Buying a domain name costs $10-15 yearly. When you’re starting your first website, every dollar counts. But here’s something most beginners don’t know: you can get your domain name completely free with the right web hosting.
Many quality hosting providers include a free domain for the first year when you purchase their hosting plans. Some even offer it for as long as you maintain your hosting account. This simple strategy saves you money immediately while simplifying your website setup process.
This guide shows you exactly which hosting providers offer genuinely free domains, how to claim them, and what to watch out for. By the end, you’ll know how to start your website with both hosting AND a free domain—potentially saving $15-30 upfront.
Why Free Domain with Hosting Makes Sense
Getting your domain free with hosting isn’t just about saving money (though that’s nice). It offers several practical advantages:
Benefits of Combined Domain + Hosting:
Immediate Cost Savings Domain registration typically costs $10-15 yearly. Free domain with hosting saves this money immediately. Over several years, savings add up significantly.
Simplified Management Managing domain and hosting with one provider means:
- Single login for everything
- One bill instead of multiple
- Easier DNS configuration
- Streamlined support contact
- No confusion about renewals
Faster Setup When your domain and hosting come from the same provider, setup becomes almost automatic. DNS automatically points correctly. No waiting for propagation or configuring nameservers manually.
Bundle Discounts Providers offering free domains often include other bonuses:
- Free SSL certificates
- Free email accounts
- Website builders
- Premium templates
- Marketing credits
Understanding web hosting basics helps you appreciate how domain and hosting work together.
Best Web Hosting with Free Domain: Top Providers
These hosting providers genuinely include free domains with their plans:
1. Bluehost – Best Overall Free Domain Offer
Free Domain Period: 1 year free
Renewal: Standard domain rates after first year
Starting Price: $2.95/month
What’s Included:
- Free .com, .net, .org, or .site domain (first year)
- Free SSL certificate (forever)
- Free CDN integration
- Unmetered bandwidth
- 50GB-unlimited SSD storage
- Professional email accounts
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Why Choose Bluehost: Bluehost is officially recommended by WordPress.org. They’ve perfected the beginner experience with one-click WordPress installation, comprehensive tutorials, and WordPress-expert support available 24/7.
The free domain setup happens automatically during signup. Simply choose your desired domain name, and it’s instantly registered free when you purchase hosting.
Get up to 75% OFF Bluehost + Free Domain
Complete Bluehost setup guide walks you through claiming your free domain step-by-step.
2. Hostinger – Best Budget Option with Free Domain
Free Domain Period: 1 year free
Renewal: Affordable domain rates
Starting Price: $1.99/month (48-month term)
What’s Included:
- Free domain with Premium and Business plans
- LiteSpeed technology (extremely fast)
- Built-in caching
- Free SSL certificate
- Weekly backups (Business plan)
- 30-day refund guarantee
- 24/7 live chat support
Why Choose Hostinger: Hostinger delivers premium performance at budget-friendly prices. Their LiteSpeed technology makes websites load exceptionally fast—often faster than hosting costing 3x more.
The hPanel interface is specifically designed for beginners. It’s simpler and clearer than traditional cPanel, making website management straightforward even for complete beginners.
Get 20% OFF Hostinger + Free Domain – Use code START20
Hostinger features explained in detail
3. BigRock – Best for Indian Users
Free Domain Period: Varies by promotion
Renewal: Competitive Indian market rates
Starting Price: Affordable for Indian market
What’s Included:
- Free domain with annual hosting plans
- Indian datacenter (fast for Indian visitors)
- Rupee pricing (no currency confusion)
- Local payment methods (UPI, net banking)
- Hindi support available
- Professional email hosting
Why Choose BigRock: For Indian website owners, BigRock offers distinct advantages. The Indian datacenter delivers faster loading speeds for Indian visitors. Rupee pricing eliminates currency conversion confusion. Local payment methods make transactions simple.
