityFree (5GB storage), 000webhost (300MB), and Freehostia (250MB). These provide one-click WordPress installers, PHP/MySQL databases, and basic functionality. However, limited storage, bandwidth, and performance make free hosting suitable only for small WordPress blogs or testing environments.
Do free hosting sites get good SEO?
Free hosting can negatively impact SEO due to slower loading speeds, potential downtime, lack of free SSL certificates (though many now include it), and shared IP addresses with spammy sites. While Google doesn’t directly penalize free hosting, performance issues indirectly hurt rankings. Serious SEO efforts require reliable paid hosting.
How much traffic can free hosting handle?
Free hosting typically handles 100-1,000 daily visitors depending on the service. InfinityFree and Byet.host limit sites to 50,000 hits/day (about 1,500-2,000 visitors). 000webhost’s 3GB monthly bandwidth supports roughly 500-1,000 monthly visitors. Sites exceeding these limits face suspension or forced upgrades.
Can I connect my own domain to free hosting?
Some free hosts allow custom domain connections (InfinityFree, AwardSpace, GitHub Pages, Google Sites) while others require free subdomains (000webhost free tier). You still need to purchase the domain separately ($10-15/year). Check each host’s policies as some require paid plans for custom domains.
Will my site be deleted on free hosting?
Free hosts may suspend or delete accounts for terms of service violations, prolonged inactivity (30-90 days), excessive resource usage, or hosting prohibited content. Always maintain local backups of your site and be aware of activity requirements. Inactive accounts are the most common reason for free hosting deletions.
What’s better: free hosting or free website builders?
Free website builders (Wix, Weebly) are easier for beginners with drag-and-drop interfaces but lock you into their platforms. Free hosting (InfinityFree, 000webhost) requires more technical knowledge but offers more control, WordPress support, and easier migration. Choose builders for simplicity, hosting for flexibility and ownership.