If you previously used a free .tk or .ml domain, finding a dependable replacement can be challenging. For years, Freenom made it possible to register domain names using extensions such as .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq without paying a standard registration fee. That situation has changed, and many older guides no longer reflect the available options.

The good news is that you can still publish a website without paying for a traditional domain name. You can use free subdomains, apply for community-managed domain options, or choose a low-cost domain registration plan.

The right option depends on your project. A free subdomain may be enough for a portfolio or test website, while a business website usually benefits from a domain that you can register and renew under your own account.

In this guide, we compare alternatives to .tk and .ml, explain their limitations, and help you choose an option for your website.

Key Takeaways

• Freenom’s old free-domain model is no longer a dependable way to register a new .tk or .ml domain.
• Free subdomains are often the easiest option for personal projects, portfolios, and development testing.
• Services such as EU.org and developer-focused subdomain programs have their own eligibility, approval, and usage requirements.
• A domain advertised as free for the first year may require payment at renewal.
• For a business, online store, or long-term brand, a domain registered in your own account is usually the safer choice.

What Happened to Free .tk and .ml Domains?

Freenom became well known for providing free registrations under .tk, .ml, .ga, .cf, and .gq. These extensions attracted bloggers, students, developers, and people who wanted to launch websites without an initial domain cost.

However, new free registrations became unavailable, and the service’s business changed following legal and operational problems. In July 2026, industry reporting indicated that Freenom had returned to selling some extensions, including .tk, .cf, and .gq, for a fee. The .ml and .ga extensions had also moved to different operators.

This means older tutorials that tell readers to register these extensions for free may no longer work. Always verify the current registrar, registration price, renewal price, and eligibility rules before choosing an extension.

A domain’s availability also does not guarantee that you can register it for free. A name may be reserved, already registered, or offered only at a paid price.

Best Alternatives to Free .tk and .ml Domains

The following options serve different needs. Some provide a free subdomain under an existing domain, while others offer a separate name within a managed namespace. Check the provider’s current terms before applying.

1. EU.org

Best for: Personal websites, technical projects, and non-commercial sites that can tolerate an application process.

EU.org offers free subdomain registrations under the eu.org namespace. For example, an approved name might look like yourproject.eu.org.

You do not receive ownership of the eu.org top-level domain itself. Instead, you request a name within a namespace managed by the service.

Advantages

• No standard annual domain registration fee for an approved name.
• Can be useful for personal and technical projects.
• May allow custom DNS configuration, depending on the service’s current requirements.

Limitations

• Applications may require review and can take time.
• Approval and availability are not guaranteed.
• It is not equivalent to owning a conventional domain such as yourbrand.com.

Visit the EU.org website to review its current application process and rules.

2. GitHub Pages

Best for: Developer portfolios, documentation, and static websites.

GitHub Pages lets eligible repositories publish static websites using a GitHub-provided address, such as username.github.io.

This is a useful option if you are learning web development, building a project portfolio, or hosting documentation. You can begin without purchasing a domain.

Advantages

• Suitable for static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript websites.
• Works with version control and Git-based publishing.
• Supports custom domains when you later register one.

Limitations

• It is designed for static site hosting, not a general-purpose PHP and database hosting environment.
• Your default address remains under GitHub’s domain.
• Usage is subject to GitHub’s current plan and service terms.

Get started with the official GitHub Pages documentation.

3. Cloudflare Pages

Best for: Static websites, frontend projects, and developer experiments.

Cloudflare Pages provides a hosted address under pages.dev for published projects. For example, a project may be available at yourproject.pages.dev.

It can be a convenient alternative if you want to publish a website without purchasing a domain first.

Advantages

• Useful for frontend projects and static websites.
• Provides a platform-managed address.
• Allows you to connect a custom domain if you obtain one later.

Limitations

• A pages.dev address is a subdomain, not a domain you own independently.
• Server-side functionality may require additional services, such as Cloudflare Workers.
• Platform features and usage limits depend on the current plan.

