Looking for web hosting as a student? You’re in the right place. Finding somewhere to put your website online doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Even if you’re building a portfolio to show off your work, creating something for class, or just experimenting with your first site, there are plenty of student-friendly options out there.
This guide breaks down everything. You’ll learn about free hosting options that work great for student projects, plus affordable paid plans when you’re ready for something more professional.
We’ll help you figure out what actually matters when choosing hosting and which option makes the most sense for what you’re trying to do.
Let’s find the perfect hosting solution for your needs.
What to Expect From Free Hosting
Free hosting sounds amazing, and it can be, but there are usually some catches. Many free hosts make you use their subdomain (like yoursite.hostingname.com instead of yoursite.com), and some put ads on your pages.
You’ll also deal with limits on storage space, how much traffic your site can handle, and database access.
Here’s the real talk: free hosting works great for school projects, learning to code, and showing off your portfolio.
But if you’re planning to build something long-term or professional, you’ll probably want to upgrade to paid hosting eventually. Free hosting is your training ground, not necessarily your forever home.
Best Free Hosting Providers for Students
Students don’t need expensive hosting to get online. These free platforms help you publish portfolios, class projects, and practice sites quickly, safely, and without spending money.
1. GitHub Pages
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 (username.github.io) |
| Free Storage | 1 GB |
GitHub Pages lets you host your website directly from your code repository. It’s perfect for developers and anyone learning to code because everything connects to your GitHub account.
You can show off projects, build a portfolio, or create documentation sites. It works best with static sites (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), and you get free HTTPS security included.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: GitHub Pages is the go-to choice for coding students. It teaches you real developer workflows while hosting your site completely free with solid performance.
2. Cloudflare Pages
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 100 custom domains |
| Free Storage | 20,000+ files |
Cloudflare Pages makes deploying static websites super easy. Connect your Git repository, and your site goes live automatically whenever you update your code.
Since Cloudflare runs one of the world’s biggest content delivery networks, your site loads fast for visitors anywhere. You can connect your own domain name for free, which is rare among free hosts.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Cloudflare gives you professional-level speed and features without costing a penny. Perfect for students who want their portfolio to load lightning-fast.
3. Netlify
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 custom domain |
| Free Storage | 100 GB bandwidth/month |
Netlify is hugely popular with developers and students learning modern web development. Deploy your site straight from GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket with automatic updates.
The free tier includes forms, serverless functions, and deploy previews so you can test changes before going live. The platform handles all the technical stuff, letting you focus on building.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Netlify combines ease of use with powerful features. Students get professional deployment tools that companies actually use in the real world.
4. Vercel
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | Unlimited custom domains |
| Free Storage | 100 GB bandwidth/month |
Vercel specializes in modern web frameworks and works incredibly well with React, Next.js, and similar technologies. The Hobby plan is designed specifically for personal and student projects.
Deploy instantly from Git, get automatic HTTPS, and enjoy seriously fast global performance. The dashboard is clean and easy to understand, even if you’re new to web hosting.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Vercel is ideal for students learning modern web development. It handles the complicated deployment stuff so you can focus on building cool projects.
5. GitLab Pages
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 (username.gitlab.io) |
| Free Storage | 10 GB repository storage |
GitLab Pages works just like GitHub Pages, but lives in the GitLab ecosystem. If your school or coding bootcamp uses GitLab for projects, this is your natural choice.
You get free static site hosting, custom domain support, and automatic SSL certificates. The CI/CD integration means your site updates automatically when you push code changes.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Perfect if you’re already using GitLab for school. Keeps everything in one place and teaches you industry-standard development practices.
6. Neocities
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 (yoursite.neocities.org) |
| Free Storage | 1 GB |
Neocities brings back the simple joy of building websites with just HTML and CSS. Upload your files through a browser or FTP, and your site goes live immediately.
There’s no complicated setup, no Git required, and no frameworks to learn. It’s perfect for beginners who want to learn web design basics without getting overwhelmed by modern tools and workflows.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Neocities is wonderfully simple for students just starting with HTML and CSS. Learn the fundamentals without any unnecessary complexity getting in your way.
7. InfinityFree
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | Unlimited subdomains |
| Free Storage | Unlimited |
InfinityFree gives you real web hosting features without charging a cent. Install WordPress, build PHP projects, and use MySQL databases just like paid hosting.
