Free website hosting: what you actually get in 2026

You can host a real website for $0. The catch is always the same three things: the address, the limits, and the ads. Here are six honest options.

Sign up free: 3 template sites on a we.inc address. AI building from $20/mo.

The short answer

Free website hosting is real, but the site lives on the host's address (like yourname.we.inc or a github.io link), has usage limits, and sometimes shows ads. For a finished site without code, use a builder's free plan. For code you wrote, GitHub Pages or Netlify host it free.

We.Inc's free plan hosts up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, with SSL. It has no AI and no custom domain; those start with paid plans at $20 a month.

Free hosting options side by side

We.IncGitHub PagesNetlifyGoogle SitesWordPress.comCarrd
Needs code?No, templatesYesYes (or a static site)NoNoNo
Free addresswe.inc addressgithub.ionetlify.appsites.google.comwordpress.comcarrd.co
Own domain free?No, paid plansYesYes, with SSLYes, after verificationNo, paid plansNo, Pro plans
AdsNo adsNoNoNoWordPress.com adsCarrd branding
Key limit3 template sites, no AI1 GB site, 100 GB/mo soft bandwidth, no commercial sites300 credits a monthFew design options1 GB storageOne page per site

Checked on each provider's own page on September 24, 2026. Free plans change often; confirm before you rely on one.

Pros and cons

We.Inc

Best for: People who want a finished-looking site hosted free, with AI building when they are ready to pay

Price: Free plan: up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, no AI. AI building from $20/mo (Starter, 250 credits). Pro $50/mo, Max $99/mo.

Pros: Describe what you want in chat and AI builds a full, editable site or app; Edit by clicking on the page, by asking in chat, or in a real code editor; Export the React and TypeScript code to GitHub, so you are never locked in; Unlimited sites on paid plans, custom domains from Starter

Cons: The free plan is templates only; AI building needs a paid plan; Newer platform with a smaller app marketplace than the big names; Store features are simpler than a dedicated ecommerce platform

GitHub Pages

Best for: Developers hosting a personal or project site

Price: Free

Pros: Custom domains; No ads; Fast

Cons: You write the code; GitHub says it is not for running an online business or ecommerce; 1 GB site limit

Netlify

Best for: Developers deploying static or modern web apps

Price: Free (300 credits); Personal $9/mo

Pros: Custom domains with SSL; Deploy previews; Functions and storage

Cons: Needs a code workflow; Usage beyond the free credits costs money

Google Sites

Best for: Simple internal or school sites

Price: Free

Pros: No ads; Custom domain possible

Cons: Basic design; No store or blog

WordPress.com

Best for: Blogs

Price: Free; paid from $4/mo annual

Pros: Great for writing; No expiry on free

Cons: Ads on free; No custom domain on free; 1 GB storage

Carrd

Best for: One-page sites

Price: Free; Pro from $9/year

Pros: Very cheap upgrade

Cons: Single page only

Is free website hosting safe?

From the providers here, yes: all serve sites over HTTPS and are run by established companies. The risk with unknown free hosts is ads injected into your pages, slow servers or sudden shutdowns. Stick to hosts with a clear free plan and a paid path you could move to.

Can I get free hosting with my own domain?

Sometimes. GitHub Pages, Netlify and Google Sites let you connect a domain you already own for free, but you still pay a registrar for the domain itself. No-code builders, including We.Inc, WordPress.com and Wix, keep custom domains on paid plans.

When should I pay for hosting?

Pay when the site represents a business: you want your own domain, no ads, a store, or more than a few pages. That is the point where a free subdomain costs you more in trust than the plan costs in money. On We.Inc, that is the $20 Starter plan, which adds AI building.

Start from a template

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free website hosting?

For a no-code site, a builder's free plan such as We.Inc (3 template sites) or WordPress.com (blogs). For code, GitHub Pages or Netlify. Pick based on whether you write code and whether you need your own domain.

Does We.Inc really host sites for free?

Yes. The free plan publishes up to 3 template sites on a we.inc address, with no card required. It does not include AI building or custom domains; those start at $20 a month.

Can I run an online store on free hosting?

Rarely well. GitHub's own documentation says GitHub Pages is not meant for ecommerce. Builders keep stores on paid plans. On We.Inc, stores use your own Stripe account on paid plans.

Is there free hosting with a free domain?

You get a free subdomain (like name.we.inc or name.github.io). A top-level domain like yourname.com costs money each year from a registrar, though some paid builder plans include one free for the first year.

Related reading

Sign up free and publish your first site today.

This page is part of our Website builder pricing hub: see all website builder pricing pages.

We.Inc is an AI-powered website builder you can resell under your own brand. Launch a branded client dashboard, bill on Stripe Connect, and deliver AI-generated websites in minutes. White-label plans start at $99 a month for 25 client sites, with a 7-day free trial and no per-site fees.

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