6 Best Free Web Hosting
The Best Web Hosting, That's Actually Free
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Free Web Hosting is not the most glamorous topic but we’ll try our best to make it somewhat interesting.
Starting by completely going against that statement, let’s talk being responsible about Web Hosting.
Although free website hosting services are available, they often come with limitations. These limitations may include inadequate customer support, limited storage, bandwidth, and no free domain name. These limitations mean that the more pages, elements, and media you add to your website, the more difficult it will be for your visitors to access it quickly and consistently. While free web hosting can be suitable for personal blogs, developer testing, side projects, and startup sites, beginner users and business websites may find that low-cost paid plans are more reliable and user-friendly. However, if you’re not quite ready to commit to a paid plan or if you simply want to experiment with managing a website, a free plan can be a cost-effective way to get started.
Keep in mind that there are also drawbacks to free website hosting services. It’s important to be aware of these drawbacks before choosing a free web hosting service.
Read our guide below to learn how to choose website hosting.
How did we choose?
Whenever we make recommendations you can be sure that we’ve done our research.
There’s a reason why we don’t list the best 25 or 50 tools; there are never that many that align with our goals and we don’t want to waste your time with too many options. So, we only list the ones we really really like.
So, how did we choose the free web hosting:
- Non of the providers will ask you for credit card info
- All the providers have the Free Plan available forever
- All the providers have generous features in their Free Plans
- All the providers have fairly priced plans for when your business grows
Let’s see what your options are.
Service
Bandwith
Uptime
Storage
Support
3GB
99.9%
300MB
No
Unlimited
99.9%
5GB
No
5GB
99.9%
1GB
24/7
500MB
99.98%
500MB
Yes
Unlimited
99.9%
Unlimited
24/7
Unlimited
99.9%
Unlimited
No
Bandwidth
3GB
Unlimited
5GB
500MB
Unlimited
Unlimited
Uptime
99.9%
99.9%
99.9%
99.98%
99.9%
99.9%
Storage
300MB
5GB
1GB
500MB
Unlimited
Unlimited
Support
No
No
24/7
Yes
24/7
No
Choosing a good Web Host is one of the most important things you can do for your online business.
Noone will wait around for your website to load!
000WebHost is our #1 Favorite!
Why is it our favorite?
Because when you outgrow your free plan (which you’ll inevitably because you’re just that awesome) you have affordable options by a large reliable player in the hosting market, Hostinger.
000WebHost is a brilliant free hosting solution offered by Hostinger. Boasting a diverse array of impressive features, 000WebHost is a good option for those with simple websites and looking for top notch uptime guarantee, 99.9% to be exact.
With 000WebHost, you’ll get access to a range of features, including a control panel, access to WordPress for website building, and advanced web hosting capabilities such as Cloudflare-protected name servers, PHP, MySQL, and FTP. Additionally, 000WebHost provides up to 3GB of bandwidth delivered via its 24GB SSD servers – ensuring that your website stays up and running smoothly, no matter what.
One of the best things about 000WebHost is its free plan, which doesn’t require a credit card to sign up and can be used for as long as you like. And if you find that you need more features or resources down the line, upgrading to a cheap plan from Hostinger is quick, easy and budget friendly.
But it’s not just the pricing that sets 000WebHost apart – the company takes web security seriously, regularly monitoring the sites it hosts for malware and other potential threats using the top-tier security software Imunify360.
All in all, 000WebHost is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for reliable and budget-friendly hosting.
Why We Liked it:
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Decent speeds
- Firewall tools
Main Limitations:
- 3GB bandwidth
InfinityFree is a remarkable free web hosting service that guarantees a 99.9% uptime to its users. This hosting platform provides you with a wide range of features, including an auto-installer with over 400 apps, such as WordPress, free subdomains, 5 GB disk space, unlimited bandwidth, and 400 MySQL databases. Additionally, you can get support through the knowledge base support team. With Softaculous Script Installer at your disposal, you can easily set up your WordPress site. While InfinityFree does not offer domain registration, you can use a domain from another registrar.
Your published website will be ad-free for visitors, but you may encounter ads in the cPanel on the back end. You should also note that InfinityFree imposes a daily limit of 50,000 hits. Hits occur when a browser tries to request a file from your account, which puts a limit on you web traffic.
InfinityFree is powered by iFastNet, which offers premium hosting plans.
Why We Liked it:
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- unlimited bandwidth
Main Limitations:
- 50.000 hits per day
Need More Free Tools?
Social Media Management Tools
Email Marketing Software
Screen Recording Tools
AwardSpace is a hosting provider that offers a range of hosting services. The company is most recognized for its free plan, which features:
- One website
- Three subdomains
- 1 GB disk space
- 5 GB bandwidth
- MySQL database
- 24/7 live chat support
AwardSpace also provides one-click installation of content management systems (CMS) and the Zacky website builder to load WordPress, Joomla and Grav platforms. Additionally, free plan users have access to 24/7 live chat support if they need assistance.