Hindi-speaking support teams understand cultural context and business hours that work for Indian customers.
Get BigRock Hosting + Free Domain
4. GTHost – Budget-Friendly Alternative
Free Domain Period: Check current promotion
Renewal: Standard rates
Starting Price: $99/month
What’s Included:
- Free domain with select plans
- Affordable pricing structure
- Good for beginners
- Basic features included
- Support available
Explore GTHost Plans – Use code GETSERVER
Providers That Don’t Offer Free Domains (But Are Still Excellent)
Some premium hosting providers don’t include free domains but offer other compelling advantages:
InterServer – Price Lock Guarantee
Free Domain: No
Unique Advantage: Your rate never increases
Starting Price: $2.50/month (locked forever)
While InterServer doesn’t provide a free domain, their price lock guarantee offers different value. Your signup rate becomes your permanent rate. Forever.
Most hosting companies triple prices after year one. InterServer’s price stability often saves more money long-term than a free first-year domain.
Cost Comparison Over 3 Years:
Typical host with free domain:
- Year 1: $36 + $0 domain = $36
- Year 2: $132 + $15 domain = $147
- Year 3: $132 + $15 domain = $147
- Total: $330
InterServer without free domain:
- Year 1: $30 + $15 domain = $45
- Year 2: $30 + $15 domain = $45
- Year 3: $30 + $15 domain = $45
- Total: $135
InterServer saves $195 over three years despite not including a free domain!
Get Price-Locked Hosting – Use code GETSERVEROFF
Why InterServer’s price lock matters
Hosting.com – Managed WordPress
Free Domain: Varies by plan
Unique Advantage: Completely managed service
Starting Price: $4.99/month
Hosting.com focuses on delivering premium managed WordPress hosting. While domain policies vary, their white-glove service handles all technical aspects of running your WordPress website.
For business owners valuing time over money, managed hosting eliminates technical burdens entirely.
Explore Hosting.com Managed Services
Hosting.com features explained
How to Claim Your Free Domain
Getting your free domain is straightforward. Here’s exactly what happens:
Step-by-Step Process:
1: Choose Your Hosting Provider Select from providers offering free domains based on your needs and budget.
2: Select a Hosting Plan Free domains typically come with:
- Annual plans (12+ months)
- Premium or higher-tier plans
- Some entry-level plans include it too
3: Check Eligibility During signup, the website clearly indicates if free domain is included. Look for:
- “Free domain for 1 year”
- “Get your domain free”
- Domain selection step during checkout
4: Search for Your Desired Domain Enter your preferred domain name. The system checks availability across:
- .com (most popular)
- .net (alternative)
- .org (organizations)
- .site, .online, .tech (newer options)
5: Choose Available Domain If your first choice isn’t available, try:
- Different extensions (.net instead of .com)
- Slight variations in name
- Adding descriptive words
- Using hyphens (though not ideal)
6: Complete Purchase Proceed through checkout. The domain registration happens automatically. You receive:
- Domain ownership confirmation
- Hosting activation
- Control panel access
- Welcome email with details
7: Start Building Your domain and hosting are now connected. You can immediately:
- Install WordPress
- Use website builder
- Upload website files
- Configure email accounts
The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes.
Beginners guide to getting started
What Happens After the Free Year?
Understanding renewal is important for planning:
Year One:
- Domain: Free with hosting
- Hosting: Promotional rate (e.g., $2.95/month)
- Total monthly cost: Just hosting price
Year Two and Beyond:
- Domain: Standard renewal (typically $10-15)
- Hosting: Renewal rate (often $7-12/month)
- Total monthly cost: Hosting + domain
Your Options:
Option 1: Renew Everything Keep both domain and hosting with same provider. Convenient but potentially more expensive long-term.
Option 2: Move Domain, Keep Hosting Transfer domain to cheaper registrar (like Namecheap or Porkbun). Keep hosting where it is. Saves on domain renewal.
