Most hosting providers ask for your credit card before you can test anything. You commit to a plan, enter payment details, and hope the platform works the way you need it to. If it does not, you file a cancellation request and wait for a refund.
Hostney works differently. Every new customer gets a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. Sign up, start a trial, and test the full platform before deciding. If it is not the right fit, the trial expires and nothing happens. No charges, no cancellation process, no forgotten subscription billing you months later.
This guide covers what the trial includes, how to start it, and what happens when it ends.
What is included in the free trial#
The trial is not a stripped-down demo. It gives you access to the same hosting environment that paid plans use, with resource limits appropriate for evaluation.
Hosting features:
- 1 website with a temporary subdomain (no domain purchase required for testing)
- 1 GB storage
- 1 MySQL database
- Free SSL certificate (auto-provisioned)
- Daily backups
WordPress tools:
- WordPress 1-click install
- Managed WordPress tools (plugin updates, PHP version management)
- SPA deployment via Git for non-WordPress projects
Security and performance:
- WAF and real-time malware protection
- Nginx caching (FastCGI microcaching for PHP pages)
- Bot detection at the server level
Developer tools:
- SSH terminal access
- PHP version selector (multiple PHP versions available)
- Cron job management
- DNS management and redirects
- File manager and log viewers
Features not available during the trial: per-account Memcached (object caching) and SSR application deployment. SPA deployment via Git works on the trial. Everything else works exactly as it does on paid plans.
How to start the free trial#
The process takes about two minutes:
- Sign up at hostney.com. No credit card required during registration.
- Go to the Accounts page in your control panel.
- Find the trial plan card and click Start trial.
- Select a region closest to your audience. Only trial-enabled regions are shown.
- Name your account with a label (for example, “My blog” or “Test site”). This is just for your own reference in the dashboard.
- Review and activate. Accept the terms of service and click to activate.
You will also need to add a domain you own to the system. The trial does not include a free domain – you need an existing domain to get started. Once added, you can use a temporary subdomain for testing without pointing your live DNS to Hostney yet.
Your trial starts immediately. The account provisions in under a minute, and you can begin setting up your site right away. You will receive email reminders before the trial expires so you are not caught off guard.
Each customer can claim one free trial. If you need more time to evaluate, contact support.
No credit card required#
This is worth emphasizing because it is uncommon in the hosting industry. Most “free trials” from other providers are actually money-back guarantees that require payment upfront:
- Hostinger requires full payment for 12-48 months upfront, with a 30-day refund window
- SiteGround requires payment upfront with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Bluehost requires payment upfront with a 30-day refund policy
These are refund policies, not free trials. You pay first, then request money back if unsatisfied. Hostney’s trial collects no payment information until you decide to upgrade.
What happens when the trial ends#
If you do not upgrade to a paid plan within 14 days, the trial account is automatically removed. Your files, databases, and configurations are deleted. There is no charge, no invoice, and no action required on your part.
If you want to keep your site, upgrade before the trial expires. Your data stays exactly as it is – no migration, no re-setup. The trial account converts to a paid account seamlessly.
Upgrading to a paid plan#
You can upgrade at any time during the trial:
- Go to the Accounts page.
- Choose the plan that fits your needs.
- Select a billing term (1, 2, or 3 years). Longer terms get a bigger discount, and the price stays the same on renewal – no introductory pricing tricks.
- Enter your payment details (processed securely through Stripe).
- Review and confirm.
Your trial site becomes your paid site instantly. No downtime, no data transfer, no reconfiguration. If you already installed WordPress, configured your PHP version, or set up cron jobs, everything stays in place.
What to test during the trial#
Fourteen days is enough to evaluate everything that matters. Here is what to focus on:
Day 1-2: Setup and first impressions. Install WordPress (or deploy your app via Git). Set up your domain or use the temporary subdomain. Navigate the control panel. Is it intuitive? Can you find what you need?
Day 3-7: Performance and features. Run your site through speed tests. Test the caching system. Try the SSH terminal and file manager. Change PHP versions. Create a database. Set up a cron job. These are the features you will use daily.
Day 8-14: Reliability and support. Has the site been stable? Check the uptime. Look at the access logs for any issues. Try the support system if you have questions. This is when you decide if the platform fits your workflow.
If you are migrating from another host, you can use the trial to migrate your site and test it on Hostney’s infrastructure before switching DNS. The temporary subdomain lets you browse your site on the new server without affecting your live site.
Summary#
Hostney’s free trial gives you 14 days to test the full hosting platform with no credit card, no payment, and no commitment. The trial includes WordPress hosting, SSL, daily backups, SSH access, bot detection, Nginx caching, and developer tools. If it works for you, upgrade and keep everything. If not, walk away with no charges.
Start your free trial and see how it works.