Writer: Lynn Cadet
Editor: Lillian Castro
Reviewer: Christina Lewis
Developers usually build a business website or web application in the hope it will draw consumers and expand over time. But as a web project grows, so does its data. This is why a user’s choice of database is so crucial.
Databases allow users to store, organize, and retrieve a website or application’s data. Although several database options exist, many developers choose MySQL to manage their data. MySQL is an open-source database that is scalable, flexible, and performant.
If you’re a MySQL user, it is important to purchase a hosting plan with a valuable MySQL offering — one that can help you scale and process requests with speed and reliability. Fortunately, you can find various free MySQL databases online. Below, we will discuss the best free options and a few paid plans you can’t miss out on for database needs.
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Free MySQL Database Hosting
Finding decent free hosting may sound like an impossible task. But one lesson I learned while researching free hosts for this article is that you’ll find a few diamonds in the rough anywhere if you look hard enough.
After reviewing a dozen free hosting providers, I found two hosts that met the requirements of being a safe, solid option and a MySQL host. Those hosts are HelioHost and InfinityFree.
They might not have all the features (e.g. customer support and DDoS protection) of paid hosts. But HelioHost and InfinityFree offer just enough to help a developer or student get off the ground with their projects. Read on below for more information about each host.
1. HelioHost
HelioHost is a crowdfunded web hosting service that aims to deliver free server resources to everyone. It operates a data center in Silicon Valley, allowing it to provide features, including unlimited bandwidth and domains.
Pros
- Unlimited MySQL databases
- Free-forever hosting
- Remote access
- Responsive staff volunteers
Cons
- Complicated signup process
- Limited daily resource usage
- Inconsistent uptime
You don’t get a lot of storage, but HelioHost does offer unlimited databases for MySQL. It also provides a free cPanel and Softaculous app installer. Though HelioHost doesn’t offer the most resources, it does provide a great canvas for users to test out their projects with no strings attached.
2. InfinityFree
InfinityFree is one of a kind. It makes a conscious effort to deviate from the stereotypes that come with free hosting providers. InfinityFree’s unlimited storage capacity and bandwidth give users ample resources to power their projects efficiently.
Pros
- No credit card required
- Up to 400 MySQL databases
- Free SSL certificates
- Free Softaculous app installer
Cons
- Limited customer support
- No email hosting services
InfinityFree touts a 99.9% uptime guarantee, which is better than what most free hosts on the market could offer. Its database hosting also has a limit of 400 databases. InfinityFree stands out in the sea of free hosting services with unique offerings and valuable performance.
Best MySQL Hosting Providers With Free Trials
Although the word free is usually associated with good things, it comes with caveats. And in the case of web hosting, free is usually a mask for subpar performance. You may not have to pay with your wallet, but free hosting does come at a cost, including limited resources and mandatory ad placements.
If you want a trustworthy experience and don’t want to spend anything yet, you can subscribe to a web hosting service with a free trial. Two of our favorite hosts, Kamatera and Cloudways, both offer free trials that include excellent MySQL perks.
3. Kamatera.com
Monthly Starting Price $0.00
- Customize your cloud environment for FREE
- Work with a dedicated account manager
- Dozens of Windows & Linux OS choices
- Complimentary live chat support open 24/7
- Launch in less than 60 seconds
- Get started on Kamatera now.
That’s right, Kamatera gives new customers FREE access to high-quality VPS hosting for 30 days. Upgrade your bargain-basement shared hosting to a cloud server configured to your exact specifications for no cost. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-day FREE trial | 20 GB SSD – 4 TB SSD | New or Transfer | 3 minutes |
Kamatera provides reliable and scalable cloud servers for almost any need. Users can customize their hosting environment by choosing their storage, operating system, and RAM specifications, which makes finding a suitable solution easy.
Pros
- Customizable server environments
- Deploys instantly
- Several OS choices
- 24/7 technical support
Cons
- Extra costs for daily backups
- Small knowledge base
With low-cost block storage and fast SSD technology, Kamatera ensures you won’t have to worry about your database performance. Kamatera makes it easy to find everything you need under one hood and provides enough flexibility so you can scale (up or down) when necessary.