Option 3: Move Everything Migrate to different hosting with another free domain year. Requires migration effort but can save significantly.
How to migrate hosting smoothly
Option 4: Choose Price-Locked Hosting Start with InterServer’s price lock and buy domain separately. Renewal rates never increase. Often cheapest long-term option.
Free Domain Limitations to Know
Free domains with hosting are genuinely free, but understand these points:
Ownership and Control
You fully own the domain – Despite getting it free, the domain registers in your name. You maintain complete ownership and control.
Transfer rights preserved – You can transfer the domain to another registrar whenever you want (after initial 60-day registration period).
Renewal required – After the free year, you must renew to keep the domain. If you don’t renew, the domain becomes available for others to register.
Extension Availability
Free domains typically include:
- .com (most popular)
- .net (common alternative)
- .org (for organizations)
- .site, .online, .tech (newer extensions)
Premium domains (.io, .app, .dev) usually cost extra even with free domain offers.
Cancellation Policies
If you cancel hosting before the free year ends, providers may charge for the domain at standard rates. Read cancellation policies before committing.
Most providers offering 30-day money-back guarantees exclude domain registration costs from refunds.
Comparing: Free Domain vs Buying Separately
Which approach saves more money?
Scenario 1: New Website, Planning Long-Term
Free Domain with Hosting:
- Year 1 savings: $15
- Convenience: High
- Setup simplicity: Very easy
- Best for: Beginners wanting simplicity
Buying Separately:
- Year 1 savings: $0
- Long-term control: Maximum
- Setup complexity: Higher
- Best for: Experienced users wanting flexibility
Scenario 2: Switching Hosting Providers
Had Free Domain:
- Must transfer domain or lose it
- Transfer process adds complication
- Some downtime risk if mishandled
Bought Separately:
- Keep domain where it is
- Just move hosting
- Simpler migration
- Zero domain-related downtime
Scenario 3: Budget Extremely Tight
Free Domain with Hosting: Saves $10-15 immediately when cash flow matters most. For bootstrapped projects, this matters.
Buying Separately: Extra $15 upfront might strain very tight budgets.
Understanding total hosting costs helps you budget properly from the start.
Which Hosting with Free Domain Should You Choose?
Match your choice to your specific situation:
Choose Bluehost If:
✅ You’re building a WordPress website
✅ You want official WordPress.org recommendation
✅ Expert support matters to you
✅ You prefer established, trusted brands
✅ You value comprehensive tutorials
Get Bluehost + Free Domain (75% OFF)
Choose Hostinger If:
✅ Budget is your primary concern
✅ Speed and performance matter
✅ You want modern, easy-to-use interface
✅ 24/7 live chat support appeals to you
✅ You’re comfortable with newer brands
Get Hostinger + Free Domain (20% OFF with START20)
Choose BigRock If:
✅ You’re based in India
✅ Your audience is primarily Indian
✅ Local support in Hindi matters
✅ Rupee pricing simplifies budgeting
✅ Fast Indian datacenter benefits you
Consider InterServer If:
✅ Long-term cost stability matters most
✅ You’re okay buying domain separately
✅ You plan hosting for several years
✅ Renewal rate increases concern you
✅ You want unlimited websites eventually
Get InterServer Price-Locked Hosting
Real User Experiences
Learning from others helps you decide:
One blogger shared their experience choosing hosting with a free domain and saved money while simplifying their setup process.
Another website owner documented how focusing only on free domain led them to choose hosting that ultimately didn’t perform well—a reminder that free domain shouldn’t be the only factor.
Common hosting mistakes include choosing hosting purely for freebies rather than actual quality and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the free domain really free?
Yes! The domain is genuinely free for the first year when you purchase eligible hosting plans. You pay nothing extra for domain registration.
After the first year, you pay standard domain renewal rates (typically $10-15 annually) to keep the domain.
Can I transfer my free domain later?
