Hostinger includes a free domain name for the first year on eligible hosting plans — saving you ₹600–900 or $10–15 on domain registration. But the fine print matters. Not every plan qualifies, not every extension is free, and the conditions are specific. This guide covers everything.
Which Hostinger Plans Include a Free Domain? (2026)
| Plan | Free Domain? | Minimum Billing Cycle | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Shared | ❌ No | — | Cheapest plan but does NOT include free domain |
| Premium Shared | ✅ Yes | 12 months minimum | Most popular plan for new sites |
| Business Shared | ✅ Yes | 12 months minimum | NVMe + daily backups + free domain |
| Cloud Startup | ✅ Yes | 12 months minimum | Dedicated resources + free domain |
| WordPress Starter | ❌ No | — | Entry WordPress plan does NOT include free domain |
| WordPress Business | ✅ Yes | 12 months minimum | Managed WP + free domain |
| WordPress Cloud Startup | ✅ Yes | 12 months minimum | High-performance WP + free domain |
⚠️ Two plans often confused: The Single Shared and WordPress Starter plans do NOT include a free domain. This catches many buyers off guard. If a free domain matters to you, make sure you choose at least the Premium or Business plan.
Which Domain Extensions Are Free With Hostinger?
| Extension | Free? | Year 1 Value | Renewal Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com | ✅ Free year 1 | ₹600–800 | ₹289–449/year | All websites globally |
| .in | ✅ Free year 1 (hostinger.in) | ₹699 | ₹699/year | India-targeted websites |
| .net | ✅ Free year 1 | ~₹600 | Similar to .com | Tech or network sites |
| .org | ✅ Free year 1 | ~₹600 | Similar to .com | Non-profits, communities |
| .online | ✅ Free year 1 (check current offer) | ₹69–149 | Higher after Year 1 | Budget option |
| .ai | ❌ Not free | N/A | $80–120/year | AI startups — must purchase |
| .io | ❌ Not free | N/A | $30–50/year | Tech startups — must purchase |
| .tech | ❌ Not free | N/A | $30–50/year | Must purchase separately |
| .co.in | ❌ Not free | N/A | Varies | Country sub-extensions excluded |
💡 Indian user tip: For an India-focused website, choose the .in domain over .com — it signals local relevance to Indian visitors and can help with geo-targeted Google rankings. Both are free in Year 1 on eligible plans.
How To Claim Your Free Hostinger Domain — Step By Step
- Click our link to visit Hostinger India
- Choose an eligible plan — Premium Shared, Business Shared, Cloud Startup, or WordPress Business
- Select 12-month or longer billing (required to unlock the free domain)
- At checkout, you will see a domain search box — type your desired name and check availability
- Select your domain and extension — the first-year price will show as ₹0 or discounted on eligible plans
- Optionally apply coupon code WPBLOGGING101 for an extra 10% OFF your hosting price (the domain stays free)
- Enter your GSTIN if you have one for a GST-compliant invoice
- Complete payment — both hosting and domain activate instantly
💡 You can also claim your free domain after purchase from hPanel. Go to Domains → Claim Free Domain — this is useful if you want to decide on your domain name after setting up hosting.
Real Costs Over 4 Years — Free Domain vs Total Spend
Here is the honest 4-year total cost of the Premium plan including free domain in Year 1 vs buying a domain separately — on a 48-month term, paying in INR:
| Cost Item | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | 4-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting (48-month intro price) | ₹1,608 (total upfront) | Included | Included | Included | ₹1,608 |
| Hosting renewal (Year 5 onwards) | — | — | — | — | Not yet due |
| .com domain — Year 1 (free) | ₹0 | — | — | — | ₹0 |
| .com domain renewal Years 2–4 | — | ₹350 | ₹350 | ₹350 | ₹1,050 |
| Total with free domain | — | — | — | — | ~₹2,658 |
| If no free domain (buying separately) | ₹600 | ₹350 | ₹350 | ₹350 | ~₹3,258 |
| Saving from free domain offer | — | — | — | — | ₹600 saved |
Bottom line: The free domain saves you approximately ₹600 in Year 1, which is the real value of the offer. It is a genuine saving — not a gimmick. But always factor in domain renewal costs from Year 2 onwards.
What Happens to My Free Domain If I Cancel Hostinger?
This is a critical question most review sites skip:
- If you cancel within 30 days (refund period): The cost of domain registration is typically deducted from your refund. You keep the domain but pay its registration cost. Domain refunds are excluded from the 30-day money-back guarantee.
- If you cancel after 30 days: Your domain remains registered in your name. You can transfer it to any other registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar, etc.) after the 60-day ICANN transfer lock expires.
- If your hosting expires but your domain is registered separately (not through Hostinger): Your domain is unaffected — it only expires on its own renewal date regardless of hosting status.
Should You Get Your Domain With Hostinger or Separately?
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundle with Hostinger hosting (free domain) | Free Year 1, single dashboard, easy DNS management, everything in one place | Domain renewal rates may be slightly higher than specialist registrars | New site owners, beginners, convenience seekers |
| Get domain separately (Cloudflare Registrar, Namecheap) | Often cheaper domain renewal long-term, more control, domain stays if you switch hosts | Extra cost Year 1, separate dashboard management, manual DNS pointing needed | Experienced users, long-term cost optimisers |
| Domain-only at Hostinger with BPDOMAIN code | Up to 94% off, .in from ₹1 first year | No hosting bundle, no free-domain eligibility | Buying domain only, not hosting yet |
Recommendation: For new website owners, bundling the free domain with Hostinger hosting is the most convenient and cost-effective starting point. For experienced users managing multiple domains, consider Cloudflare Registrar (at-cost pricing, no markup) for renewals while hosting stays at Hostinger.
FAQs — Hostinger Free Domain 2026
Does Hostinger give a free domain with all plans?
No. Free domain is included with Premium Shared, Business Shared, Cloud Startup, WordPress Business, and WordPress Cloud Startup plans on a 12-month or longer billing cycle. The Single Shared and WordPress Starter plans do NOT include a free domain.
Is the Hostinger free domain really free?
Yes — for the first year. After Year 1, standard domain renewal charges apply. A .com renews at approximately ₹289–449/year from Year 2 onward. Always budget for this renewal cost before signing up.
Can I use WPBLOGGING101 and still get the free domain?
Yes. The coupon code applies to your hosting price. The free domain is a separate bundle benefit that comes with eligible plans. Both benefits work together at checkout.
Does Hostinger offer a free .in domain for Indian users?
Yes. On eligible plans via hostinger.in, a free .in domain is included for the first year. Availability may vary by promotion period. The .in domain renews at approximately ₹699/year from Year 2.
Can I transfer my Hostinger free domain to another registrar?
Yes. After the 60-day ICANN transfer lock period expires, you can transfer your domain to any registrar — Cloudflare Registrar, Namecheap, GoDaddy, or others. This is useful if you find cheaper renewal rates elsewhere. Your hosting continues normally; the domain transfer only moves the registration.