It’s imperative that you consider a service provider’s strengths and weaknesses when searching for a web host. That’s especially important in the free web hosting realm, as even the best, free hosts have limited and underpowered plans compared to what’s on offer from basic, paid services. You can (and probably should) expect tight storage and monthly data transfer restrictions, limited tech support, and oftentimes limited e-commerce potential. Still, free web hosting has its benefits.
So long as you curb your expectations, you can find use for free web hosting. If you want to try your hand at web design, start a personal project, or troubleshoot new plug-ins or themes, free hosting’s limitations may not be much of an issue.
Fortunately, there are many companies that let you build a website without spending money. Some are from major hosting providers that want to whet your website-building appetite, and steer you toward their more robust, premium services. Others are from companies that have made a name for themselves because of their free hosting tiers.
Regardless of why you’re looking for free hosting, you should peruse our recommendations to narrow your search. Good luck with your project.
AwardSpace is an ad-free web host that delivers 5GB of monthly data transfers, 1GB of storage, and the ability to create three sites (one main domain and three subdomains). Included with a free account is the custom Zacky Installer, which offers one-click installation for the Grav, Joomla, or WordPress content management systems. In addition, AwardSpace lets you monetize your site with your own ads or sell products via affiliate marketing. The company rounds out the package with 24/7 customer support.
Freehostia has a free hosting service, the Chocolate Plan, that offers a scant 250MB of storage space. That said, the web host excels in other areas. By signing up for a no-cost Freehostia plan, you get 6GB of monthly data transfers and the ability to host five websites. If you need assistance, rest easy knowing that Freehostia offers 24/7 customer support and an extensive online knowledge base with video tutorials.
The ad-free InfinityFree offers a surprisingly robust package, with its unlimited storage, unlimited data transfers, and free SSL certificates for your domains and subdomains. It also includes the Softaculous Script Installer that features hundreds of applications, including the popular WordPress content management system. The web host may not offer tech support, it has a substantial knowledge base that answers core hosting questions.
Wix is an excellent, premium website builder that earned a PCMag Editors’ Choice award for its many robust features, but did you know it also offers a free hosting tier? If you choose its free plan, the web host supplies a skimpy 500MB of monthly data transfers, a paltry 500MB of cloud storage, security monitoring, and a free SSL certificate. Unfortunately, the free tier doesn’t let you sell products, and it features Wix-delivered ads.
Wix Website Builder Review
WordPress.com offers an ad-supported free tier that includes 3GB of storage, a pre-installed SSL certificate, and dozens of attractive, flexible themes. The company’s origin is rooted in blogging, so this free option leans more in that direction than in general website creation (though you cannot install plug-ins with this tier). Still, if you want to quickly build a site without putting in too much work on the backend, WordPress.com is the way to go.
WordPress.com Review
The ad-free 000WebHost is a free hosting option that’s powered by the excellent Hostinger. With 000WebHost, you set up a single domain that comes with 300MB of storage, 3GB of monthly data transfers, and the easy-to-use Zyro website builder. Unfortunately, 000WebHost doesn’t offer much else; it lacks live customer support, subdomains, and SSL certificates. If your site outgrows 000WebHost’s limitations, you can upgrade to Hostinger’s paid plans with relative ease.
More Low-Cost Web Hosting Services
https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-free-web-hosting-services-for-tight-budgets
