Free web hosting: 10 points to check before choosing

1. How is the free offer funded?

No provider runs servers without costs. Three models are typical: advertising that appears on your website; a permanently free entry level where larger plans are paid; or a trial period after which the package becomes paid. So first check whether the offer is permanently free or only for a few weeks or the first year.

2. Advertising, banners and third-party links

Some free hosts display banners, pop-ups or links in the footer. That looks unprofessional to visitors and distracts them from your content. Look at a sample page from the provider and check the terms to see whether it may insert content into your website.

3. Storage, traffic and performance limits

A few gigabytes are enough for a simple website; photos and videos need significantly more. In addition to storage and traffic, watch for less visible limits: computing time, PHP memory, maximum upload file size or a maximum number of files. These values determine whether a WordPress blog with many images runs smoothly.

4. Address: subdomain or own domain

Free is usually a subdomain like yourname.provider.de. Your own ending like .de or .com costs annual fees. Where a “free domain” is promised, it is usually tied to a paid contract or only free for the first year. Also clarify whether you can later use your own domain with the same web space. Learn more on the Free Domain page.

5. Technology: PHP, database and HTTPS

For dynamic websites you need a current PHP version and a MySQL-compatible database. WordPress currently recommends PHP 8.3 or newer and MySQL 8.0 or MariaDB 10.6 or newer. HTTPS should be set up and renewed automatically. Without a valid certificate, browsers will warn your visitors.

6. Upload, management and backups

Check how your files get to the server: via a file manager in the browser, via FTP or SFTP or via an installer for applications like WordPress. Also important are backups that you can create and restore yourself, as well as cron jobs for recurring tasks.

7. Term, inactivity and cancellation

Some free offers deactivate websites that have not been visited or edited for a while, or require regular confirmation. Check the terms to see when an account can be deleted, and back up your website yourself regularly.

8. Privacy, location and provider

An imprint shows you who is behind the offer and how to reach them. For websites that process personal data, for example via a contact form, the provider's server location and privacy notices are important. If you use the hosting for business, check whether you need a data processing agreement with the provider.

9. Upgrade path and later costs

As your project grows, you need more storage or features. Compare what the next plan costs, whether it can be cancelled monthly and whether renewals become more expensive than the entry price. A good free plan can be expanded without moving: website and address stay, only the limits increase.

10. Help and documentation

Even on the free plan you should know how to get help if you have problems: via a contact form, by email or via documentation. Check whether the guides are available in a language you understand well.

The checklist to tick off

• Permanently free instead of trial period
• No advertising and no third-party links on your website
• Enough storage and traffic for images and visitors
• Current PHP, MySQL-compatible database and automatic HTTPS
• Free address and the option to later use your own domain
• Convenient upload and installer for WordPress
• Backups you can create and restore yourself
• Clear rules on inactivity and deletion
• Imprint, server location and privacy notices
• Fair prices for the next plan with no minimum term

How LXI Free performs on these points

You can find all details on the Free Web Hosting page. Domains from other providers cannot yet be connected; if you register your domain with LXI, you only pay for the domain.