Absolutely! Despite getting it free, the domain registers in your name. After the initial 60-day registration lock period, you can transfer it to any registrar you choose.
What happens if I cancel hosting?
If you cancel hosting before the free domain year ends, you may be charged the domain’s value at standard rates. Check your provider’s specific cancellation policy.
After the free year, your domain and hosting operate independently. You can keep the domain even if you cancel hosting.
Which domain extensions are included?
Most free domain offers include:
- .com (most popular)
- .net (common)
- .org (organizations)
- .site, .online, .tech (newer options)
Premium extensions like .io, .app, or .dev typically cost extra.
Do I still need hosting if I get a free domain?
Yes! A domain is just your website address. You need hosting to store your actual website files and make them accessible online.
Think of domain as your home address and hosting as the actual house. You need both.
Understanding hosting and domains
Can I get multiple free domains?
Typically, one free domain per hosting purchase. If you need multiple domains, you’ll purchase additional ones at standard rates.
Some providers offer free domain with each separate hosting account, but buying multiple hosting accounts just for free domains rarely makes financial sense.
Is cheap hosting with free domain reliable?
Quality affordable hosting absolutely can be reliable. The key is choosing reputable providers like Hostinger, Bluehost, or BigRock rather than unknown ultra-budget hosts.
Free domain doesn’t indicate hosting quality—it’s simply a promotional incentive to attract customers.
Beyond the Free Domain: What Else Matters
While free domain saves money, consider these equally important factors:
Performance and Speed
Slow hosting ruins user experience regardless of domain cost. Look for:
- SSD storage (not old hard drives)
- Modern server technology
- Built-in caching
- CDN integration
Hostinger’s LiteSpeed technology delivers exceptional speed despite budget pricing.
Support Quality
Problems occur. Quality support resolves them quickly:
- 24/7 availability
- Multiple contact methods (chat, phone, email)
- Knowledgeable staff
- Fast response times
Bluehost’s WordPress-expert support helps beginners navigate WordPress-specific issues.
Security Features
Protect your website and visitors:
- Free SSL certificates
- Automatic backups
- Malware scanning
- DDoS protection
Scalability
Your website will grow. Hosting should accommodate:
- Easy upgrades
- More resources when needed
- Additional websites
- E-commerce capabilities
Comparing hosting options thoroughly ensures you choose based on complete value, not just free domain.
Making Your Final Decision
Free domain with hosting offers real value—immediate savings plus simplified setup. However, it shouldn’t be your only decision factor.
Evaluate these priorities:
- Performance – How fast will your website load?
- Support – Will you get help when needed?
- Price stability – What happens after year one?
- Features – Does it include what you actually need?
- Free domain – Nice bonus, but fifth priority
My recommendation:
For most beginners, Hostinger’s combination of affordable pricing, free domain, LiteSpeed performance, and easy interface delivers best overall value.
For WordPress-specific sites, Bluehost’s official recommendation plus free domain provides peace of mind for beginners.
Also, For long-term projects where renewal increases concern you, InterServer’s price lock saves more money over time despite lacking free domain.
For Indian websites, BigRock’s local advantages plus free domain make it the obvious choice.
Start Your Website Today
Ready to launch your website with free domain and quality hosting?
Action Steps:
- Choose your hosting provider from recommendations above
- Select an appropriate plan (usually annual for free domain)
- Think of 3-5 domain name options (in case first choice is taken)
- Sign up and claim your free domain during checkout
- Start building your website immediately
Don’t let analysis paralysis stop you. Pick a quality provider offering free domain, start today, and adjust as you learn.
Your domain is free. Also, Your hosting is affordable. Your website is waiting to be created.
Get Started Now:
Bluehost + Free Domain (75% OFF)
Hostinger + Free Domain (20% OFF – Code: START20)
InterServer Price Lock (Best Long-Term – Code: GETSERVEROFF)
Hosting.com Managed (Premium Service)
Questions about free domains or hosting? Drop a comment below! 💬