Free Website Hosting
Free Website Hosting: Legit Options and Their Real Limits
Genuinely free ways to host a website — static hosting platforms and free builder plans — what each allows, and when you'll need to upgrade.
Free hosting is real — but "free" always comes with limits: subdomains, ads, usage caps or static-only sites. Here are reputable free options and who they suit.
Our picks at a glance
No paid rankings · prices not shown (they change often)
- 1GitHub PagesBest for portfolios & docs
- 2Cloudflare Pages & WorkersBest free static + edge
- 3NetlifyBest free Jamstack platform
- 4VercelBest for personal Next.js projects
- 5WordPress.comBest free blog (with ads)
- 6WixBest free drag-and-drop builder
Two kinds of free hosting
- Developer platforms (GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, Vercel) — free hosting for static or framework sites you build yourself. Custom domains and HTTPS usually included.
- Free builder plans (WordPress.com, Wix) — no code needed, but your site lives on their subdomain and may show their branding or ads.
Our free hosting picks
GitHub Pages
Best for portfolios & docsDetails pending editor verificationFree static-site hosting straight from a GitHub repository.
What we like
- Free for public repositories
- Custom domain and HTTPS support
- Great for docs, portfolios and simple sites
Watch out for
- Static sites only — no server-side code
- Not intended for commercial/e-commerce sites
Cloudflare Pages & Workers
Best free static + edgeDetails pending editor verificationStatic and full-stack hosting on Cloudflare's global network.
What we like
- Generous free tier for static sites
- Workers for serverless logic at the edge
- Fits naturally with Cloudflare DNS and CDN
Watch out for
- Edge runtime differs from a normal Node.js server
- Learning curve for Workers
Free option: free plan
Check current pricing for Cloudflare Pages & Workers (opens in new tab)Official websiteNetlify
Best free Jamstack platformDetails pending editor verificationGit-based hosting for static and Jamstack sites with serverless functions and forms.
What we like
- Deploy previews and instant rollbacks
- Built-in forms and functions
- Free tier for small projects
Watch out for
- Usage limits on the free tier
- Long-running servers are not its focus
Vercel
Best for personal Next.js projectsDetails pending editor verificationFrontend and Next.js hosting from the creators of Next.js, with Git-based deploys.
What we like
- Preview deployment for every Git push
- Global edge network and serverless functions
- Hobby tier for personal projects
Watch out for
- Hobby tier is for personal, non-commercial use
- Usage-based costs can grow with traffic
WordPress.com
Best free blog (with ads)Details pending editor verificationHosted WordPress by Automattic — from a free blog to managed business plans.
What we like
- Free plan to start (on a wordpress.com subdomain)
- Hosting, security and updates handled for you
- Paid plans unlock plugins and themes
Watch out for
- Free plan shows ads and uses a subdomain
- Plugins require higher-tier plans
Wix
Best free drag-and-drop builderDetails pending editor verificationAll-in-one hosted builder with AI site generation, templates, apps and ecommerce.
What we like
- AI site generator and drag-and-drop editor
- Large template and app market
- Hosting, SSL and security included
Watch out for
- Hard to migrate away later
- Free plan shows Wix branding
Avoid these "free hosting" traps
- Unknown hosts that inject ads or have no SSL
- Free plans that forbid commercial use when you're running a business
- No way to export your content later
When your site starts earning, move to affordable paid hosting and your own domain.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own domain on free hosting?
Developer platforms like GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify and Vercel support custom domains with free HTTPS. Free builder plans usually require a paid upgrade for a custom domain.
Is free hosting bad for SEO?
Not inherently. Speed, content quality and a custom domain matter more. Static hosting on a global CDN can be very fast.
Editors & researchers
Our editorial team researches, tests and fact-checks every guide. Articles are reviewed against our editorial policy before publishing and re-reviewed on a schedule.
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