When your website is up and running, it will be free of ads, and you have the option to add ads to generate revenue. The company also offers bandwidth monitoring, which can be useful for managing your resources efficiently.
Why We Liked it:
- 24/7 live chat support
- Built-in virus, SPAM and firewall protection
Main Limitations:
- 5GB bandwidth
When you create your webite with Wix it is also your hosting provider. Unlike other web hosts you don’t need a wordpress website or other web platform. You simply create and host your website with Wix.
They offer a free plan that comes with great site-building features and enterprise-grade reliability. With the free plan, you’ll receive:
- A Wix.com subdomain
- Stunning templates
- 500 MB of disk space
- 500 MB of bandwidth
- A global content delivery network
- Free SSL and security monitoring
- Knowledge base and customer support
- Fast load times
However, Wix does display their own ads on free plan sites. You can only use a Wix subdomain, and if you want a custom domain, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. The free plan does not include eCommerce functionality, but you can still create bookings, events, and forums. You can also optimize your website with SEO-friendly content using Wix’s easy-to-use tools.
If you are looking for a all-in-one solution and not just a hosting service Wix is a beautiful solution.
Why We Liked it:
- All-in-one solution
- Free SSL and security monitoring
- Customer Support
Main Limitations:
- 500MB bandwidth
- Only availale with Wix sites
Need More Free Tools?
Like Wix, Squarespace is not just a hosting service but a all-in-one solution. When you sign up you create your website with Squarespace and your hosting service is a part of the process.
So, if you already have a website on wordpress or other platform, this is not the solution for you.
With unlimited storage, you can be sure that your website will have enough space to store all your files and data. Plus, their web hosting is cloud-based, which provides added reliability and scalability to your website.
Should you encounter any issues or have any questions, Squarespace also provides 24/7 customer support to ensure that you have access to the help you need when you need it.
Squarespace’s hosting services are reliable and you can be sure your website will be secure and always available to your visitors.
Why We Liked it:
- All-in-one solution
- Free SSL and security monitoring
- 24/7 Customer Support
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Unlimited bandwidth
Main Limitations:
- Only availale with Squarespace sites
x10Hosting is a great Free Website Hosting Solution, similar to Wix and Squarespace where you can build your website with x10Hosting or host your already made WordPress website.
Notable features are the wide range of ready-made templates with the website builder. Along with, free website hosting and e-commerce store solutions with no advertisements and abundant storage and bandwidth.
x10Hosting, the free version of x10Premium, is among the few providers that offer ad-free websites with limitless storage and bandwidth without any cost. It allows for easy one-click installs for more than 300 web scripts, including popular website platforms like WordPress, Joomla, MyBB, add-on galleries, blogs, forums, gaming tools, and more.
x10Hosting enables the use of custom domains, but it does not provide a free domain. It does allow you to utilize its free x10 subdomain or connect a domain that you already own. The free web hosting service also allows you to add a free email address utilizing your connected domain or free subdomain.
x10Hosting pleasantly suprised us as we had not used this host prior to our research. The only catch for us was the unresponsive customer support.
What if you’re site is down and you can’t fix it?
We love being able to F* up our website and get immediate help from support.
Why We Liked it:
- All-in-one solution
- Free SSL and security monitoring
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Unlimited storage
- Three Emails
Main Limitations:
- Unresponsive Customer Support
Need More Free Resources?
Online Communities for Women Entrepreneurs
Free Project Management Software
Invoicing Software
What is Free Web Hosting?
Website hosting is what makes your website available on the internet. A web hosting provider stores all your website’s content and files on their servers, taking care of data security, privacy, and upgrades to ensure your website stays accessible to the public.
You have two options when it comes to web hosting:
- Free or Paid
Free website hosting offers basic or limited features at no cost, while paid hosting plans provide a range of hosting features based on the plan you choose.
Is Free Hosting really Free?
In brief, the answer is yes, you can host your website for free if you’re content with basic features and don’t mind a bit of inconvenience. However, whether or not it’s really “free” depends on the kind of website you’re building and what’s included in the hosting plan.
It’s worth noting that free web hosting usually comes with limited resources, bandwidth and customization options, which can prevent your site from looking the way you want it to. Additionally, there may be a cap on the amount of content and storage your host can accommodate, which means that your free website may be restricted in terms of the number of pages, plugins, widgets, and add-ons it can include.
