Free web hosting can fit a blog or static site, but application type and commercial-use rules matter. A static publishing service is not a WordPress server. A personal hobby tier may not permit business hosting; compare the conditions before deploying.
| Tool | Free plan or open source | Main free-plan limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | An ongoing free website on a WordPress.com subdomain. | A custom domain and expanded storage need a paid plan. | Simple blogs and information sites. |
| Cloudflare Pages | Free deployment with a capped build and asset allowance, including custom domains. | Functions consume separate quotas; this is not a managed PHP WordPress server. | Developers running static information sites. |
| Netlify | Free hosting with custom domains and SSL within a monthly credit allowance. | Member and credit limits apply; avoid reusing obsolete bandwidth-only allowances. | Small source-built sites within the credit budget. |
| GitHub Pages | Available for public repositories on GitHub Free. | Not free hosting for operating an online business, ecommerce or primarily commercial transaction/SaaS site. | Documentation and permitted personal or project sites. |
| Vercel Hobby | Personal-project hosting within monthly allowances. | Explicitly restricted to non-commercial personal use; not a free business-hosting recommendation. | Personal projects, not commercial stores or business apps. |
Truly free options
1. WordPress.com
A hosted website and blogging service.
Strengths: Hosted blogging without server administration.
Limitations: A custom domain and expanded storage need a paid plan.
Pricing model: An ongoing free website on a WordPress.com subdomain. A custom domain and expanded storage need a paid plan.
Best for: Simple blogs and information sites.
What the free plan includes / main limit: An ongoing free website on a WordPress.com subdomain. A custom domain and expanded storage need a paid plan.
2. Cloudflare Pages
A static-site deployment service.
Strengths: Publishing source-built static sites.
Limitations: Functions consume separate quotas; this is not a managed PHP WordPress server.
Pricing model: Free deployment with a capped build and asset allowance, including custom domains. Functions consume separate quotas; this is not a managed PHP WordPress server.
Best for: Developers running static information sites.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free deployment with a capped build and asset allowance, including custom domains. Functions consume separate quotas; this is not a managed PHP WordPress server.
3. Netlify
A deployment and hosting platform.
Strengths: Static publishing and deployment workflows.
Limitations: Member and credit limits apply; avoid reusing obsolete bandwidth-only allowances.
Pricing model: Free hosting with custom domains and SSL within a monthly credit allowance. Member and credit limits apply; avoid reusing obsolete bandwidth-only allowances.
Best for: Small source-built sites within the credit budget.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Free hosting with custom domains and SSL within a monthly credit allowance. Member and credit limits apply; avoid reusing obsolete bandwidth-only allowances.
4. GitHub Pages
Static publishing from a repository.
Strengths: Source-controlled static publication.
Limitations: Not free hosting for operating an online business, ecommerce or primarily commercial transaction/SaaS site.
Pricing model: Available for public repositories on GitHub Free. Not free hosting for operating an online business, ecommerce or primarily commercial transaction/SaaS site.
Best for: Documentation and permitted personal or project sites.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Available for public repositories on GitHub Free. Not free hosting for operating an online business, ecommerce or primarily commercial transaction/SaaS site.
5. Vercel Hobby
A free developer deployment tier.
Strengths: A convenient personal deployment workflow.
Limitations: Explicitly restricted to non-commercial personal use; not a free business-hosting recommendation.
Pricing model: Personal-project hosting within monthly allowances. Explicitly restricted to non-commercial personal use; not a free business-hosting recommendation.
Cheap paid hosting when free isn’t enough
Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround, DreamHost and Kinsta are paid options, not free hosts. Compare renewal costs, support and migration; no specific trial or price is asserted.
Free WordPress hosting
WordPress.com offers an ongoing hosted free website with limits. Self-hosted WordPress is free software but needs a suitable server, security and backups. Do not promise that a static host runs PHP and a database.
Limits of free hosting tools
Static publishing differs from full application hosting. Build and resource allowances can restrict deployment. Vercel Hobby is non-commercial personal use only; GitHub Pages prohibits free hosting for operating online businesses and primarily transaction-focused commercial sites. Email, databases and support are separate needs. Keep your source and migration plan.
Choosing free web hosting
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
web hosting for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
pages.cloudflare.com — official source
pages.github.com — official source
wordpress.com — official source
www.netlify.com — official source
Best for: Personal projects, not commercial stores or business apps.
What the free plan includes / main limit: Personal-project hosting within monthly allowances. Explicitly restricted to non-commercial personal use; not a free business-hosting recommendation.
Cheap paid hosting when free isn’t enough
Hostinger, Bluehost, SiteGround, DreamHost and Kinsta are paid options, not free hosts. Compare renewal costs, support and migration; no specific trial or price is asserted.
Free WordPress hosting
WordPress.com offers an ongoing hosted free website with limits. Self-hosted WordPress is free software but needs a suitable server, security and backups. Do not promise that a static host runs PHP and a database.
Limits of free hosting tools
Static publishing differs from full application hosting. Build and resource allowances can restrict deployment. Vercel Hobby is non-commercial personal use only; GitHub Pages prohibits free hosting for operating online businesses and primarily transaction-focused commercial sites. Email, databases and support are separate needs. Keep your source and migration plan.
Choosing free web hosting
Check the plan that remains after any trial. Match required access, exports and support to how you work before importing live data.
Related reading
web hosting for small business
Methodology and disclosure
This comparison uses official product documentation and pricing pages. Recommendations describe editorial fit, not hands-on testing, benchmarks or aggregated user ratings. StackReporter may receive compensation through approved affiliate links; editorial references are separate from offer CTAs. We disclose applicable relationships in line with FTC guidance. Confirm current plans, limits and terms before buying.
Official plan and product checks
pages.cloudflare.com — official source
pages.github.com — official source