How to get a free domain in India (and the catches nobody mentions)
"Free domain" usually means free for the first year with a hosting plan. Here is how that works, what it costs later, and the genuinely no-cost alternatives.
AI-generated illustration.
The honest version: the easiest way to get a domain at no cost is to claim the one included with a hosting plan. It is free for the first year, then renews at the normal price. Truly free alternatives exist, but they are subdomains (like yourname.example-builder.com), not your own .com or .in.
Option 1: A domain included with hosting
Most popular hosts bundle a domain with longer plans. On Hostinger India (checked 2 Nov 2026), Premium at ₹139/mo, Unlimited at ₹199/mo and Cloud Startup at ₹599/mo on 48-month terms all listed a domain "free for 1 year". Hostinger also lists WHOIS privacy protection with these plans.
How to claim it on Hostinger
- Buy a qualifying plan (annual or longer).
- Log in to the dashboard and click Claim domain.
- Search for the name you want and pick an available extension.
- Fill in your registrant details carefully: your own name and an email address you will keep.
- Connect it to your website; on Hostinger this happens within the same dashboard.
That is it. SSL is set up automatically, so your site loads with the padlock.
Domain included for year one with Premium, Unlimited and Cloud Startup (checked 2 Nov 2026).Opens Hostinger's site in a new tab · we may earn a commission
Check today's priceThe catches you should know
1. It renews at the normal price
After the first year, you pay the standard yearly price for that domain extension. Check the renewal price for your extension on the host's domain page before you choose a fancy extension.
2. Refund rules are different
Hostinger's 30-day money-back guarantee covers hosting plans, not domains in the same way. Its refund policy says free domains from special deals are non-refundable, and the domain's standard price may be deducted from your hosting refund. You keep the domain for the rest of its billing period. Domain renewals are non-refundable, and .in registrations are on the non-refundable list.
3. Choose the extension carefully
Not every extension may be eligible for the free offer. The common ones such as .com are typically included; check the claim screen before you settle on a name.
4. Keep your registrant details yours
If a designer or agency registers the domain for you, make sure it is in your name with your email. Losing access to the domain is one of the most painful problems a small business can have.
Option 2: Free subdomains (genuinely no cost)
If you only want to test an idea, a subdomain costs nothing:
- Website builder subdomains: many builders let you publish at yourname.builder-domain.com on a free tier, with the builder's branding.
- Your host's temporary address: Hostinger gives new websites a temporary *.hostingersite.com address. This very site started on one.
- Developer platforms: services like GitHub Pages host static sites at username.github.io.
Subdomains are fine for practice, portfolios and experiments. For a business, your own domain looks far more trustworthy on a visiting card, in WhatsApp and in Google results, and you keep it if you switch hosts.
Option 3: Be careful with "lifetime free domain" offers
Once-popular free domain services such as Freenom stopped offering new free registrations, and many "free .com for life" ads today are tied to expensive hosting renewals or simply do not deliver. A real domain costs the registry money every year, so somebody pays. If an offer sounds too good, read the renewal terms.
How to choose a good domain name
- Short and spoken-friendly. Say it over the phone; if you have to spell it twice, simplify.
- No hyphens or numbers unless they are part of your brand.
- Include your city only if you will stay local, e.g. puneyogastudio.in.
- Avoid trademarks. Do not use other companies' brand names in your domain.
- Check social handles so your Instagram and domain match.
.in vs .com vs others
| Extension | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .in | Indian businesses and local services | Run under India's registry (NIXI); clear local signal |
| .com | Anyone, especially if you serve customers abroad | Most familiar; good names are often taken |
| .co.in | Indian companies when the .in is taken | Recognised, slightly longer |
| Newer extensions (.online, .store, .site) | Creative brands | Can be cheap the first year but check renewals |
After you get your domain
- Set up a professional email (Premium and Unlimited include mailboxes for the first year).
- Build your site; see how to start a website in India.
- Add the domain to Google Search Console and your Google Business Profile.
- Turn on auto-renew for the domain, or set a reminder, so it never lapses.
Moving your domain later: pointing vs transferring
Because a domain is separate from hosting, you are never stuck with one host. There are two ways to move:
- Point it (change DNS): keep the domain where it is registered and update its nameservers or DNS records to point at the new host. Quick, and the domain's billing stays where it is.
- Transfer it: move the registration itself to another registrar. You will need the transfer authorisation code, and the domain must be unlocked and outside any lock period after a new registration or transfer.
For most small sites, pointing is simpler. Transfer only when you want billing for the domain and hosting in one place.
Why your own domain matters for email
A domain also gives you a professional address such as orders@yourshop.in. Customers trust it more than a free webmail address, and if you ever switch email providers you keep the same address. Premium includes 2 mailboxes per website and Unlimited includes unlimited mailboxes, both for the first year, according to Hostinger's India pricing page on 2 Nov 2026.
Quick checklist before you claim
- Is the name short, easy to spell and free of other brands' trademarks?
- Have you checked the renewal price for that extension?
- Will the registrant details be in your own name and email?
- Is auto-renew on, or is a reminder set?
- Do you know the refund rules if you change your mind about the hosting plan?
Frequently asked questions
Is a free domain really free forever?
Almost never. Domains included with hosting are usually free for the first year only, then renew at the normal yearly price. Be cautious of anyone promising a lifetime free .com or .in.
Which Hostinger plans include a free domain?
On the India pricing page on 2 Nov 2026, Premium, Unlimited and Cloud Startup listed a domain free for 1 year, and Single also listed a free domain. Hostinger's FAQ says you activate it from the dashboard with the Claim domain button.
Can I get a refund on the free domain?
Generally no. Hostinger's refund policy says free domains from special deals are non-refundable, and the domain's standard price may be deducted if you refund the hosting plan. You keep the domain for its billing period.
Who owns a domain I get free with hosting?
You do, as the registrant, as long as it is registered with your details. Check the contact details after registration and keep your login and email address up to date.
Can I connect a free domain to a different host later?
Yes. A domain is separate from hosting. You can point it to another host by changing DNS settings, or transfer it to another registrar after any lock period ends.
Is a .in or .com domain better for an Indian business?
Both work. .in signals an Indian business and is often available when the .com is taken. .com is the most familiar internationally. Pick the one that is short and easy to remember.