You get unlimited storage and bandwidth, which is pretty generous for a free service. The control panel is straightforward, and you can host multiple websites under one account if you’re juggling different projects.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: InfinityFree offers actual PHP and database support for free. Great for students who need more than just static sites without spending money.
8. x10Hosting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 2 subdomains |
| Free Storage | 512 MB |
x10Hosting provides free PHP and MySQL hosting that’s been around for years. You get cPanel access, which is what most professional hosting companies use, so you’re learning industry-standard tools.
Install WordPress or other content management systems with their auto-installer. The community forums are active and helpful when you run into questions or problems.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: x10Hosting teaches you real hosting management with cPanel. Perfect for students learning web design and development who need database support.
9. ByetHost
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | Unlimited subdomains |
| Free Storage | 1 GB |
ByetHost offers quick and easy free hosting with PHP and MySQL support. Set up takes just minutes, and you can start building right away.
The service includes a website builder if you don’t want to code everything from scratch, plus one-click installers for popular scripts. It’s no-frills hosting that gets the job done for student projects and small portfolios.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: ByetHost gets you up and running fast without complications. Solid choice for small projects when you need PHP and databases quickly.
10. AwardSpace Free Hosting
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 subdomain |
| Free Storage | 1 GB |
AwardSpace stands out because its free hosting doesn’t force ads on your website. You get clean, professional-looking pages without someone else’s branding plastered everywhere.
Install WordPress, Joomla, or other content management systems using their auto-installer. The Zacky installer makes setting up popular scripts point-and-click easy, even if you’ve never done it before.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: AwardSpace’s ad-free approach means your portfolio looks professional. Great for students who want clean sites without a paid hosting price tag.
11. Freehostia
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 5 subdomains |
| Free Storage | 250 MB |
Freehostia provides basic free hosting that’s perfect for testing and learning. You get PHP support, MySQL databases, and email accounts, everything you need for small practice projects.
The control panel is user-friendly, and they include one-click installers for common scripts. It’s not the most powerful free hosting out there, but it’s reliable for lightweight student sites and experiments.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Freehostia works well for practice projects and testing ideas. Good learning environment when you’re experimenting with PHP and databases.
12. Tiiny.host
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 subdomain |
| Free Storage | Not specified |
Tiiny.host is ridiculously simple, just upload your HTML files or a ZIP folder, and boom, your site is live. No account creation required for basic use, no complicated dashboards, and no waiting around.
Perfect for those “due tomorrow” class assignments when you need to publish something fast. Upload, get a link, and share it with your professor. Done.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Tiiny.host is the fastest way to get a site online. Absolutely perfect for quick class submissions and last-minute project deployments.
13. Google Sites
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 (sites.google.com/view/yoursite) |
| Free Storage | 15 GB (shared with Google Drive) |
Google Sites is the easiest website builder for students who don’t know any coding. Drag and drop everything, text, images, videos- right in your browser.
It connects easily with Google Drive, Docs, and Slides, so embedding your schoolwork is effortless. The templates look clean and professional, and everything saves automatically.
If you can use Google Docs, you can build a Google Site.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: Google Sites removes all technical barriers. Perfect for non-technical students who just need a simple class website without learning code.
14. WordPress.com
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | 1 (yoursite.wordpress.com) |
| Free Storage | 1 GB |
WordPress.com’s free plan gives you access to the world’s most popular blogging platform without spending anything. Choose from free themes, write posts, and share your thoughts with the world.
The editor is beginner-friendly, and you don’t need to worry about updates or technical maintenance. Fair warning, though, you’ll see WordPress ads on your site and can’t use custom plugins.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: WordPress.com is the best free option for students who want to blog. Easy to use and teaches you WordPress skills used everywhere.
15. FreeHosting.com
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Free Domains | No Free Subdomain |
| Free Storage | 10 GB |
FreeHosting.com delivers surprisingly generous storage space for a free service. You get PHP and MySQL support, making it easy to install WordPress or build custom database-driven projects.
The platform includes cPanel access, which is the same control panel many paid hosts use, so you’re learning professional tools. Email accounts are included, too, which is rare among free hosts.
Why We Recommend This Hosting: FreeHosting.com offers generous storage and professional tools for free. Solid choice for students who need more space for media-heavy projects.
