Free web hosting is fine for a hobby site, a portfolio, a test project or a static landing page, as long as you know the limits on storage, bandwidth and support. For a business site that takes orders, free hosting is a starting point, not a home. This page lists ten free hosts in no particular order, then explains which kind fits which job.
Free hosting comes in two flavours that people often mix up. Free PHP hosts give you a small slice of a shared server with a control panel, so you can run WordPress or a simple script. Static site platforms host plain files very quickly but don't run a database.
Below are ten free hosts in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, covering both types. Each description comes from the host's own website, re-checked today. If you're building your first blog, my guide on building a loyal following for a business blog covers the part hosting can't fix.
Support is the other big difference. Free plans usually lean on community forums and help articles rather than a support desk, so you'll want to be comfortable searching for answers yourself. That's fine for a learning project, and a good reason to keep anything important on a plan with real support.
Free web hosts at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the host's own site describes a free plan. Every host here offers one, though limits on storage, bandwidth and support vary.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| AeonFree | Free PHP hosting | Free cPanel-style hosting | Yes |
| AwardSpace | Free and shared hosting | A long-running free host | Yes |
| ByetHost | Free PHP hosting | Free hosting with one-click apps | Yes |
| Cloudflare Pages | Static site platform | Fast static sites and front ends | Yes |
| Freehostia | Free and shared hosting | Small ad-free test sites | Yes |
| GitHub Pages | Static site hosting | Project and portfolio sites | Yes |
| GoogieHost | Free hosting with domain | Free hosting and a subdomain | Yes |
| InfinityFree | Free PHP hosting | Free WordPress experiments | Yes |
| Neocities | Free static hosting | Personal and creative sites | Yes |
| x10Hosting | Free web hosting | Free hosting with community help | Yes |
Ten free web hosts worth knowing
AeonFree
Best for: Hobbyists who want free hosting with PHP, MySQL and free security certificates, with no forced ads on the site.
AwardSpace
Best for: Beginners who want free hosting from a provider that's offered it for many years, with bigger tiers to grow into.
ByetHost
Best for: Hobby sites that want free PHP and MySQL hosting with one-click app installs and no ads.
Cloudflare Pages
Best for: Developers who want to deploy static sites and front-end projects from a Git repository.
Freehostia
Best for: People who want a small ad-free hosting account to test ideas before upgrading.
GitHub Pages
Best for: Developers who want a free site for a project, documentation or portfolio straight from a repository.
GoogieHost
Best for: Beginners who want free hosting with a control panel and free subdomain options.
InfinityFree
Best for: Learners who want to try WordPress or PHP projects on free hosting with no expiry date.
Neocities
Best for: Creative people who want a free personal website built from their own HTML and CSS.
x10Hosting
Best for: Beginners who want free hosting backed by a community forum for questions.
The limits written into free static hosting
Free static hosts are generous, but they do have rules. GitHub's own documentation says published GitHub Pages sites may be no larger than 1 GB, have a soft bandwidth limit of 100 GB per month and a soft limit of 10 builds per hour. It also says Pages isn't intended as a free host for an online business, an ecommerce site or software sold as a service.
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Most free hosts have rules like these somewhere in their terms. Read them before you build, so a successful launch doesn't get your site paused.
Which free host suits which job
- Learning WordPress: a free PHP host with MySQL and a control panel.
- A portfolio or project page: a static site platform.
- A personal or creative site: a simple static host where you edit the files.
- A business that takes orders: start free if you must, then move to a hosting plan with support.
- Testing a design: any free host, as long as you don't need email.
Setting up a free site safely
- Use a strong, unique password for the hosting account.
- Install only the apps and plugins you need.
- Keep your own copy of the site's files and database.
- Add a free security certificate if the host offers one.
- Plan where you'll move when the site outgrows the free limits.
Free hosting mistakes to avoid
- No backups. Free plans rarely include restores.
- Running a shop. Free terms often forbid it.
- Ignoring inactivity rules. Some free accounts pause if unused.
- Building on a free subdomain forever. A custom domain is easier to move later.
If you plan to grow beyond a simple site, my guide to bespoke website development explains when a custom build makes sense.
Do you make free web hosting? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free web hosting
Free hosting is a brilliant way to learn and test ideas without risk. I'd use it for a first site, a project or a portfolio without a second thought.
But the moment a site brings in customers, move it somewhere with support and backups you can rely on. Saving a little on hosting isn't worth a week of downtime.
Frequently asked questions
Is free web hosting safe?
It can be for hobby and test sites. Use strong passwords, keep your own backups and avoid storing sensitive customer data.
Can I run WordPress on free hosting?
Yes, on free hosts that offer PHP and MySQL. Static site platforms don't run WordPress.
What are the limits on free static hosting?
They vary. GitHub's documentation, for example, sets a 1 GB site size and a soft 100 GB monthly bandwidth limit.
Can I use my own domain on free hosting?
Many free hosts allow a custom domain, though some only offer their own subdomains.
Do free hosts put ads on my site?
Several hosts here say they don't add forced ads, but always check the terms.
When should I move off free hosting?
When the site earns money, needs email, or regularly hits the free plan's limits.
What is the difference between free PHP hosting and static hosting?
PHP hosting runs scripts and databases like WordPress. Static hosting serves plain files and doesn't run a database.
Can free hosting handle a lot of visitors?
Some static platforms cope well, but free PHP hosts often limit resources, so busy sites can slow down or pause.