See our full review of Kamatera >>
4. Cloudways.com
Monthly Starting Price $0.00
- Try managed cloud hosting for FREE for 3 days
- Optimize costs with custom server configurations
- Scale server resources up and down as needed
- FREE SSL certificates, site migrations, and CDN
- Use code HOSTINGADVICE for 25% OFF
- Get started on Cloudways now.
Cloudways doesn’t offer a dollars-per-month shared hosting plan. But the company still brings a significant bargain to the table, thanks to a (short) free trial. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-day FREE trial | 20 GB SSD – 4 TB SSD | New or Transfer | 8 minutes |
Although Cloudways only offers a three-day free trial, it gives you complete access to its managed cloud platform to explore and gauge whether it will fit your goals. Its platform is database-friendly and provides valuable free perks, including a built-in MySQL manager, a database migration service, and automatic backups.
Pros
- Built-in MySQL manager
- Compatibility with GitHub
- 24/7 support and monitoring
- No long-term contracts
Cons
- Pricier than some hosts
- No email hosting or file manager
Cloudways also offers unlimited databases and ample storage, making it a compelling choice for users looking to grow their businesses. With its free trial, you can choose from five hosting giants to test out your database management, including DigitalOcean, AWS, Vultr, Google Cloud, and Linode.
See our full review of Cloudways >>
Other Cheap MySQL Hosting Services
If the entirely free hosts mentioned above don’t suit your needs, you have plenty of inexpensive hosts to choose from. Check out some of our top picks below.
5. IONOS.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.00
- $1/month for 12 months
- No hidden fees, pay just $12 at checkout
- Easy setup and 24/7 expert support
- FREE domain or transfer, plus FREE SSL certificate
- Unlimited storage and databases with most plans
- Get started on IONOS now.
If budget is the main factor on your mind when searching for your next web host, search no more. IONOS has an impressive range of robust web hosting and website building packages for what may be the best price we’ve ever seen in the world of hosting. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10 GB – Unlimited | FREE (1 year) | 4 minutes |
You can’t lose with IONOS. Not only does it offer an affordable web hosting service, but it also provides feature-packed plans and exceptional performance. For only $1.00 a month, HostingAdvice readers can receive a full year of unlimited databases.
Pros
- Scalable server environments
- Unlimited databases and storage
- Daily backups and recovery
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- No free domain registration
- Complaints about frequent upselling
The IONOS team also prioritizes experience and performance by delivering top page loading speeds and uptime backed by optimized infrastructure. IONOS may be one of the most affordable hosts on this list, but it doesn’t compromise and surely packs a punch when it comes to performance and hardware.
See our full review of IONOS >>
6. SiteGround.com
Monthly Starting Price $2.99
- FREE website transfer service to get started
- 99.9% uptime guarantee and unlimited traffic
- User-friendly WordPress installation
- 24/7 support featuring custom systems
- 4 caching options plus staging and Git
- Get started on SiteGround now.
Providing hosting with the perfect balance of technological innovation and superior customer support, SiteGround offers a range of affordable hosting services to meet your needs. In addition to the expected cheap web hosting perks — a free website builder and unlimited bandwidth — the company specializes in custom-built tools to deliver strong and positive user experiences. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10 GB SSD – 40 GB SSD | FREE (1 Year) | 6 minutes |
SiteGround has one of the top-rated customer support services in the hosting industry. This is evident in its quick responses and resolution time, with more than 90% of issues solved at first contact.
Pros
- Support for unlimited databases
- Unlimited FTP accounts
- Responsive 24/7 customer support
- Automated daily backups
Cons
- Limitations on database size
- No options for VPS or dedicated hosting
- High renewal pricing
Users can also appreciate its highly secure platform and backup features, which improve site performance for visitors. Overall, SiteGround ensures an excellent hosting experience for database users who require high availability and scalability.
