You can host a website for free in 2025. The two best approaches: use WordPress locally and export to a static site, or build with a modern static site generator. This guide compares both methods honestly.

The Two Approaches

ApproachToolsBest For
WordPress StaticWordPress Studio + Simply Static + NetlifyNon-developers, existing WP users
Astro + AIAstro + Claude Code + NetlifyDevelopers, maximum control

Both result in a fast, secure static site hosted free on Netlify. The path to get there differs significantly.

Approach 1: WordPress Studio + Static Export

What Is WordPress Studio?

WordPress Studio is a free desktop app from Automattic (the company behind WordPress.com) that runs WordPress locally on your computer.1 Released in April 2024, it eliminates the traditional complexity of local WordPress development.

Key Features:

  • One-click WordPress installation
  • No server configuration (no Apache, MySQL, etc.)
  • Runs on SQLite (file-based, no database server)
  • Built on WordPress Playground (WebAssembly)
  • Available for Mac and Windows (Linux coming)

Step 1: Install WordPress Studio

  1. Download from developer.wordpress.com/studio1
  2. Install the application
  3. Click “Add Site” and name your project
  4. WordPress is ready in seconds

No terminal commands. No configuration files. No credentials to remember.

Step 2: Build Your Site Locally

With WordPress running locally, you can:

  • Install any theme (free or premium)
  • Add plugins for functionality
  • Create pages and posts
  • Customize with the block editor
  • Test everything offline

Recommended Setup:

  • Use a lightweight theme (GeneratePress, Kadence, Astra)
  • Minimize plugins (each adds complexity to static export)
  • Avoid plugins requiring server-side processing (contact forms, e-commerce)

Step 3: Install Simply Static Plugin

Simply Static converts your WordPress site to static HTML files.2

  1. In WordPress admin: Plugins → Add New
  2. Search “Simply Static”
  3. Install and activate
  4. Go to Simply Static → Settings

Configure Settings:

  • Destination URL: Your Netlify URL (or custom domain)
  • Delivery Method: Local Directory (for manual upload) or Netlify integration
  • Include/Exclude: Remove unnecessary files

Step 4: Generate Static Files

  1. Go to Simply Static → Generate
  2. Click “Generate Static Files”
  3. Wait for the process to complete
  4. Download the ZIP file

Simply Static crawls your entire site, converting dynamic PHP pages to static HTML, CSS, and images.

Step 5: Deploy to Netlify

Option A: Manual Upload (Simplest)

  1. Go to app.netlify.com
  2. Sign up or log in (free)
  3. Drag and drop your ZIP file
  4. Site is live instantly

Option B: Git Integration

  1. Push static files to GitHub repository
  2. Connect repository to Netlify
  3. Automatic deploys on every push

What Works and What Doesn’t

Works Well:

  • Brochure sites and portfolios
  • Blogs and content sites
  • Landing pages
  • Documentation sites

Doesn’t Work:

  • Contact forms (use Netlify Forms or Formspree)
  • Search functionality (use Pagefind or Algolia)
  • Comments (use Disqus or static alternatives)
  • E-commerce (not suitable for static)
  • User login/membership

Limitations of This Approach

  1. Plugin Compatibility: Many WordPress plugins won’t work after static export
  2. Update Workflow: Must regenerate and redeploy for every change
  3. No Dynamic Content: Comments, forms, search require external services
  4. Export Issues: Some themes/plugins cause export problems3
  5. Learning Curve: Still need to understand WordPress

Approach 2: Astro + Claude Code

What Is Astro?

Astro is a modern static site generator that outputs pure HTML with zero JavaScript by default.4 It’s designed for content-focused websites and delivers exceptional performance.

Key Features:

  • Ships zero JavaScript by default
  • Use React, Vue, Svelte components (optional)
  • Built-in Markdown/MDX support
  • Content collections for structured data
  • Excellent developer experience

What Is Claude Code?

Claude Code is Anthropic’s AI coding assistant that runs in your terminal. It can write, edit, and explain code through natural language conversation.

Key Capabilities:

  • Generate entire components from descriptions
  • Debug and fix errors
  • Refactor existing code
  • Explain how things work
  • Execute terminal commands

Step 1: Set Up Your Environment

Prerequisites:

  • Node.js 18+ installed
  • Git installed
  • Code editor (VS Code recommended)
  • Claude Code CLI (optional but powerful)

Create New Astro Project:

npm create astro@latest my-website
cd my-website
npm install

Choose your preferences during setup:

  • Template: “Empty” or “Blog” for starters
  • TypeScript: Recommended (optional)
  • Strict: Yes for better code

Step 2: Build with Claude Code

With Claude Code, you describe what you want in plain English:

Example Prompts:

“Create a homepage with a hero section, three feature cards, and a footer”

“Add a blog with MDX support and a list of recent posts on the homepage”

“Style the site with a dark theme using CSS variables”

“Create a contact page with a form that uses Netlify Forms”

Claude Code generates the files, explains what it created, and can iterate based on feedback.

Step 3: Add Content

Markdown Files: Create content in src/content/:

---
title: "My First Post"
pubDate: 2025-01-25
description: "Welcome to my blog"
---

Your content here in Markdown.

Content Collections: Astro validates your content with schemas, catching errors before they go live.