Moreover, most free web hosting plans do not come with essential add-ons such as domain names, which are necessary for online accessibility. While paid hosting plans often include one or two free domain names, free hosting plans rarely do. Additionally, some free hosting providers have limited bandwidth, which can significantly slow down your website’s loading times if you include media such as videos, songs, or lots of pictures.
Lastly, it’s important to read the fine print of any free website hosting offer before committing. Some providers offer “free” hosting that is actually a trial period of a paid plan, which is charged automatically once the trial period expires. Others may add unwanted advertisements to your website or include their own branding on your website, such as in the domain name or at the bottom of pages.
For Free Website Hosting beware of:
- Free Trials promoted as Free Hosting
- Caps on amount of Content and Storage
- Limits on Add-ons and plugins
- Bandwidth under 2GB
- Lack of Customer Support
How to choose Free Hosting?
Selecting the ideal free web hosting service requires careful consideration of your specific requirements.
Those who are new to website building may prioritize ease of use, customer service, and website builder tools.
Conversely, seasoned website owners may place a higher value on factors such as storage, bandwidth, and supported platforms and scripts.
In addition to these factors, uptime guarantees, ad-free websites, and complimentary features such as domain names, email addresses, and SSL certificates are essential considerations for any user interested in free hosting. Nonetheless, after studying the features of various free plans, you may conclude that free web hosting is not suitable for what you need.
So, what do you need to consider when choosing free hosting?
Bandwidth & Storage space
Storage space, or disk space, determines how many files you can upload for your website, and subsequently how much content and customization you can have. Bandwidth pertains to the total amount of data transferred between locations within a specific period and can significantly impact your website’s loading speed. The larger and more complex your site – particularly if you have numerous media files – the greater the need for disk space and bandwidth.
- This is important to avoid having users give up and leave your site because it’s too slow.
Uptime
Website’s uptime is crucial for creating a good user experience and for your website’s long-term success. Uptime refers to the time your website is live and acceessible to users. It is essential for any web host to promptly address server crashes and offer solutions to improve loading speed.
- Aim for host services that guarantee 99% uptime. That should guarantee you an average of less than 6 minutes downtime per year.
User-Friendliness & Customer Support
An exceptional web host should be user-friendly and accessible to a diverse range of customers. While some users may be proficient in designing websites from scratch, others may lack technical knowledge and rely heavily on the web host for assistance. Regardless, the experience – from plan purchase to file uploading to cPanel navigation – should be streamlined to ensure a positive user experience. Additionally, responsive, supportive, and reliable customer service is a must-have in the event of any issues.
- Consider your own technical capabilites and what you’ll need if your site it down.
Website Builder
Hosting providers often offer built-in website builder tools, such as drag-and-drop features and pre-designed templates, to help you launch your website with ease. However, some features may be locked depending on your plan’s level, so ensure your plan provides access to the tools you require.
- If you are looking for an all-in-one solution take a look at Wix, Squarespace and x10Host.
Security
A reliable web host will have a robust security system to safeguard your site’s data and credentials from online threats. The best plans offer security features such as SSL certificates, malware scans, and firewalls to encrypt your data, identify and remove threats, and protect your data.
- Consider that having a secure site affect user experience and SEO performance.
Maintenance & Updates
Good web hosts must ensure that their services stay up-to-date with the latest security, software, and customer requirements. Whether it means fixing bugs or enhancing cPanel accessibility, choose web hosts that take an active role in improving their services and products.
- Important for your websites’s future and long-term success.
Domain & Email
A hosting plan that includes domain names and email addresses eliminates the need for intermediaries for these essential features. While some users may not mind purchasing a separate email client or finding a domain name provider, having them included in your hosting plan is convenient.
- In most cases custom domain name and emails come with hosting providers paid plans.
Add-On
It is common for a web host to not offer everything you need, but it should provide a way for you to access it. A dependable web host will easily integrate other add-ons, plug-ins, and features for your website. They should also be able to host common website platforms such as WordPress or Shopify.
- Evaluate what you need your website to do and make sure your hosting service provides that.
Although there are plenty of Website Hosting services out there we didn’t include all of them because they didn’t align with our objectives of ease of use, affordability, and suitability for Growing an Online Business. Some of those examples include:
Google Cloud Hosting – Not technically free but does offer 1year free Hosting.
Byethost – didn’t pass our ease of use test and is better for techy people and developers comfortable with server-level file management and file transfer protocol (FTP) interfaces.
Firebase – a popular framework used by professional developers and companies to build high-quality applications.
FreeWebHostingArea – your site can be deleted due to inactivity if you drop below 1 visitor per month. Which seems pretty unreliable to us.
We wanted to bring you easy to use, affordable option that are good to start and grow your company. That’s why we selected these website hosts.
We’d love to hear your opinion.
Did we miss anything?
Tell us what Web Host you recommend in the comments.
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