Let’s get right to it. The most dependable way to get a truly free domain name is to bundle it with a web hosting plan.

Technically, it’s not 100% free—you’re still paying for hosting—but the first year of domain registration is included at no extra cost. That’s the deal.

There are two other routes that aren’t exactly “free,” but they can be close enough for certain use cases:

  • Buy a super-cheap domain name. You probably won’t score a .com or .net at that price, but registrars often discount lesser-known extensions for as low as $0.99 for the first year.
  • Use a free website builder or blogging platform. Platforms like Wix, WordPress.com, Substack, and others let you publish on their domain, so you don’t pay for a domain or hosting.

Below, I’ll break down each method, when to consider it, and how to get the best overall value.

How To Get a Free Domain Name With Web Hosting

Most major hosting providers include a free domain name when you commit to at least a one-year plan. It’s a smart move if you’re launching a new site and want to keep upfront costs low.

Here’s my process for finding the best web hosting + domain bundle:

  1. Search for your preferred domain name. Hosting providers with bundles usually include a built-in domain search tool. I personally use Hostinger for my blog—it’s been reliable and budget-friendly. You can check Hostinger’s available domains.
  2. Pick a shared hosting plan. Shared hosting is perfect for beginners and small sites. It’s affordable and low maintenance. Choose providers that don’t nickel-and-dime you with hidden fees and that include basics like SSL.
  3. Complete the entire signup flow before paying. This is how you spot surprise add-ons—like paid WHOIS privacy, backups, or setup fees—so you can uncheck anything you don’t need.
  4. Consider a multi-year contract. Intro pricing is lowest up front and renewals jump later. Locking in two or three years can save a lot over time.

So what does it actually cost?

Entry-level shared hosting promos typically start under $5/month, billed annually. Expect to pay the first year up front.

For a 12-month commitment, you’re usually looking at roughly $50–$60 for hosting on promo, with your first-year domain included.

And the domain really is included?

Yes—for the first year. Hosts bundle the first year of registration to encourage annual signups. After that, your domain renews at standard rates.

No gimmicks—just a straightforward discount.

Downsides of free domain name bundles:

  • You must pay for at least one year of hosting to get the free domain.
  • After the first year, you’ll renew the domain annually—typically around $10–$20+ for a standard .com.
  • You’re committing up front instead of paying month-to-month.

Upsides of domain + hosting bundles:

  • You get a professional domain like yourbrand.com, which boosts trust and clicks.
  • No third-party platform ads cluttering your site.
  • One dashboard for hosting, domain, SSL, email routing, and DNS management.
  • Custom domains tend to perform better than free subdomains like yourname.wordpress.com.
  • Access to support and a knowledge base as your site grows.

Bundling your domain and hosting is the easiest way to launch a credible website—and the least stressful to maintain long-term.

The alternative? Piecing together your hosting, domain, and SSL from different vendors. It can work, but it’s more moving parts and often ends up costing more.

Tips For Getting a Free Domain Name With Hosting

This comes down to choosing the right web host. Many hosts offer similar plans, but a few should be avoided for hidden fees or poor support.

I’ve had great experiences with Hostinger, but Bluehost, DreamHost, and HostGator are also solid picks—each includes a first-year domain with hosting.

Once you’ve selected a bundle, keep these tips in mind:

  • Stick with a .com if possible. It’s still the most recognizable and trusted by users. Be flexible with the name, not the extension.
  • Verify what’s included. SSL should be free via Let’s Encrypt. Domain privacy is free at some registrars but not all hosts—budget for it if needed.
  • Test support early. Ask a pre-sales question during your trial window. Slow or canned replies are a red flag.
  • Enable auto-renew with a reminder. Domains lapsing can trigger costly redemption fees. Set a calendar alert 30 days before renewal.

Getting a domain “free” with hosting isn’t totally free—but it’s the best overall value if you’re serious about your site.

Next, let’s look at ultra-low-cost options—and what you give up when you chase the absolute lowest price.

How To Get the Lowest Price on a Domain Name

Can you stomach spending $0.99 on a domain? It’s not free, but it’s about as close as you’ll get without bundling with hosting.

This route isn’t for everyone, and I don’t recommend it unless you’re on a true shoestring budget or testing an idea.

If you’re determined to score the cheapest possible domain, here’s how I’d do it:

  • Choose a budget-friendly registrar with lots of extensions. Namecheap is my go-to. NameSilo and Porkbun are great alternatives.
  • Use the domain search tool to surface the cheapest extensions and creative options.
  • Compare across registrars to make sure you’re actually getting the lowest first-year price.
  • Check renewal pricing before you buy. Register for one year if renewals are steep; you can always transfer later.

These registrars make it easy to explore different TLDs and find a budget-friendly option for your project.

How low can it go?

Here’s a snapshot of what a Namecheap deal can look like right now:

List of TLDs and prices to register and renew on Namecheap

These aren’t bizarre extensions either. Something like your-site.online or your-site.shop can work just fine for certain projects.

But here’s the catch: if these TLDs need deep discounts to move, what does that say about long-term demand and trust?

You can absolutely get by with a cheap extension. Personally, I’ll pay extra for a .com—it’s trusted, familiar, and more clickable in search results.