Step 4: Deploy to Netlify

Option A: Git Integration (Recommended)

  1. Push code to GitHub
  2. Connect to Netlify
  3. Netlify auto-detects Astro settings
  4. Every git push triggers a new deploy

Option B: CLI Deploy

npm install -g netlify-cli
netlify deploy --prod

What Works and What Doesn’t

Works Well:

  • Everything WordPress static does, plus more
  • Complex layouts and components
  • Full control over every element
  • Server-side rendering (if needed)
  • API integrations
  • Dynamic islands of interactivity

Doesn’t Work (Without Additional Setup):

  • WYSIWYG editing (need CMS integration)
  • Non-technical content editors
  • Real-time previews for non-developers

Head-to-Head Comparison

Setup Time

TaskWordPress StudioAstro + Claude
Initial setup5 minutes10-15 minutes
First page live30 minutes20-30 minutes
Learning curveLower (familiar UI)Higher (code-based)
Full siteHours to daysHours to days

Technical Requirements

RequirementWordPress StudioAstro + Claude
Coding knowledgeNoneBasic helpful, AI assists
Terminal usageNoneRequired
Node.jsNoYes
GitOptionalRecommended

Performance

MetricWordPress StaticAstro
Lighthouse score90-10095-100
JavaScript shippedDepends on themeZero by default
Build timeSlower (crawls site)Faster (direct build)
Page sizeLarger (theme bloat)Minimal

Astro typically produces leaner output because you control every byte. WordPress themes often include unused CSS and JavaScript.

Flexibility

CapabilityWordPress StudioAstro + Claude
Theme optionsThousands availableBuild custom or use templates
Plugin ecosystemHuge (but limited for static)npm ecosystem
Custom functionalityLimited by pluginsUnlimited with code
Component librariesFewReact, Vue, Svelte, etc.

Content Editing

AspectWordPress StudioAstro
Visual editorYes (Gutenberg)No (code/Markdown)
Non-technical friendlyYesNo (without CMS)
Real-time previewYesDev server only
Content validationNoYes (schemas)

Maintenance

TaskWordPress StudioAstro
UpdatesWP core, themes, pluginsnpm dependencies
SecurityKeep WP updated locallyMinimal attack surface
BackupsExport filesGit history
MigrationRe-export and deployPush to new host

Cost Comparison

Both approaches can be completely free:

WordPress Studio Path

ItemCost
WordPress StudioFree
WordPress coreFree
ThemeFree (or $50-200 for premium)
Simply StaticFree (Pro: $99/year)
Netlify hostingFree tier
Domain$10-15/year (optional)
Total$0-15/year

Astro + Claude Code Path

ItemCost
AstroFree
Claude CodeFree tier or $20/month for more usage
Netlify hostingFree tier
Domain$10-15/year (optional)
Total$0-15/year (or +$20/month for heavy Claude usage)

Which Should You Choose?

Choose WordPress Studio + Static If:

  • You already know WordPress
  • You want a visual editor
  • You’re building a simple blog or brochure site
  • You prefer clicking over coding
  • You want access to WordPress themes
  • You need to hand off to a non-technical client

Choose Astro + Claude Code If:

  • You want maximum performance
  • You’re comfortable with code (or willing to learn with AI help)
  • You want full control over output
  • You’re building something custom
  • You plan to scale or add features later
  • You want to learn modern web development

The Hybrid Option

You can also use a headless CMS with Astro for the best of both worlds:

  • Content editing: Decap CMS, Tina CMS, or Sanity (visual editing)
  • Site generation: Astro (performance and control)
  • Hosting: Netlify (free)

This gives non-technical editors a familiar interface while developers maintain control over the frontend.

Step-by-Step: Quick Start for Each

WordPress Studio Quick Start

1. Download WordPress Studio
2. Create new site
3. Install theme and create content
4. Install Simply Static plugin
5. Generate static files
6. Drag ZIP to Netlify
7. Done - site is live

Astro + Claude Code Quick Start

# 1. Create project
npm create astro@latest my-site

# 2. Start development
cd my-site
npm run dev

# 3. Use Claude Code to build
# "Create a homepage with hero and features"

# 4. Add content in src/content/

# 5. Deploy to Netlify
netlify deploy --prod

# Done - site is live

Real-World Considerations

When WordPress Static Fails

I’ve seen WordPress static exports fail when:

  • Plugins generate dynamic URLs
  • Themes use heavy JavaScript
  • Sites have thousands of pages (export takes forever)
  • Forms or search are core features

When Astro Feels Overwhelming

Astro can feel complex when:

  • You’ve never used a terminal
  • You don’t understand HTML/CSS basics
  • You need a site today with zero learning
  • Your content team expects WordPress

The Honest Truth

WordPress Studio + Static is a clever workaround that makes WordPress work for static hosting. It’s not what WordPress was designed for, and you’ll occasionally fight that reality.

Astro was built for static sites from day one. Everything works as expected, but you’re writing code (even if AI helps significantly).

Neither is universally “better.” The right choice depends on your skills, timeline, and what you’re building.

Conclusion

Both approaches deliver the same end result: a fast, secure, free-hosted static website. The journey differs:

  • WordPress Studio trades development complexity for export complexity
  • Astro + Claude Code requires more upfront learning but provides cleaner output

For most developers or those willing to learn, Astro with AI assistance offers a more maintainable long-term solution. For WordPress users who want to keep their workflow, the static export path works—with caveats.

Try both. WordPress Studio takes minutes to test. Astro with Claude Code can have you productive in an afternoon. See which feels right for how you work.

Further Reading

References

Footnotes

  1. Automattic. “WordPress Studio – Fast, Free Local Development.” https://developer.wordpress.com/studio/ ↩ ↩2

  2. Simply Static. “The Best WordPress Static Site Generator.” https://simplystatic.com/ ↩

  3. Netlify Support Forums. “WordPress Static Export Display Issues.” https://answers.netlify.com/t/wordpress-static-export-simply-static-wp2static-not-displaying-properly-when-uploaded-to-netlify/2364 ↩

  4. Astro. “The web framework for content-driven websites.” https://astro.build/ ↩