See our full review of SiteGround >>
7. A2Hosting.com
Monthly Starting Price $1.99
- Free Cloudflare CDN and SSD speed boost
- Optimized caching and 1-click installs
- Unlimited email, domains, and databases
- Advanced security and free HackScan
- 24/7 support via phone, chat & tickets
- Get started on A2 Hosting now.
There are plenty of excellent cPanel shared hosting providers out there, so what sets A2 Hosting apart from the rest. Not only does the company offer a ton of features, but it has custom-built its packages for enhanced performance, speed, and security — putting your priorities above pricing. Go to full review »
| Money Back Guarantee | Disk Space | Domain Name | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days | 10 GB SSD – Unlimited SSD | New or Transfer | 4 minutes |
A2 Hosting, known for its blazing-fast servers, supports various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB. A2 Hosting allows users to choose any server type for database hosting and easily upgrade to VPS or dedicated hosting for more resources when needed.
Pros
- Unlimited NVMe storage available
- Support for unlimited databases
- FREE site backups
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- High renewal pricing
- Base plans aren’t enhanced
If you prioritize performance, A2 Hosting’s developer-friendly platform will surely give you what you’re looking for with its well-oiled infrastructure and technical support. Slow databases, be gone!
See our full review of A2 Hosting >>
What is MySQL?
MySQL is a database management system that uses the Structured Query Language (SQL). It is the most popular open-source relational database system, and for good reason. MySQL offers excellent data protection, flexibility, comprehensive support, and open-source freedom.
MySQL’s relational structure means tables organize the database. Most users don’t directly work with databases because they use the interface of other software, such as WordPress, to manage their sites. But each time a website owner adds a blog post or image, that data goes into their database.
Developers, on the other hand, have a closer relationship with MySQL. It allows them to modify source code easily to create a database environment suitable to their project needs. MySQL’s high performance can accommodate heavy datasets, including eCommerce data, and better handle mission-critical business workloads. MySQL is an industry-standard that is a secure option for anyone.
How Much Does MySQL Hosting Cost?
MySQL is free, open-source software, which can be distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Though getting started with MySQL doesn’t require much, getting your databases online and reachable for your hosted website is another story.
As we’ve seen, free MySQL servers exist, meaning you don’t necessarily have to pay anything to host and manage your MySQL databases. However, those servers typically have limited support, subpar performance, and little security.
Paid hosts, however, offer MySQL hosting with tons of support, with plans for as little as $1 a month (IONOS, for example). Most base plans hover under the $5 mark and include features, such as 24/7 customer support, unlimited storage, daily backups, and DDoS protection — hitting every part of your checklist.
If you’re not ready to go all in with a paid host, you can test the waters with a free trial (no credit card required). Kamatera and Cloudways both offer free trials that allow you to explore their platforms and determine whether they’re worth the cost.
Is Free Web Hosting Worth It?
Free hosting is a useful option but only for a niche audience. Students and beginner developers will find free hosting to be a beneficial resource. It allows them to experiment with development and website creation without making any commitments. But free hosting is not the best solution for someone looking to make a serious investment.
If you have goals of creating a business website or web application, we recommend purchasing a low-cost hosting plan. With a paid plan, you can get more features and better performance, allowing you room to grow. You also receive a comprehensive experience with features, including domain registration, email, and security.
Of course, we have to talk about the pitfalls. Except for a handful of hosts, most free web hosts deliver poor performance, require website ads, and don’t offer additional features such as customer support.
Free host InfinityFree is a rare exception that provides an ad-free experience and better resources. So if you decide you want free hosting, you can start by researching InfinityFree.
Choosing the Best MySQL Hosting Service
Choosing a reliable hosting service is critical for the success of any web presence. Since databases house all of a site or application’s important details and files, a web host with top-notch speeds and ample storage space will be essential to ensure scalability and high performance for your database.
Many web hosts offer support for the MySQL database. So your choice will come down to the little details or, more so, the numbers. You may need unlimited storage for your application, or you may want to save money and get a smaller package. Figuring out the long-term vision for your project will help you with making the final decision.
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