Free Webspace with FTP Access: Providers Compared

Free web space with FTP access offers private users an excellent opportunity to quickly and cost-effectively present their own content on the internet. Many providers lure with free offers, but the differences in terms of features, scope, and server location are often significant. This article introduces the best options for free web space with FTP access and highlights what to consider when making a choice.

What Does Free Web Space with FTP Access Mean?

Web space refers to the storage space on a server that allows users to publish digital content such as websites, images, or data on the internet. This storage space is provided by a web hosting provider, and there are no costs for the user with free web space. Typically, free web space - similar to free web space with a domain - is used for smaller projects such as personal websites or blogs, as storage capacity and functionality are significantly limited compared to paid offerings.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standardised network protocol that enables data transfer between a local computer and a server over the Internet. With an FTP access, users can efficiently upload or download files to or from the server using an FTP software (client). This is particularly useful for managing website content such as HTML files, images, or stylesheets easily. In contrast to web-based file managers or modern homepage builders, the FTP protocol provides direct and flexible access to the server, allowing for quick and easy handling of large amounts of data.

Free web space with FTP access, therefore, offers a cost-effective and practical solution for publishing your own content on the Internet and managing it via FTP.

The 8 Best Free Hosts for Free Web Space with FTP Access

Here we have compiled a list of the 8 best providers of free FTP web space for you:

lima-city Freespace

The German web hosting provider lima-city is one of the most established providers of free web hosting with over 15 years of experience. The free web space is particularly suitable for private or personal projects, as well as for learning and experimenting. With 10 GB of storage, unlimited traffic, and ad-free hosting, lima-city provides a solid foundation for beginners and hobby webmasters. Also attractive are the integrated WordPress tools, allowing easy management of plugins, themes, and updates. In addition, there is a 1-click installer for software applications, free SSL certificates, and an API for web hosting management available.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-click installer for CMS
• 10 GB storage space
• ad-free
• free subdomain

(Screenshot www.lima-city.de/webhosting/free-web-space)

AwardSpace Free Hosting

AwardSpace offers a solid solution for website owners looking for a free option with the Free Hosting plan. With 1 GB storage space and a 1-click installer for popular Content Management Systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Grav, the offer is particularly suitable for smaller projects and beginners. Additionally, a website builder is provided. The ad-free Free Hosting allows you to run a professional website without any distracting ads. Users receive a free subdomain, have access to 24/7 customer support, and benefit from automatic weekly backups.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-click installer for CMS
• 1GB storage space
• ad-free
• free subdomain

(Screenshot www.awardspace.com/free-hosting/)

x10Hosting x10 Basic

Web hoster x10Hosting offers the x10 Basic plan, a free cloud hosting solution with 500 MB storage space, ideal for small websites and simple projects. With support for PHP and MySQL, this plan provides enough flexibility for dynamic web applications. Users also benefit from a 1-click installer that supports easy installation of Content Management Systems like WordPress. Additionally, a user-friendly website builder makes website creation easy even without programming knowledge. This combination makes x10 Basic an attractive choice for beginners and hobby webmasters.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-click installer for CMS
• 500 MB storage space
• ad-free
• free subdomain

(Screenshot x10hosting.com/)

freehosting.com

The web hosting provider freehosting.com offers 10 GB of storage space and unlimited traffic with its free hosting package. The plan supports both PHP and MySQL and provides a 1-click installer for popular content management systems like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal. Additionally, an integrated site builder allows for easy and quick website creation. A significant difference from other free hosting providers is that freehosting.com does not provide its own domains or subdomains. Users must therefore register their own domain at a cost in order to use the web space.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-click installer for CMS
• 10 GB of storage space
• Ad-free
• No domain or subdomain provided

(Screenshot www.freehosting.com/)

freehostia.com

The provider Freehostia.com offers 250 MB of storage space and 6 GB of monthly traffic with its free hosting plan, which is sufficient for small to medium website projects. The plan supports PHP and MySQL, enabling dynamic websites and web applications. Popular content management systems can be easily set up on the web space using the 1-click installer. Like some other free providers, Freehostia does not provide a domain or subdomain. Users must therefore register their own domain to use the web space.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-click installer for CMS
• 250 MB of storage space
• Ad-free
• No domain or subdomain provided

(Screenshot www.freehostia.com/)

Bplaced

Bplaced is a German web hosting provider that offers free web space with extensive features. With 1 GB of storage space and unlimited traffic, the offer is particularly attractive for small websites and personal projects. The service supports PHP and MySQL, enabling the use of dynamic websites and content management systems like WordPress. Additionally, there are no ads displayed on the hosted websites. A major advantage is the ability to use custom domains, while a free subdomain is provided. For users looking for a flexible and ad-free hosting solution, bplaced is an interesting option.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-Click installer for CMS
• 1 GB storage space
• Ad-free
• Free subdomain

(Screenshot www.bplaced.net/)

web4free.eu

web4free.eu is a provider from France offering free web space with 512 MB storage space. The service is particularly suitable for small websites and private projects. web4free.eu supports PHP and MySQL, enabling the creation of dynamic websites. Additionally, email accounts can be managed and statistics on web space usage can be viewed.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 512 MB storage space
• Ad-free
• Free subdomain

(Screenshot www.web4free.eu/)

InfinityFree

InfinityFree is a provider of free web hosting from the UK, boasting a generous 5 GB storage space and unlimited traffic, making it particularly attractive for users with larger projects. The service supports PHP and MySQL and also offers a 1-click installer for easy installation of content management systems like WordPress. In addition to providing a free subdomain, users can also use their own domains. With user-friendly management and stable performance, InfinityFree is a flexible and powerful solution for beginners and advanced users.