Best Cheap Web Hosting for Students
Free hosting is great for starting out, but sometimes you need something more powerful without breaking your student budget.
Why Paid Hosting Is Often Better for Students
Here’s the truth: spending just a few dollars per month on hosting changes everything. With paid hosting, you get your own custom domain name (like yourname.com) instead of those long subdomains.
Many hosts throw in the domain free for your first year, which already saves you money. Your site loads faster, runs more reliably, and doesn’t crash when people actually visit it.
Every paid plan includes SSL security, which is that little padlock icon in the browser, important for looking professional and protecting visitors.
You’ll get actual customer support when something goes wrong, not just forum posts and crossed fingers.
Best of all? No ads. No hosting company branding plastered across your beautiful website. Your site looks completely professional, like you paid way more than you actually did.
For students building portfolios or personal brands, that clean, professional look matters a lot.
Best Affordable Hosting Plans for Students
| Hosting Provider | Starting Price | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| IONOS | ~$1/month | Best overall budget option | Ultra-low entry price, free domain first year, SSL included |
| Hostinger | ~$2/month | Portfolios and resumes | Beginner-friendly control panel, great performance, easy upgrade path |
| InMotion Hosting | ~$2/month | Tech and CS students | Developer tools, staging environments, and excellent support |
| Bluehost | ~$2/month | WordPress beginners | One-click WordPress install, official WordPress recommendation |
| HostArmada | ~$2/month | Reliability and backups | Cloud-based hosting, daily backups, strong uptime focus |
These prices are promotional rates for your first term (usually 12-36 months). Renewal prices go up, but you’re still paying way less than most hosting companies charge.
For students on tight budgets who need real hosting features, these providers hit the sweet spot between affordable and actually good.
How to Choose the Best Web Hosting for Students
Feeling overwhelmed by all these options? Don’t worry, choosing the right hosting is actually pretty simple when you know what you’re building.
Pick Based on Your Goal
The fastest way to choose hosting is to think about what you’re actually making. Here’s the cheat sheet:
Building a Portfolio?
Go with GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, or Netlify. These free options look professional, load fast, and show potential employers you know your stuff. Perfect for showcasing projects, code samples, and your resume.
Need to Submit a Class Project Fast?
Use Tiiny.host. Seriously, it’s the easiest thing ever. Upload your ZIP file, get a link, and submit it to your professor. Done in under five minutes.
Practicing WordPress?
Start with InfinityFree or AwardSpace Free to learn the basics without spending money. When you’re ready to get serious, upgrade to a paid plan for better performance and your own domain name.
Creating a Long-Term Personal Site?
Skip the free hosting and go straight to cheap paid hosting like IONOS or Hostinger. Spending a couple of dollars per month gets you a real domain, faster speeds, and a site that actually looks professional.
Yes/No Checklist
Still not sure? Answer these five questions, and you’ll know exactly what type of hosting you need:
Need a custom domain now?
If yes, you’ll need paid hosting. Free hosting mostly gives you subdomains (yoursite.freehost.com). Paid plans include a free domain for the first year.
Need databases (MySQL)?
If yes, skip the static hosting options like GitHub Pages and Netlify. Go with PHP hosting like InfinityFree, x10Hosting, or any paid plan.
Need WordPress installs?
If yes, you’ll need hosting with databases and one-click installers. Try InfinityFree for free practice or grab a cheap Bluehost plan for the full experience.
Need Node/Next.js?
If yes, stick with modern platforms like Vercel, Netlify, or Cloudflare Pages. Traditional free hosts won’t support these frameworks.
Need a zero-code builder?
If yes, Google Sites is your best free bet. For paid options, most cheap hosting plans include website builders in the control panel.
Match your answers to the hosting type, and you’re golden. No guessing, no wasting time on hosting that won’t work for your project.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right web hosting as a student doesn’t have to drain your wallet or stress you out. Free hosting works perfectly fine for learning, school assignments, and building your first portfolio.
Once you’re ready to level up with a custom domain and professional features, cheap hosting plans starting around a dollar or two per month give you everything you need without the hefty price tag.
The key is matching your hosting choice to what you’re actually building right now. Don’t overthink it, start with something simple, learn as you go, and upgrade when you need more power.
Every professional website started somewhere, and yours can too.
Ready to get your site online? Pick a hosting option from this guide and launch your project today. Your website is waiting.