1 min readFreemium

Netlify

Netlify is a web hosting and deployment platform that builds and publishes websites and web apps from your Git repository.

// at a glance

Is Netlify free?
Freemium. Partly. Netlify has a free plan, with paid plans for more features or usage.
Category
#Web Development
Website
netlify.com ↗
Netlify logo

What is Netlify?

Netlify is a platform for building, deploying and hosting modern websites and web apps. You connect a Git repository, and every push triggers a build that is published to Netlify's global network. Each pull request gets its own deploy preview link, which makes it easy to review changes before they go live.

Beyond static hosting, Netlify runs serverless and edge functions, handles forms, and supports frameworks such as Next.js, Astro and many others. Custom domains with free SSL are included. Usage on every plan is measured in credits that cover bandwidth, builds, compute and requests, with a free plan for individual projects.

Main Features

  • Git-based builds and automatic deploys
  • Deploy previews for every pull request
  • Global CDN with custom domains and free SSL
  • Serverless and edge functions
  • Built-in form handling
  • Support for popular frameworks like Next.js and Astro

How to Get Started with Netlify

  1. Sign up at netlify.com with GitHub, GitLab or email
  2. Import a project from your Git repository or drag and drop a folder
  3. Check the build settings and deploy
  4. Add a custom domain and share your live site

Netlify Pricing

The Free plan is $0 with 300 credits a month for individual projects. Personal costs $9 a month with 1,000 credits, Pro is $20 a month with 3,000 credits and team features, and Enterprise is custom priced.

Who Should Use It?

  • Front-end developers shipping sites from Git
  • Agencies hosting client websites
  • Students publishing portfolios and projects
  • Teams who want preview links for every change
  • Indie hackers launching side projects

Netlify Alternatives

  • Supabase: open source Postgres backend with auth
  • v0 by Vercel: AI tool that builds web interfaces from prompts
  • Replit AI: browser IDE that writes and hosts apps

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Netlify free?

Yes. Netlify has a free plan with 300 credits a month, custom domains and SSL. Paid plans start at $9 a month for more usage.

Can I use a custom domain on Netlify for free?

Yes. Custom domains with SSL are included on the free plan.

Does Netlify support Next.js?

Yes. Netlify supports Next.js along with many other frameworks and static site generators.

Try Netlify