• Web space with FTP access
• PHP & MySQL support
• 1-Click installer for CMS
• 5 GB storage space
• Ad-free
• Free subdomain

(Screenshot www.infinityfree.com/)

What to consider when choosing free web space with FTP access?

When choosing a provider for free web space with FTP access, there are various criteria that should be carefully considered to ensure that the chosen service meets individual requirements.

Storage Space

The available storage space is a key criterion when choosing a web hosting provider. Depending on the size of the project, the need for storage can vary significantly. Many free providers offer only limited storage space, often in the range of 100 MB to 1 GB. It is important to consider the future storage requirements, as free web hosting with FTP access often cannot be easily expanded without upgrading to a paid plan:

• Small projects such as personal blogs or simple informational sites often require only a few megabytes.
• Larger projects such as photo galleries or media portfolios, on the other hand, can quickly consume several gigabytes.

FTP Access and Features

FTP access is essential for file transfer between a local computer and server, so the following aspects should be considered:

• Type of access: Does the provider support only unencrypted FTP protocol or also secure options like SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), which provide additional security?
• User-friendliness: How easy is it to set up FTP access? Some providers offer user-friendly interfaces or guides, which are especially beneficial for beginners.
• Number of FTP accounts: Some providers only allow for a single FTP account, which is usually sufficient for personal use. However, if working in a team, multiple accounts are advisable.

Support for Technologies and Scripting Languages

For users looking to create more than just static websites, support for scripting languages and databases is a crucial factor:

• PHP Support: Many dynamic websites and CMS (Content Management Systems) like WordPress require PHP. Not all free web hosting providers support this, so it is important to check if PHP is available and in which version.
• Database Support: Dynamic websites often require databases like MySQL. Free offerings are often limited in this regard, either providing no database services or only limited ones. Therefore, you should specifically look for free web hosting with PHP & MySQL database.
• SSL Encryption: For secure data transmission, an SSL certificate is essential. This is often not automatically included with free providers, so it should be checked if SSL support is available and if there are any additional costs.

Advertising and Additional Services

Many free web hosting offerings finance their services through advertisements displayed on the hosted websites. This can be disruptive for professional websites:

• Advertising: It should be checked if the provider places advertisements on the website and how they are integrated (e.g. banner ads or pop-ups). Some providers allow these ads to be disabled for a small fee.
• Additional Services: Sometimes free providers offer valuable additional services such as integrated email hosting, simple website builders, or analytics tools. These can be particularly useful for beginners.

Load Times and Availability

The performance of a web host, including load times and server availability, is crucial for the success of a website:

• Load Times: Longer load times can lead to a poor user experience and negatively impact search engine rankings. Free web hosting providers often share their servers among many users, which can affect performance.
• Availability (Uptime): A stable server availability is essential for the website to be accessible around the clock. Some free providers guarantee a certain uptime (e.g. 99%), but this figure should be viewed with caution as free offerings often have less reliable server structures.

Data Backups

The protection of your own data is a crucial aspect. Many free providers do not offer automatic backups:

• Backup options: Some providers at least offer manual backup possibilities, while others prompt the user to regularly create their own backups. However, in the event of a server failure or user error, it is crucial to choose a provider that offers some form of backup service.

User-Friendliness and Support

Free web hosting providers are often geared towards the mass market, which is why user interface and customer support play an important role:

• Ease of use: For beginners, an intuitive user interface is of great advantage. Providers that offer website builders or easily understandable control panels (e.g. cPanel) make getting started much easier.
• Support: Technical support is often limited or non-existent with free services. Therefore, it is important to clarify in advance what type of support is offered (e.g. FAQs, community forums, email support).

Scalability and Upgrade Options

Even though free web hosting with FTP access may be sufficient for getting started, it may be the case that the project grows and requires more resources:

• Upgrade options: Does the provider offer simple upgrade options to paid plans that provide more storage, better performance, or additional features? It makes sense to prefer providers that offer flexible and affordable upgrade options without the need to migrate data.

Security Aspects

When using free web hosting with FTP access, security should not be neglected:

• Protection against malware and attacks: Some providers offer basic protection against malware or DDoS attacks. Since free web spaces are often a target for hackers, it is important to check whether the provider implements security measures such as firewalls or regular security scans.
• Data privacy: Especially with providers from abroad, attention should be paid to data protection regulations. Providers within the EU are subject to GDPR, which guarantees a higher level of data protection.

Choosing a provider for free web space with FTP access should be based on a careful analysis of your own needs. Storage space, FTP functions, support for scripting languages, loading times, security aspects, and additional services all play a crucial role. It is worth comparing providers to find the best compromise between functionality, user-friendliness, and performance, without compromising on reliability or security.

Tip: Many web hosting providers also allow you to test web hosting for free before committing to a paid contract.

As an alternative to free hosting with FTP access, affordable shared hosting packages are suitable, providing significantly more features, support, and performance for a small cost. These packages typically offer their own domains, more storage space and bandwidth, as well as better technical support, making them the more sensible choice for more ambitious projects.

Our article is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from external sources.

Sources & further links on the topic:

Image credit:
Steve Buissinne on Pixabay