Read the Cloudflare Pages documentation before deployment.

4. Netlify

Best for: Static sites, prototypes, landing pages, and frontend applications.

Netlify can publish a website using a platform-provided netlify.app address. This makes it useful for launching a demonstration site or sharing a project with clients.

Advantages

• Straightforward deployment for supported web projects.
• A hosted subdomain is available without purchasing a separate domain.
• Custom domains can be connected later.

Limitations

• The default address belongs to Netlify’s namespace.
• Some capabilities are subject to plan limits and current usage policies.
• It is not a direct replacement for traditional domain registration.

Visit Netlify’s official documentation for setup instructions.

5. Vercel

Best for: Modern frontend frameworks and web application prototypes.

Vercel assigns deployed projects a platform-provided address under vercel.app. It is commonly used for projects built with supported frontend frameworks.

Advantages

• Convenient for development previews and project demonstrations.
• Supports custom domains.
• Useful for deploying supported web applications without purchasing a domain first.

Limitations

• Your default address remains part of Vercel’s namespace.
• Features and usage allowances depend on your account and plan.
• Commercial use must comply with the current terms.

Visit the Vercel documentation to learn more.

6. Developer-Focused Subdomain Programs

Best for: Open-source developers and technical portfolios.

Some community programs provide names under specialized namespaces. Examples include is-a.dev for developer identities and js.org for JavaScript-related projects.

These programs are not universal domain registrars. They may require a public repository, a qualifying project, configuration checks, or manual approval.

Advantages

• Can create a recognizable address for a technical project.
• May be free for eligible uses.
• Useful for developer portfolios and open-source work.

Limitations

• Eligibility requirements vary.
• Approval is not guaranteed.
• The name depends on the program’s continued operation and policies.

Check the current requirements at is-a.dev and js.org before applying.

7. Low-Cost Paid Domain Extensions

Best for: Businesses, professional portfolios, and websites you intend to maintain long term.

If you need a conventional domain instead of a hosted subdomain, consider comparing lower-cost extensions such as .xyz, .online, .site, or .website.

These are paid domain options, not guaranteed free replacements for .tk or .ml. Some registrars advertise introductory discounts, but renewal fees can be higher.

Before purchasing, compare:

• First-year registration price.
• Renewal price and transfer fees.
• DNS management and nameserver support.
• Privacy protection availability and cost.
• Account security and domain recovery policies.
• Restrictions that apply to the chosen extension.

Compare the full cost over several years rather than selecting a domain based only on its promotional price.

Comparison of Free Domain Alternatives

Availability, eligibility, and features can change. The examples illustrate address formats, not a guarantee that a particular name is available.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

For a personal blog

If you are testing an idea or publishing a personal blog, a hosted subdomain may be sufficient. You can focus on writing and publishing before paying for a domain.

If you want more control over DNS or plan to move to another hosting provider, review the provider’s export, redirect, and custom-domain options first.

For a developer portfolio

GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, Vercel, or a qualifying developer-focused program may be suitable. Choose the platform based on your framework, deployment process, and hosting requirements.

For a business website

A conventional paid domain registered in your own account is generally the better long-term option. It can provide a more consistent brand identity and make it easier to change hosting providers without changing your main web address.

A free subdomain can still be useful for previews or testing, but avoid making a platform-dependent address the only identity for an established business.

For testing and learning

A free subdomain is often enough to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, DNS basics, and deployment workflows. If you need PHP, a database, or server-level access, make sure the hosting service supports those features. A free domain or subdomain does not automatically include web hosting or a remote desktop server.

Are Free Domain Extensions Safe to Use?

A free domain is not automatically unsafe, and a paid domain is not automatically secure. Safety depends on the provider’s policies, account protection, DNS configuration, hosting environment, and how you use the domain.