Drawbacks of cheap domain names:

  • Less-recognizable extensions can look spammy or untrustworthy.
  • You still need to purchase web hosting to use the domain.
  • Teaser pricing often applies only to year one.
  • Renewals can be high—especially on obscure TLDs.
  • SEO and user trust are often weaker with nonstandard extensions.

Upsides of going cheap:

  • You own a real, functional domain.
  • You control DNS, redirects, and can upgrade or transfer later.

Bottom line: you’re trading domain quality for a lower upfront cost.

All else equal, website.com tends to outperform website.co or website.club in clicks and trust. Users have a clear preference—and that shows up in performance.

Choosing a bargain-bin TLD puts you at a disadvantage on perception, SEO, and brand recall.

Tips for Getting the Cheapest Domain Name Possible

Going for the lowest-cost domain? Maximize your odds of a good outcome:

  • Buy from a registrar—not a web host. It’s usually cheaper and more transparent on renewals.
  • Compare multiple registrars. Look for limited-time promos, coupon codes, or bundles (like free WHOIS privacy).
  • WHOIS privacy should be free. Many registrars include it for life on most TLDs. If not, reconsider.
  • Check renewal and transfer policies. A $0.99 first year that renews at $29.99 isn’t a deal. Know the long-term cost and the 60-day ICANN transfer lock after new registrations.

Personally, I use Namecheap. The selection is vast, pricing is transparent, and WHOIS privacy is typically free for life on most TLDs.

One last tip: avoid upsells. Don’t buy email hosting or web hosting from your registrar unless you’ve compared real costs. If a free trial is forced, make sure auto-renew is off.

How To Build a Free Site On a Domain You Don’t Own

If you’re not ready to buy a domain or pay for hosting, you can build on someone else’s domain using a free website builder or blogging platform.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Sign up for an account with a free website builder (like Wix or Mozello) or blogging site (like Substack or Medium). All you need is an email address.
  2. Add basic site info. Most platforms keep setup simple. You can update details later.
  3. Pick a template or layout. Builders offer multiple templates; blog platforms use simpler, fixed layouts.
  4. Publish your first page or post. Just like that, your site is live—for free.

Your content lives on their domain. For example, a free Wix site looks like yourname.wixsite.com.

You’ll have a functional website with a $0 launch cost.

But there are tradeoffs.

Drawbacks of building on someone else’s domain:

  • Your URL looks less professional and can hurt brand credibility.
  • It’s harder to rank well in search with a subdomain or subfolder.
  • Free plans often display platform ads you can’t remove without upgrading.
  • Limited or no access to real support.
  • Migration to another platform later can be painful or impossible.

Benefits of this method:

  • It’s 100% free—no domain, hosting, or setup fees.
  • No technical maintenance—just write, design, and publish.
  • Decent templates and help docs to get started quickly.

Note: free builders come with persistent upsells and limitations. On a Wix free site, for example, you’ll get a branded banner and footer ad—it’s not a clean, professional look.

Search visibility is another concern. Ranking on Google is already competitive—doing it with a subdomain like myblog.wordpress.com is even tougher.

Design flexibility is limited too. Many customizations, advanced features, and ad removal require upgrading to paid plans.

Ironically, those premium plans often cost more long-term than buying your own domain and using budget hosting from day one.

That said, writing-first platforms like Medium and Substack are great for creators who prioritize publishing speed and built-in audiences. You won’t have full layout control, but the reading experience is clean and ad-free.

Bottom line: the free website method is fine for personal projects or short-term tests. If you’re building something serious, buy your own domain.

Tips for Building a Site on a Domain You Don’t Own

If you’re going this route, here’s how to make it work:

  • Pick a template you can live with. Free plans are restrictive, and deeper customization usually requires upgrading.
  • Test several platforms first. Choose the one that feels intuitive—you’ll save time and frustration.
  • Check the upgrade path. If you might grow later, make sure paid tiers aren’t overpriced and that migration off the platform is possible.

Why I Will Never Use A Truly Free Domain Name

Every so often you’ll see services offering 100% free domain names. No hosting required, no subdomains—just “free.”

It sounds great until you realize those domains often become magnets for scams and spam. These services appear and disappear quickly, taking people’s projects down with them.

My take: don’t bet your website on a service like that.

The last major player was Freenom. They shut down their free domain program in 2023 and haven’t offered a reliable alternative since.

Even if they came back, I wouldn’t recommend them—or anything similar.

Yes, people used Freenom domains for years. Ask them now, and most will tell you it wasn’t worth the risk.

Here’s why truly free domains are a nightmare for serious websites:

  • Domains can be revoked without warning. Reports of domains being pulled once they start getting traffic aren’t uncommon.
  • Sketchy extensions. You’ll rarely see .com or .org. Instead you get obscure ccTLDs (like .tk or .gq) frequently linked to spam and phishing.
  • Unreliable service. “Free” means no real support. Expect outages, bugs, and no recourse when things break.

I get the appeal—making the web accessible. But free domain services get abused and rarely survive.

If you’re serious about growth, there are better places to save money. Your domain isn’t where you should cut corners.

For $10–$20 a year, a good domain is one of the best investments you can make in your brand, SEO, and credibility.

If you can snag a free first-year domain with your hosting plan—take the win and build on solid ground.