A GitHub Pages alternative without Git
GitHub Pages is free and reliable, but it assumes you work in Git: repositories, commits, pushes and, often, a build. If you just want to put some HTML files online, that's a lot to learn first.
What GitHub Pages asks of you
- Git: your site lives in a repository, and every change is a commit. GitHub's web editor helps with small edits, but uploading a folder of files is awkward.
- A public repository on a free account: anyone can see your site's source and history.
- No forms or server features: you'll need a separate service for a contact form.
- No online business: GitHub's terms say Pages isn't for running an online business, e-commerce site or software as a service.
Alternatives that don't need Git
- Netlify Drop: drag a folder onto a web page to publish it. Netlify's free plan runs on monthly credits and pauses sites when they run out (comparison).
- Neocities: edit pages in the browser, with a community of personal sites. Custom domains need the $5/month plan (comparison).
- Pagehaus: upload with SFTP (FileZilla, Cyberduck…) or in the browser, edit files in the dashboard, or let an AI assistant do it. Server Side Includes share your header and footer, forms work with no code, and custom domains start at $4/month (comparison).
Moving a GitHub Pages site to Pagehaus
- On GitHub, open your repository, click Code → Download ZIP.
- If your site is built with Jekyll, upload the built site (the
_sitefolder after running Jekyll), not the source. Plain HTML repositories can be uploaded as they are. - In Pagehaus, open your site's files and use Upload zip.
- Using your own domain? Add it under Domains and change its DNS records as shown (custom domains guide), then remove it from GitHub Pages.
When to stay on GitHub Pages
If you're comfortable with Git, want your own domain for free, and don't need forms or commercial use, GitHub Pages is a great choice and we'd tell you to keep it.