Before publishing, follow these practices:

1. Read the terms. Understand the rules for suspension, renewal, inactivity, and permitted content.
2. Protect your account. Use a unique password and enable multifactor authentication where available.
3. Secure your website. Use HTTPS and keep your CMS, themes, plugins, and server software updated.
4. Back up your work. Store website files and database backups somewhere separate from your hosting account.
5. Keep control of your content. Save copies of your code, media, and data so you can migrate if a service changes its rules.
6. Test email separately. Do not assume a free domain or subdomain supports custom email or reliable email delivery.
7. Check DNS control. Confirm whether you can set the records your project needs.

Also remember that a domain extension alone does not determine search ranking. Search visibility depends on many factors, including useful content, accessibility, site quality, and how search engines can crawl and index your pages.

How to Move from a Free Subdomain to a Custom Domain

If your project grows, you may decide to purchase a conventional domain. Planning the move early can reduce disruption.

Step 1: Register your new domain

Choose a reputable registrar and check the renewal cost, transfer policy, and account recovery options. Register the domain using an account you control.

Step 2: Connect the domain to your hosting

Follow your hosting provider’s instructions to configure the required DNS records. These may include A, AAAA, CNAME, or other records, depending on the platform.

Do not replace existing records blindly. Email and other services may rely on them.

Step 3: Enable HTTPS

Configure the SSL/TLS certificate for the new hostname and confirm that the website loads securely.

Step 4: Update internal links and canonical URLs

Update your website’s main URL, internal links, sitemap, and canonical tags where necessary. For a content-managed site, use the platform’s recommended migration process.

Step 5: Set up redirects when possible

If you control the old hostname and the service supports redirects, redirect old URLs to their relevant new pages. You may not have this capability on every free subdomain service.

Step 6: Test the migration

Check important pages, forms, images, DNS resolution, HTTPS, analytics, and search indexing. Keep backups until the new site is confirmed to work correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are .tk and .ml domains still free?

Do not assume they are. The old Freenom free-registration model is no longer a dependable option. As of 2026, industry reporting indicates that some former Freenom extensions are offered for a fee, and .ml and .ga have changed operators. Check the current registry or registrar before making a decision.

What is the best free alternative to .tk?

There is no single best option for everyone. EU.org may suit some personal or technical projects, while GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, and Vercel offer platform-managed subdomains for supported websites. Choose based on your hosting needs, eligibility, and the level of control you require.

Can I get a free domain forever?

Be careful with the word forever. A provider may offer a service without a registration fee, but it can still change its terms, discontinue a namespace, or suspend an account that violates its policies. A free service should not be treated as a permanent guarantee.

Can I use a free subdomain for WordPress?

It depends on the hosting environment. WordPress.com offers hosted website options, while a self-hosted WordPress installation requires compatible hosting, typically including PHP and a database. A subdomain by itself does not provide those resources.

Do free domains hurt SEO?

A free or platform-provided subdomain is not automatically a ranking penalty. However, the provider’s reputation, your content, technical setup, links, and ability to maintain the site all matter. For a business, using a custom domain can make branding and long-term site management simpler.

Can I use a free domain for business email?

Not every free domain or subdomain service supports the DNS records and domain control required for custom email. Even when it works technically, deliverability is not guaranteed. Check the provider’s capabilities and email service requirements before relying on it for business communications.

Is a free domain the same as free hosting?

No. A domain or subdomain is the address visitors use to reach your site. Hosting stores and serves the website. Some platforms bundle both for supported projects, but other domain services do not provide hosting, databases, or remote desktop access.

Final Recommendation

If you are replacing an old .tk or .ml address, start by deciding whether you need a domain of your own or simply a free address for a project.

For learning, development, and static websites, a hosted subdomain from GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Netlify, or Vercel can be a practical starting point. If you want to apply for a community-managed namespace, read its requirements and understand that approval is not guaranteed.

For a business, online store, or website you plan to maintain for years, compare paid domains using the full renewal cost and register the chosen name through an account you control.

The best alternative is not necessarily the one with a zero-dollar registration fee. It is the one that fits your project, gives you the necessary control, and remains practical to maintain over time.