asked on

Free PHP/MySQL web hosting

Hi fellow Experts. My absolute minimum requirements are only PHP/MySQL compatibility and FTP to upload files. Recently, maybe a week ago, I started using 000webhost to host my website. Seems ok for the money LOL, but is frequently slow, especially w/ FTP. It many times takes 1 minute or more for it to connect/upload a small HTML or PHP file. And that's even after uploading the same and / or different file within the previous 60 seconds.

I realize that I get what I pay for, and I'm quite satisfied so far with this service (other than the slowness). What I'm asking is what do you personally use for your free PHP/MySQL hosting? Please, no googled links, only real-world experience. 000webhost has no ads, but I'm not adverse to ads if I can get a speedier free web host.

Ted

TedInAK

ASKER

Forgot to mention as well, any extras are icing on the cake, e.g., SSH, .htaccess (preferred but not critical).

madunix

actually am in the process to select some free hosting services such as
http://www.brinkster.com/FreePkgLanding.aspx
http://www.phpnet.us/
http://freehostia.com/
sorry, till now am reading more about the services of each one....

TedInAK

ASKER

Thank you for the response, madunix. I plan on leaving this Q open for at least 48 hours, so please keep me posted of any positives/negatives of any of the different hosts that you hear about, encounter, etc.

madunix

additionally i would recommend you to read other comments about hosting issues in
http://www.webtalkforums.com/
http://www.webhostingtalk.com/
register yourself in the above forums and read what other said before you select any hosting company

madunix

TedInAK

ASKER

Thanks for the additional links. I will definitely take a look. And to make a point clear that I didn't make earlier, this is not "mission critical". I already am using a semi-satisfying host. Eventually, I'll spring for a true, paid solution like godaddy (whom I've used before and was fully satisified) or some other hosting company (at which time I will ask another Question and award points accordingly). But in the interim, I just want a free, fast webhost. That might be an unrealizable goal, but since the first 10 "solutions" here at EE were between 2 to 7 years old, I thought it would be worthwhile to see if there were any current opinions out there.

leakim971

Hello TedInAK,

You can use a old PC and do a port address translation on your router (port 80) and use a service like www.dyndns.org if you don't have a static IP.
1 - Old PC
2 - PAT port 80
3 - DynDNS

Regards.

Ray Paseur

Hi, TedInAK, Vee_Mod asked me to comment. Sorry I cannot be much help here because I do not use any free hosting. I use and am pleased to recommend ChiHost.com. I have had good experiences with HostGator. I have had bad experiences with SiteGround and GoDaddy. But I have never had a free experience. That said, the cost for a ChiHost account is literally pennies per day (IIRC $120 / year gets a pretty good hosting plan).

If I hear anything I will post again. Good luck in your search, and best wishes for the New Year, ~Ray

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

leakim971

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Steve Bink

I prefer leamim971's solution. It is very easy to run a web server yourself. The only potential issue is your personal ISP's policy regarding running services on your account. Still, I've never had my ISP to shut down any of my services.

TedInAK

ASKER

While this wasn't the answer I was originally looking for, it is nonetheless a great answer. It hadn't even occurred to me to set up my own server. I believe that is the route I will take. Thanks, leakim971!

TedInAK

ASKER

Ray, thank you for your input. Will keep in mind when ready for a paid solution.

TedInAK

ASKER

Thanks madunix and routinet. Happy New Year to all.

leakim971

Thanks a lot for the points! Have a lot of fun!

leakim971

Thank you for your comment routinet. See you soon!