Best Free Website Hosting Services Compared 

Key highlights 

• Start with free website hosting to launch basic sites without upfront costs. 
• Compare free hosting service providers based on storage, bandwidth and custom domains. 
• Understand the limitations of free hosting, like forced branding and no custom domains. 
• Upgrade to a paid plan when your traffic grows or more features are needed. 
• Explore why Bluehost is a smart long-term hosting solution with customizable plans, reliable performance, built-in security and top-notch support. 

Introduction 

Thinking about launching a website without spending a dime? You’re not alone. Be it for a project, a hobby or a new business idea, free website hosting is often the first step online without breaking the bank.  

Free website hosting is a service that allows you to host your website online without any cost, typically with limitations on features like storage, bandwidth and customization. 

While free web hosting doesn’t offer all advanced features of premium services, it’s a great way to test ideas, build a personal site or explore website creation. From limited free hosting plans to surprisingly generous offerings, there’s a wide range of options available. 

In this comparison, we’ll walk you through the best free web host services on the market today. You will learn diverse features, limitations and what to expect from each web hosting provider. This will help you choose the right solution for your needs—without the price tag!  

What are the top free website hosting sites?

From beginner-friendly builders to developer-focused platforms, there are plenty of free website hosting sites that offer solid value. Here’s a breakdown of the top options available:

Hosting provider	Storage space	Bandwidth	Custom domain	SSL certificate	Ease of use	Support
WordPress.com	50 GB	Unlimited	Paid only	Yes	High	Community
Wix	250 MB	250 MB	Paid only	Yes	Very High	Help center
Weebly	Unlimited	500 MB	Paid only	Yes	High	Help center
Google Cloud Hosting	30 GB (trial)	1 GB/month	Yes	Yes	Moderate	Docs & forums
Amazon Web Services	5 GB (Free Tier)	15 GB/month	Yes	Yes	Moderate	Docs & forums
InfinityFree	5 GB	Unlimited	No	Yes	Moderate	Forum
Jimdo	500 MB	2 GB	Paid only	Yes	High	Help center
Strikingly	500 MB	5 GB	Paid only	Yes	High	Help center
GoogieHost	MB SSG Storage	100GB	Supported	Yes	Moderate	Community forum
Freehostia	250 MB	6 GB	Paid only	Yes	Moderate	Email support

Each provider offers distinct benefits, whether you need a simple site or more features. These top free hosting services are a great starting point, but most come with limitations on custom domains and may require upgrades for more flexibility. 

1. WordPress.com 

WordPress.com is one of the most popular free website hosting platforms, perfect for bloggers and content creators who don’t need extensive customization. It’s reliable and easy to use, though somewhat limited on the free plan.

Features: 

• Publish content easily with a powerful built-in editor and extensive blogging tools 
• Customize your site with hundreds of themes and built-in Jetpack feature

Best for: Bloggers and content creators looking for easy site management

Specifications: 

• Storage: 50 GB
• Bandwidth: Unlimited
• Custom domain: Available with paid upgrade
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: High
• Support: Community forums

2. Wix 

Wix is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it great for users who want design flexibility without needing to code. Its free hosting plan is decent for portfolios or landing pages but comes with branding.

Features: 

• Design visually with a drag-and-drop editor tailored for creative freedom 
• Integrate advanced features like booking, eCommerce and animations  

Best for: Beginners and creative professionals who want design freedom without coding 

Specifications: 

• Storage: 250 MB
• Bandwidth: 250 MB
• Custom domain: Paid plan required
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: Very High
• Support: Help center and tutorials

3. Weebly 

A simple, drag-and-drop builder powered by Square, Weebly is ideal for small sites and beginners. It’s one of the more accessible free web hosting services, but customization is limited unless you upgrade.

Features: 

• Launch quickly using pre-built responsive templates for beginners 
• Sell online with built-in eCommerce tools and Square integration 

Best for: Small businesses and users wanting an easy-to-use platform with eCommerce features 

Specifications: 

• Storage: Unlimited
• Bandwidth: 500 MB
• Custom domain: Paid plan required
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: High
• Support: Help center

4. Google Cloud web hosting 

Google offers a generous free trial for developers through its Cloud Hosting platform. It’s perfect for tech-savvy users building custom applications or websites.

Features: 

• Scale resources automatically to handle high traffic and demand 
• Secure your site with Google’s advanced infrastructure and identity management 

Best for: Developers and tech-savvy users building custom applications or services

Specifications: 

• Storage: 30 GB (trial credit)
• Bandwidth: 1 GB/month
• Custom domain: Yes
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: Moderate (requires technical skills)
• Support: Documentation and forums

Note: Services require credit card verification and their free tier may automatically upgrade to paid usage after trial limits are exceeded. 

