How to Get a Free Domain from Hostinger in 2026
Hostinger includes a free domain for the first year with Premium, Business, and Cloud hosting plans. You can choose from .com, .net, .org, and select other TLDs. After year one the domain renews at standard rates, but the initial savings of $10-15 makes it an excellent deal.
Which Hostinger Plans Include a Free Domain?
Three Hostinger hosting tiers include a free domain for the first year:
- Premium Shared Hosting ($2.99/mo): Free .com, .net, .org, or select TLDs
- Business Shared Hosting ($3.99/mo): Same free domain options plus priority support
- Cloud Startup ($7.99/mo): Free domain plus dedicated cloud resources
The Single plan ($1.99/mo) does not include a free domain. If you're choosing between Single and Premium primarily for the domain, the math works out — the cost difference over 12 months is roughly the same as buying a domain separately.
How to Claim Your Free Domain
During the hosting checkout process, Hostinger will prompt you to register or transfer a domain. Select 'Claim a free domain' and search for your desired name. The system automatically applies the credit — no coupon code needed.
If you already own a domain, you can skip the free domain offer and apply it later within 30 days of purchase. This is useful if you need time to decide on a domain name.
What Happens After the First Year?
After the free first year, your domain renews at standard Hostinger rates (e.g., .com at $15.99/year). Auto-renewal is enabled by default to prevent accidental expiration. You can disable it from hPanel, but be careful — if a domain expires and enters redemption, recovery costs $80+.
The renewal rate is competitive with other registrars, so there's no strong reason to transfer the domain elsewhere after the free year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hostinger free domain really free?
Yes, for the first year. There are no hidden fees or charges. The domain is included in the hosting plan price. After year one, it renews at standard rates like any domain registration.
Can I get a free .io or .ai domain from Hostinger?
No. The free domain offer covers popular TLDs like .com, .net, .org, and select others. Premium TLDs like .io and .ai are not included in the free domain promotion.
What if I don't want a free domain right now?
You have 30 days after purchasing a hosting plan to claim your free domain. After that window, the offer expires. If you're undecided, claim it early with a placeholder name you can always point elsewhere.
Can I transfer my free domain away from Hostinger?
Yes, after 60 days (ICANN rule). You can transfer the domain to any registrar. However, staying with Hostinger simplifies DNS and hosting management in one dashboard.
Does the free domain include WHOIS privacy?
Yes. All Hostinger domains — free or paid — include WHOIS privacy protection at no extra cost. Your personal information stays hidden from the public WHOIS database.
Claim Your Free Domain — Hosting from $2.99/mo
Premium hosting includes a free .com domain for the first year. No code needed.
Register Your DomainHenry Fontaine
Chief of Staff & COO, RocketLabs
AI-native operator building the future of search visibility. Part of the team behind 3 tech exits and 400+ programmatic SEO deployments.