Does GoDaddy Give Free Domains? Here's the Real Deal
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See the real long-term costs of GoDaddy's 'free' domain versus other providers. Avoid the renewal trap.
How This Works
The calculator shows total costs after first year when you buy hosting. GoDaddy includes domain for first year but charges high renewal fees. Other providers often have lower renewal costs.
If you're starting a website, the first thing you probably want is a free domain. After all, why pay for something that should be part of the deal? You've seen the ads: "Get your website up and running for just $1!" - and yes, that includes a free domain. But here's the truth: GoDaddy doesn't give you a free domain forever. Not even close.
What "Free Domain" Actually Means at GoDaddy
When GoDaddy says "free domain," they mean one thing: a free domain for the first year - and only if you buy an annual hosting plan. That’s it. No hidden tricks, but also no hidden catches. You’re not getting a gift. You’re paying for hosting, and the domain is bundled in like a free coffee with your breakfast sandwich.
For example, if you sign up for their Economy Web Hosting plan at $3.99/month (promotional rate), you’ll get a free .com domain for 12 months. After that? You’ll pay the regular renewal price - which is usually $17.99 or more. That’s not free. That’s a price hike.
And here’s the kicker: you have to renew your hosting plan to keep the domain. Cancel your hosting? You lose the domain. GoDaddy doesn’t let you keep it for free. They own the registration until you pay.
Why GoDaddy Does This
GoDaddy isn’t giving away domains to be nice. They’re making money on hosting. Domains cost them about $10 a year wholesale. They sell you one for $17.99. If you sign up for a two-year hosting plan, they lock you in. They know most people won’t bother switching after the first year - especially if their site is live. So they get you hooked on hosting, then charge you for the domain later.
It’s not dishonest. It’s just business. But if you’re new to building websites, you might walk away thinking you got a free domain. You didn’t. You got a discount - for one year.
What Domains Are Actually Free?
Not all domains cost money. But the ones that are truly free come with trade-offs.
- .tk, .ml, .ga - These are free domains from Freenom. No credit card needed. But they’re not trusted by search engines. Google treats them like spammy sites. Your SEO will suffer. And Freenom can take the domain back anytime.
- Subdomains - Platforms like WordPress.com or Wix give you a free subdomain like yoursite.wordpress.com. You don’t own it. You can’t move it. And it looks unprofessional for business.
- Free trials with domain credits - Some hosts like Namecheap or Hostinger give you a free domain for the first year too. But again - it’s tied to hosting. Same deal.
There’s no such thing as a truly free, professional, permanent domain. Not unless you’re willing to sacrifice credibility, control, or reliability.
What You Should Do Instead
Here’s the smarter way to start:
- Buy a domain separately from a registrar like Namecheap or Porkbun. You’ll pay $5-$8 for the first year. No hosting required.
- Then buy hosting from GoDaddy, SiteGround, or Cloudways. Compare prices. You’ll often find better deals than GoDaddy’s bundled plan.
- Point your domain to your host. It takes 5 minutes. You control everything.
This way, you own your domain. You can move hosts anytime. You won’t get surprised by a $20 renewal bill after 12 months. You know exactly what you’re paying for.
Most people who start with GoDaddy’s "free" domain end up paying more over time. Why? Because they don’t realize they’re locked in. They think the domain is free forever. It’s not.
GoDaddy vs. Other Hosts: Free Domain Comparison
| Host | Free Domain? | Duration | Hosting Plan Required | Renewal Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoDaddy | Yes | 1 year | Economy or higher | $17.99+/year |
| Namecheap | Yes | 1 year | Stellar or higher | $8.88/year |
| Hostinger | Yes | 1 year | Single or higher | $9.99/year |
| SiteGround | Yes | 1 year | StartUp or higher | $12.99/year |
| Cloudways | No | N/A | N/A | Buy separately |
Notice something? GoDaddy’s renewal price is the highest. Namecheap and Hostinger offer better long-term value. And if you’re okay paying $8 for your domain upfront, you save hundreds over five years.
When Is GoDaddy’s Free Domain Worth It?
Only if:
- You’re testing a quick idea and don’t care about long-term branding
- You’re on a tight budget and can’t afford to pay for hosting and domain separately
- You plan to upgrade to a better plan within 12 months anyway
If you’re building a business, blog, or brand you care about - skip it. Pay for your domain upfront. It’s cheaper in the long run, and you’ll sleep better knowing you own it.
How to Avoid the Renewal Trap
GoDaddy will email you 60 days before your domain expires. Then again at 30 days. Then 7 days. Then they’ll start charging you late fees. And if you miss it? Your domain goes into redemption mode - and costs $80+ to get back.
Here’s what to do:
- Set a calendar reminder for 90 days before renewal
- Turn on auto-renewal only if you’re 100% sure you’ll keep hosting
- Check your domain’s expiration date in your GoDaddy dashboard - it’s under "My Products"
- Consider transferring your domain to Namecheap or Porkbun after year one. It’s easy, and cheaper.
Most people forget. That’s how GoDaddy makes money.
Final Verdict
Does GoDaddy give free domains? Technically, yes - for one year. But it’s not free. It’s a bait-and-switch with a shiny wrapper. You’re paying for hosting. The domain is just the hook.
If you want a real, permanent, affordable domain - buy it on its own. You’ll save money. You’ll keep control. And you won’t wake up one day to find your website gone because you forgot to renew.
Start smart. Own your name. Don’t let a company trick you into thinking you got something for nothing.
Is GoDaddy's free domain really free?
No. GoDaddy’s "free domain" is only free for the first year, and only if you buy an annual hosting plan. After that, you pay the regular renewal price - usually $17.99 or more per year. You’re not getting a gift; you’re paying for hosting, and the domain is bundled in.
Can I keep my GoDaddy domain after my hosting expires?
No. If you cancel your hosting plan, GoDaddy will not let you keep the domain for free. You must renew your hosting to keep the domain. If you want to keep it after your hosting ends, you’ll need to transfer it to another registrar and pay the renewal fee directly.
Are there truly free domains available?
Yes, but they’re not recommended. Services like Freenom offer free domains like .tk or .ml, but these are not trusted by Google, can be taken away at any time, and hurt your site’s credibility. Subdomains like yoursite.wordpress.com are free too, but you don’t own them. For any serious website, pay for your own domain.
What’s the cheapest place to buy a domain?
Namecheap and Porkbun offer the best long-term prices for .com domains, often under $9/year after the first year. GoDaddy’s renewal prices are among the highest. Even if you get a free domain with GoDaddy, plan to move it after year one to save money.
Should I buy my domain and hosting from the same company?
It’s convenient, but not always smart. Buying them separately gives you more control. If your host has issues, you can switch without losing your domain. Many experts recommend buying your domain from Namecheap or Porkbun and hosting from SiteGround or Cloudways. It’s safer and often cheaper.
What to Do Next
Don’t rush into GoDaddy’s "free" offer. Take 10 minutes and check:
- What’s the real renewal price for a .com domain at GoDaddy? (Hint: it’s $17.99)
- What’s the price at Namecheap? (It’s $8.88)
- Can you afford to pay $8 now instead of $18 later?
If you’re serious about your website, invest in your domain from day one. It’s not an expense. It’s your brand. And brands don’t come free.