Discover how GitHub Pages offers completely free web hosting with custom domain support. Learn the real costs, setup process, limitations, and why this might be the perfect solution for your next project.
In an era where monthly hosting bills can drain your budget faster than you can say "uptime," GitHub Pages stands out as something rare in the digital world: genuinely free web hosting that doesn't compromise on quality. But here's what makes it even more remarkable - you can use your own custom domain without paying a single rupee or dollar to GitHub. Yes, you read that correctly.
I've been hosting websites on GitHub Pages since 2018, and in 2026, it remains one of the most misunderstood yet powerful tools for developers and businesses alike. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about GitHub Pages pricing, custom domain setup, and whether it's the right choice for your project.
GitHub Pages is a static site hosting service that takes HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files directly from a repository on GitHub and publishes them as a website. Think of it as a lightning-fast web server that costs nothing to run, handles millions of requests without breaking a sweat, and comes with enterprise-level infrastructure behind it.
Let's address the elephant in the room first. GitHub Pages itself is completely free. There are no hidden charges, no premium tiers, and no surprise bills at the end of the month. Whether you're hosting one website or multiple projects, GitHub doesn't charge you a penny for the hosting service itself.
| Item | GitHub Pages | Traditional Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | $0/month | $3-10/month |
| SSL Certificate | Free (Auto-renewing) | $0-50/year |
| CDN | Included | $5-20/month |
| Domain Name | $8-15/year | $8-15/year |
| Total Annual Cost | $8-15 | $96-360 |
Connecting a custom domain to GitHub Pages might sound technical, but it's surprisingly straightforward. Follow this visual guide:
Go to your domain registrar's DNS settings and add these A records:
For a subdomain (like blog.yoursite.com), use a CNAME record instead:
DNS changes take 15 minutes to 48 hours to propagate. Check status at:
Your site loads in <1s worldwide with edge caching across 200+ locations
Free SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt, auto-renewed before expiry
Push code to GitHub, site updates in seconds with zero configuration
Every change tracked with Git, instant rollback to any previous version
Here's a quick example to get your site live in under 5 minutes:
GitHub Pages is remarkably capable, but understanding its limitations helps you make informed decisions:
| Limitation | Limit | Workaround |
|---|---|---|
| Repository Size | 1GB (recommended) | Use external CDN for large media files |
| Bandwidth | 100GB/month | ~500K-1M monthly visitors supported |
| Build Time | 10 minutes max | Use GitHub Actions for complex builds |
| File Size | 100MB per file | Host large files on external storage |
| Server-Side Code | Not supported | Use serverless functions (Netlify/Vercel) |
Power users combine static hosting with modern tools:
Use Formspree, Netlify Forms, or Google Forms for contact forms without backend code.
formspree.io
Implement full-text search using Lunr.js or Algolia with pre-generated search indexes.
lunrjs.com
Connect to Firebase, AWS Lambda, or Netlify Functions for dynamic functionality.
firebase.google.com
Problem: Using CNAME for apex domain or A record for subdomain
Solution:
Always enable "Enforce HTTPS" in repository settings after domain propagation. This:
In the technology world, truly free services are rare. GitHub Pages stands as a genuine exception - a powerful, reliable hosting platform that costs nothing to use and doesn't compromise on quality. The ability to use custom domains without additional charges makes it even more remarkable.
Your only cost is the domain name itself, which you'd pay regardless of where you host. Everything else - the hosting, SSL certificate, bandwidth, CDN, and infrastructure - is provided free of charge. For static websites, this combination is nearly impossible to beat.
Whether you're launching your first portfolio, creating documentation for your project, or building a business landing page, GitHub Pages deserves serious consideration. It's proven, reliable, and backed by Microsoft's resources. The limitations are real but manageable, and for many projects, it's simply the best choice available.
Founder & CEO
Founder & CEO at Devian, hosting websites on GitHub Pages since 2018 and helping businesses leverage free hosting solutions effectively.
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