Does Freeola Offer a Free Trial Period?
From my experience testing dozens of UK hosting providers, I’d say Freeola’s 6-week free trial sounds better than it actually is. While it does let you explore some core features like the website builder and email hosting, several essential tools are either restricted or require paid upgrades. If you’re a beginner, it might work, but for anything more serious, it starts to fall short.
Here’s what I found:
- 6-week access to web and email hosting
- InstantPro website builder included
- No free domain or SSL certificate
- Limited HTML control
- Potential hidden fees after trial
Before you decide, I strongly recommend checking out the complete Freeola review to understand the full picture, both the good and the bad.
What is Freeola?
Freeola is a UK-based internet service provider offering a broad range of services including web hosting, email hosting, broadband, website builders, domain registration, and more. It’s particularly known for its InstantPro website builder and domain services via GetDotted.com.
Freeola has carved a niche for itself by appealing to individuals and small businesses looking for budget-friendly digital solutions.
With a user-friendly control panel (MyFreeola), and promises of unlimited bandwidth and disk space, it seems like a solid option on paper. But as I dug deeper, I found the reality to be more nuanced.
Is the Freeola Trial Really Worth Signing Up For?
As someone who regularly tests web hosting services, I know how tempting a free trial can be, especially when you’re launching a project on a budget. Freeola’s 6-week free trial caught my attention for offering more time than most providers.
But is more time necessarily better? That depends on what the trial actually offers and how flexible it is.
To answer this, I decided to dig into the details of the Freeola trial to see whether it genuinely helps users get started, or whether it leaves too much behind a paywall.
What Does It Include?
Yes, Freeola does offer a free trial period, a 6-week trial that includes access to its website builder and email hosting features. Here’s a breakdown of what’s typically included:
| Feature | Availability in Trial | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| InstantPro Website Builder | Available | RQS-based builder, template-limited |
| Email Hosting | Included | Must use Freeola domain |
| Web Hosting | Included | Basic SSD package |
| MyFreeola Control Panel | Included | Limited to Freeola ecosystem |
| SSL Certificate | Not included | Must purchase separately |
| Domain Name | Not included | Required for publishing, pay separately |
| File Upload (HTML/CSS) | Restricted | Only within RQS templates |
At first glance, it seems like a decent offering. But once I started exploring its capabilities, a few red flags became clear.
Why Might Freeola’s Free Trial Not Be Worth It for Serious Users?
While the 6-week trial sounds generous, it’s important to consider the functional limitations and reliability concerns tied to the offer.
Key Concerns:
- No SLA (Service Level Agreement): Freeola does not guarantee consistent uptime or performance.
- Reports of Outages: Several recent user reviews mentioned website downtime and inaccessible email services.
- Downgraded Free Services: Once known for offering free email addresses and domain perks, Freeola has reduced many of its no-cost features.
- Limited Hosting Performance: Despite claiming “unlimited,” some users report subpar performance compared to other hosting platforms.
If you’re planning to build a business website or rely on stable email services, the lack of formal guarantees can be a serious concern.
Are There Hidden Costs After the Free Trial Ends?
Unfortunately, yes. While the initial trial is advertised as free, many users report discovering additional costs once the trial period ends. These charges are often not made clear during the sign-up process, which can lead to frustration later on.
One common cost is a domain transfer fee. If you decide to move your domain away from Freeola, a charge of £9.96 may apply, despite this not being prominently highlighted upfront. Users may also need to upgrade to a paid SSD hosting plan if they want full control over their website outside the RQS builder.
In addition, SSL certificates are not included with the free or basic plans and must be purchased separately. Free email services can also become chargeable after the trial or once certain usage limits are reached. While these costs are fairly standard in hosting, the lack of clear upfront communication often causes dissatisfaction.
Does Freeola Mislead Users About “Free” Website Hosting?
One of the most common complaints in reviews concerns Freeola’s “free” one-page hosting. Many users sign up expecting to upload custom HTML and run a basic static site, but the reality is more limited.
The free option only works through Freeola’s RQS website builder, meaning you can’t upload your own code unless you upgrade. These restrictions are not always clear during sign-up and often only become obvious after the account is set up.
As a result, this plan isn’t suitable for developers or anyone needing design or backend flexibility, even for simple websites.
User Feedback Example:
“I expected to upload a one-page HTML website for free. Instead, I found I could only use Freeola’s builder, which didn’t suit my needs. That information wasn’t made clear until after I signed up.” – Marcelo, Trustpilot Review
If you’re expecting full control over your site or access to FTP, you’ll be disappointed with what the free hosting actually includes.
Why Isn’t Freeola the Best Choice for Business Hosting?
Business websites demand speed, uptime, flexibility, and security, and Freeola doesn’t always deliver on these essentials.
Business Limitations:
- Unreliable Uptime: Multiple user reviews cite email and site downtime.
- Vague Support Communication: Especially on weekends, users reported delayed or unhelpful responses.
- No Live Chat During Off-Hours: Critical for business hosting.
- Limited Scalability: The free trial is not structured for business growth or advanced hosting needs.
- No Free SSL: Which is now a basic requirement for any business website.
If you’re running a mission-critical service or eCommerce store, there are more robust alternatives out there.
Final Verdict
Personally, I found Freeola’s trial to be a mixed bag. On one hand, the 6-week duration gives you more time than many other providers offer, and it’s enough to test their website builder and control panel. But on the other hand, critical components like full site customisation, domain registration, and security are either missing or hidden behind extra fees.
For someone just starting out with a personal blog or simple site, it might be good enough. But if you’re looking for a complete, no-strings-attached experience before paying, I’d recommend exploring more transparent alternatives.
