Netlify
Netlify Inc. · 🌐 Static Hosting
Netlify is a web developer platform that multiplies productivity by unifying the elements of the modern decoupled web.
Free-tier constraints
- Offer type
- Perpetual
- When idle
- Stays active
- Credit card
- Not required
- Commercial use
- Unknown
- At the limit
- Service suspends
- Data expiry
- Not published
Free-tier compatibility
- ✓Static hosting
- ✓Serverless
- —Long-running processes
- —Docker
- —WebSockets
- ✓Cron
- ✓Background workers
- —Persistent disk
- ✓Custom domains
Overview
Netlify pioneered the JAMstack workflow: connect a Git repository, Netlify builds it, and the result is served from a global CDN. Beyond static hosting it bundles serverless Functions, form handling, identity and auth, split testing and edge functions — so a lot of traditional back-end work is covered without running a server.
The free Starter plan now centers on a monthly credit allowance rather than separate legacy bandwidth and build-minute buckets. Deploy previews, production deploys, forms and serverless features remain part of the workflow, but heavy builds or dynamic usage can consume the free credits quickly.
It is a strong choice for static sites and front-end frameworks (React, Vue, Gatsby, Hugo, Eleventy) where you also want forms, light auth or serverless endpoints without standing up extra infrastructure. Free-tier limits change over time — confirm them on the provider’s site.
Sources and verification
Checked 2026-08-18Pros
- ✓Generous all-in-one free tier with functions, forms and identity
- ✓Mature build pipeline with deploy previews and instant rollbacks
- ✓Built-in form handling needs no back end
- ✓Large plugin and integration ecosystem
- ✓Framework-agnostic
Cons
- ✕Monthly credits can be limiting for frequent deploys or dynamic usage
- ✕Usage over included credits requires a paid plan or add-ons
- ✕Serverless functions have execution limits
- ✕Less Next.js-optimized than Vercel
Best for
- →JAMstack and static front ends (React, Vue, Gatsby, Hugo)
- →Sites that need forms or light serverless without a back end
- →Teams that want preview deploys and one-click rollbacks
Compare with
Getting started
- 1 Connect your Git repository to Netlify
- 2 Set the build command and publish directory
- 3 Deploy — each pull request gets its own deploy preview
- 4 Optionally add a netlify/functions folder for serverless endpoints
- 5 Optionally enable forms by adding the netlify attribute to a form tag
Related guides
Features
- ✓Continuous Deployment
- ✓Serverless Functions
- ✓Forms Handling
- ✓Identity Management
- ✓Split Testing
- ✓Analytics
Frameworks
FAQ
Build time consumes Netlify credits along with other metered usage. The free plan includes 300 credits per month, so large or frequent builds consume the allowance faster.
Yes. Add the netlify attribute to a form and submissions show up in your dashboard, within the free submission limit.
Yes — Netlify Functions (AWS Lambda under the hood) plus Edge Functions, within the free invocation allowance.
Deploy these projects to Netlify
Open-source projects and templates that run on Netlify's free tier.