5. Amazon Web Services 

AWS Free Tier gives you access to world-class infrastructure for one year. It is great for developers and startups wanting full control over their environment.

Features: 

• Deploy enterprise-grade websites with robust performance and flexibility 
• Configure granular server settings with full root access and cloud scalability 

Best for: Developers, startups and businesses requiring scalable cloud infrastructure

Specifications: 

• Storage: 5 GB (S3), 30 GB EBS
• Bandwidth: 15 GB/month
• Custom domain: Yes
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: Moderate
• Support: Documentation and developer forums

Note: Services require credit card verification and their free tier may automatically upgrade to paid usage after trial limits are exceeded. 

6. InfinityFree 

InfinityFree lives up to its name, offering unlimited storage and bandwidth with no forced ads. It’s a solid free hosting choice for users who want more flexibility.

Features: 

• Host your website for free with unlimited bandwidth and no ads 
• Access free SSL and MySQL databases without spending a dime 

Best for: Users who want flexibility without ads and limitations on resources

Specifications: 

• Storage: 5 GB
• Bandwidth: Unlimited
• Custom domain: No (uses subdomain)
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: Moderate
• Support: Community forum

7. Jimdo 

Jimdo is a sleek free website builder for portfolios and small business sites. It’s very beginner-friendly but comes with tight limitations on the free plan.

Features: 

• Build websites in minutes using AI-powered setup for small businesses 
• Manage your online presence with built-in SEO and legal compliance tools 

Best for: Small businesses and personal websites looking for fast setup 

Specifications: 

• Storage: 500 MB
• Bandwidth: 2 GB
• Custom domain: Paid plan required
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: High
• Support: Help center

8. Strikingly 

Best suited for single-page websites, Strikingly’s free plan is a good pick for freelancers or simple personal pages.

Features: 

• Create sleek one-page websites ideal for portfolios or personal brands 
• Connect instantly with mobile-optimized templates and social media integration 

Best for: Freelancers and personal websites that need a simple, single-page design

Specifications: 

• Storage: 500 MB
• Bandwidth: 5 GB
• Custom domain: Paid plan required
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: High
• Support: Help center

9. GoogieHost 

GoogieHost is one of the few truly free hosting service options that includes features like cPanel and Cloudflare. It offers decent value for beginners or small-scale projects. 

Features: 

• Free cPanel-based dashboard and website builder 
• Free subdomain, Cloudflare CDN and malware protection 

Best for: Beginners testing websites or portfolios without spending upfront 

Specifications: 

• Storage: MB SSD storage 
• Bandwidth: 100 GB 
• Custom domain: Supported (via manual setup) 
• SSL certificate: Yes 
• Ease of use: Moderate  
• Support: Community forum & ticket-based support (no live chat) 

10. Freehostia 

Freehostia is a lesser-known free hosting provider that offers a clean, ad-free experience. However, the interface feels dated and limits are strict.

Features: 

• Benefit from free clustered hosting architecture for better uptime
• Upgrade seamlessly to paid plans with domain registration and premium support

Best for: Personal websites and users looking for ad-free hosting with basic support

Specifications: 

• Storage: 250 MB
• Bandwidth: 6 GB
• Custom domain: Paid plan required
• SSL Certificate: Yes
• Ease of Use: Moderate
• Support: Email support

How do we test & review free web hosting services? 

Choosing the right free web host can be tricky. With so many website hosting options out there, you must know what each one really offers beyond the marketing claims. That’s why we put the top free hosting providers to the test. Here are a few parameters to check: 

• Hands-on setup: We create real websites using each free hosting plan to evaluate the ease of use, dashboard experience and overall functionality.
• Performance checks: We monitor free web hosting services for uptime reliability and page speed (data cross-verified with UptimeRobot and GTMetrix tools) to ensure it can handle basic site traffic. 
• Features comparison: We assess the core offerings like storage, bandwidth, free domain support, free SSL certificates and free subdomains—against what users actually need.
• User restrictions: We note any ads, branding or limitations that come with free website hosting, helping users understand the trade-offs.
• Upgrade options: We evaluate how easily each free web provider allows users to scale up to a paid hosting plan and what added value they provide.

How to choose the best free web hosting providers? 

Not all free web hosting sites are the same. To find the right one for you, consider these key factors: 

• Ensure reliability and uptime: Look for a free web hosting service that offers stable uptime, so your site stays accessible. If uptime and security matter long term, you may also want to explore paid providers. Bluehost delivers guaranteed reliability and performance here. 
• Check storage and bandwidth: Ensure the disk space and bandwidth limits can support your content and any expected traffic. 
• Verify domain support: Choose providers that let you connect your own domain or offer a free SSL certificate for added trust. 
• Select a website builder: Opt for a free host with a user-friendly website builder, especially if you’re unfamiliar with coding. 
• Plan for an upgrade path: Look for a hosting provider that offers seamless upgrades when you need more than what a free service allows. 

