// from my own migration
Static web hosting: what it is, who it's for, and the best free options in 2026
A static site is a folder of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and images, served as-is. There's no database or PHP, so nothing to hack or update, and many hosts serve it free. I'm moving my small sites this way in 2026.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Best for sites that change weekly or less: portfolios, docs, landing pages, small blogs.
- Free options include Cloudflare Pages and Render's static sites; both deploy from Git.
- Forms, search and comments need outside services or small serverless functions.
- Not for stores, memberships or sites edited daily by non-technical people.
How static hosting works
Your site is built once (by hand, by a static site generator such as Astro, Hugo or Eleventy, or exported from WordPress) and uploaded as files. The host copies them to servers around the world and serves them directly. A page loads without waiting for PHP or a database query, which is why static sites are fast even on free plans.
Static vs WordPress hosting
| Static hosting | WordPress hosting | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Often $0 | $3-10/mo intro on shared, $20+ managed |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Core, theme and plugin updates |
| Security | No database or admin login to attack | Needs updates, backups, security plugins |
| Editing | Files, Git or a headless CMS | Visual editor in the browser |
| Dynamic features | Via services or functions | Plugins |
Free static hosts I'd consider
- Cloudflare Pages: global network, custom domains, Git deploys, generous free build allowance.
- Render (static sites): Git deploys and free static hosting; SiteHostingFinder itself runs on Render as a Node app.
- Netlify: Git deploys, forms and functions on its free tier.
Free-tier limits (builds, bandwidth, team seats) change often; check each host's pricing page before you move.
Moving from WordPress
I wrote up the full process, including what to replace (forms, search, comments) and how to keep every URL and redirect: moving WordPress sites to static hosting. Before you cancel your old host, follow the switch checklist so DNS and email survive the move.