If you’re diving into the world of WordPress and looking for a budget-friendly way to get started, chances are you’ve stumbled upon 000webhost. Known for its free web hosting service, 000webhost offers WordPress enthusiasts a no-cost opportunity to get their site online. But, as with all free services, this offer comes with some significant caveats. So what exactly does 000webhost’s free hosting offer, and is it enough to support your WordPress ambitions?
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
000webhost offers a decent entry point for beginners looking to host a WordPress site without spending money. However, the free hosting plan comes with limitations like low storage, limited traffic bandwidth, and lack of customer support. While it’s great for learning and experimentation, you’ll quickly hit its ceiling if you plan to run anything serious or commercial. Consider it a stepping stone rather than a long-term solution.
What is 000webhost?
000webhost, a subsidiary of Hostinger, is a platform that provides free and premium web hosting services. It’s particularly appealing to beginners and learners due to its zero-cost entry point, user-friendly interface, and one-click WordPress installation feature. The platform was designed with low-resource users in mind, such as students, hobbyists, and those testing new projects.
Since it’s from the same family as Hostinger, it benefits from a solid infrastructure backbone, but there are key differences in service level when comparing the free and paid versions.
Features of 000webhost’s Free Hosting Plan
The free hosting plan includes:
- 1 website per account
- 300 MB of disk space
- 3 GB of bandwidth per month
- No email accounts included
- 1-click WordPress installer
- No SSL certificate
- Limited customer support – community based only
As you can see, the resources are minimal, but it’s enough to run a basic WordPress installation. Great if you’re just starting out, but somewhat restrictive if you want to scale.
Setting Up WordPress with 000webhost
If you’re wondering how easy it is to install WordPress with 000webhost, the process is surprisingly straightforward:
- Sign up for a free account on the 000webhost website.
- Log in and go to the Dashboard.
- Select “Create Website” and choose the free option.
- Use the 1-click WordPress installer to deploy WordPress.
- Log into your new WordPress site and start customizing!
The whole process can take under 10 minutes. In terms of simplicity, 000webhost excels—particularly for those new to hosting and website creation.
Understanding the Limits: The Hidden Trade-Offs
With any free service, there are limitations, and 000webhost is no different. Let’s break them down:
1. Storage Constraints
300 MB of disk space is quite limited—even for a lightweight WordPress website. Once you upload a few media files, install some themes and plug-ins, you’ll likely be out of space. It restricts flexibility significantly.
2. Performance & Speed
Sites hosted on 000webhost’s free plan often experience slower loading speeds when compared to paid hosting. This is due in part to resource pooling and fewer allocated server resources.
3. Daily Sleep Time
Yes, your site will go offline for one hour per day. This ‘sleep time’ is randomized and non-negotiable. For commercial websites, this is a complete deal-breaker.
4. Subdomain Only (Without Custom Domain)
Free sites are hosted under the 000webhostapp.com subdomain unless you purchase a custom domain. For example, your site might be yoursite.000webhostapp.com, which doesn’t look professional.
5. No Email or SSL
Most modern websites require secure connections and the ability to send/receive emails, especially for user registration or contact forms. Sadly, these are missing from the free plan and require an upgrade.
Use Cases: When Does Free Hosting Make Sense?
Despite its limitations, there are scenarios where 000webhost’s free plan is actually a solid choice:
- Learning WordPress: A perfect sandbox for learning without financial commitment.
- Testing Themes/Plugins: Great for developers experimenting with builds.
- Student Projects: For small coursework websites with low traffic requirements.
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Quickly show a proof of concept before scaling up.
Just bear in mind—these use cases are temporary. As your skills or project mature, you’ll likely outgrow the platform.
What Happens When You Outgrow It?
Eventually, most users will bump into the resource walls set by the free plan. So what are your options?
- Upgrade to Hostinger’s Premium Plan: Hostinger, the parent company, offers shared hosting plans with more resources and better overall performance—starting at around $2–$3/month.
- Migrate to Another Host: Using free plugins like All-in-One WP Migration, you can move your data to another server fairly easily.
Seamless migration options make it convenient to scale up when you’re ready, ensuring your progress isn’t lost if you decide to get more serious about your site.
Security and Support: What You’re Missing
Security and technical support are vital pillars of any web hosting plan, and unfortunately, 000webhost’s free plan doesn’t shine here.
No SSL certificate means your website won’t serve over HTTPS, leading to browser warnings. And without access to professional support, troubleshooting technical issues can turn into a time-consuming headache reliant on forums and community threads.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Free Hosting Options
One common question: how does 000webhost compare to other free hosts like InfinityFree, AwardSpace, or FreeHosting.com?
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Provider | Storage | Bandwidth | SSL | Ads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000webhost | 300 MB | 3 GB/month | No | No |
| InfinityFree | Unlimited | Unlimited | Yes | No |
| AwardSpace | 1 GB | 5 GB/month | Yes | No |
In comparison, 000webhost ranks lower in terms of resource generosity. However, it’s the easiest to set up and use, especially if you’re aiming to run WordPress specifically.
Final Verdict
000webhost is a viable gateway into the WordPress ecosystem for beginners, developers testing ideas, and those who want to dip a toe into the waters of web creation. But its limitations are significant: storage, downtime, no SSL, no email, and sporadic support weigh it down heavily for those with professional needs.
If you’re serious about running a blog, portfolio, or business website, upgrading is not just advisable—it’s necessary.
That being said, for those just starting out with WordPress, 000webhost offers a zero-risk starting point that can be tremendously educational and even inspirational.
Just don’t expect it to carry you across the finish line.