Choosing to host a website free can be a smart starting point. However, for long-term growth, you’ll need more than the basics. This is where Bluehost can be your one-stop solution!

Also read: Cheap Web Hosting: How to Find the Best Affordable Hosting Provider

What are the pros and cons of choosing free web hosting services? 

Free website hosting is great for testing ideas or small personal sites but limits customization, storage and domain options. Before choosing a free web hosting service, it’s important to weigh both the benefits and the drawbacks. 

Pros of free web hosting services

• Zero cost: Access free website hosting with zero cost, allowing you to get online without spending anything. 
• Quick to set up: Set up your site quickly with simple sign-up processes and instant access to basic website tools. 
• No commitment: Test new ideas or practice web development without the need for a long-term commitment. 

Cons of free web hosting services

• Limited features: Expect restrictions on storage, bandwidth and customization—things a paid web hosting plan would include. 
• Forced branding: Prepare for forced branding, as many free hosting platforms place ads or watermarks on your site that you can’t remove. 
• No custom domain: Accept that you’ll likely be stuck with a subdomain unless you upgrade, limiting your site’s professionalism. 

When to upgrade from free website hosting to a paid plan?   

While free website hosting is a smart place to begin, there comes a point when the limitations outweigh the benefits. Here are some clear signs you’re ready to upgrade:

• You need a custom domain: Most free hosting providers only offer a subdomain. If you’re ready to use a branded, professional domain, you’ll need to upgrade. Paid plans often include a free domain or offer affordable domain registration services, which can help strengthen your online identity.
• Your traffic is growing: Free hosting services usually come with limited bandwidth and server resources. As your website attracts more visitors, slow load times, downtime and performance issues become common. A reliable web hosting plan ensures faster speeds, better uptime and room to grow.
• You need advanced features: Paid hosting plans often come with features that are essential for business growth—like business email, SSL certificates, eCommerce support and a user-friendly website builder. These features are typically missing or extremely limited on free platforms.
• You want full control: With free hosting, customization is restricted. Paid hosting gives you full access to your backend, letting you install plugins, manage databases, create backups and more. Whether you’re a beginner or a developer, this flexibility is key to scaling your site.
• You want to build a professional brand: If you’re serious about branding, credibility matters. A custom domain, faster website and premium tools show customers you’re invested in your online presence. Free hosting package with ads on your site, limited design options and lack of support can hurt your brand image.
• You need responsive customer support: Technical issues can occur anytime. Free hosting usually lacks timely or responsive support. Paid and premium hosting plans often include 24/7 customer support via chat, phone or ticket—giving you peace of mind when things go wrong.
• You’re worried about security and backups: Is free hosting safe? Not always. Security features like malware protection, regular backups and SSL are often locked behind paid plans. Upgrading ensures your website, data and users are protected.

Ready to upgrade? Here’s why Bluehost is worth it

If you’re ready to move past the limits of free web hosting services, Bluehost offers a seamless upgrade path with powerful features designed for long-term growth. If you’re switching from one of the many free web hosting sites or starting fresh with a professional brand, we make it easy to scale.

Here’s what you get when you upgrade to Bluehost:

• Free domain for the first year: Build your brand with a clean, custom URL.
• Reliable performance: Enjoy top-tier speed, uptime and resources beyond what any free website hosting option can provide.
• Easy WordPress integration: Launch a site fast with our one-click WordPress installer.
• 24/7 expert support: Get real human help anytime, unlike many free hosting plan providers.
• Scalable hosting options: From shared hosting to VPS, we’ve got a plan to fit every stage of your website’s journey.
• Email marketing feature: For built-in email marketing, backup recovery and AI design tools, Bluehost includes Creative Mail, CodeGuard and WonderSuite in select plans—making it easy to scale professionally. 

Also read: VPS vs. Shared Hosting: Which Option Is Best for You? 

With Bluehost, you don’t just host a website—you build a platform for long-term success. Explore our diverse hosting plans and start your website journey with us!

Final thoughts 

Starting with a free website and a free hosting plan is a smart move.  It’s a great way to explore new ideas, build a portfolio or launch a small project. With many free web hosting providers, you can host a website free and get just enough features to begin your journey online. 

As your needs evolve, such as managing more web pages or aiming for unlimited bandwidth, a paid hosting plan becomes the next logical step. And if you’re looking for an easy upgrade, Bluehost is your all-in-one solution. We can offer you a user-friendly website builder and dedicated support to make all the difference. 

Ready to take your website to the next level? Unlock greater flexibility, claim your free domain and build your website on Bluehost. Your future success starts here!

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