What is Wapka?
Wapka is a website hosting platform and builder. You get free subdomains, a built-in file manager, a database, and server-side scripting — all in one place. You can build anything from a simple portfolio to a dynamic web app.
![Wapka dashboard overview showing site cards and stats]
What you can build
| Type | Best for | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Static website | Portfolio, landing page, resume | TAG or Lua |
| Blog | Articles, comments, categories | Native App or Lua |
| Forum | Discussions, threads, moderation | Native App or Lua |
| REST API | Mobile app backend, webhooks | Lua |
| E-commerce | Products, cart, checkout | Lua + Dataset |
| File host | Images, downloads, CDN | Any |
The three engines
Every Wapka site runs on one of three engines. You can switch engines at any time from your site settings.
TAG (legacy)
The original Wapka engine based on {{TAG()}} macros. Use them inside Type 1 (TAG Code) blocks to insert dynamic content — read variables, URL parameters, form data, and chain transforms. Processed by the legacy apply_tags() engine. You can also upload a static HTML template as a ZIP bundle.
Lua Framework
A modern server-side runtime. You write Lua scripts with routing, middleware, and database access. Best for APIs, dynamic apps, and anything that needs custom logic.
Native App
Pre-built applications like blog, forum, and store. Install with one click and customize through settings. Fastest way to get a feature-rich site running.
![Site settings page showing the engine selector dropdown]
Key concepts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Site ID | Every site has a unique number used in URLs and APIs |
| Subdomain | Free address like yoursite.wapka.site |
| Custom domain | Use your own domain like yoursite.com |
| Dataset | Built-in NoSQL database — zero configuration |
| Code Studio | Browser-based editor for Lua and HTML |
| My Drive | Personal cloud storage separate from site files |
| User levels | Site members range from 0 (basic) to 10 (admin) |
How it works
- Sign up — free account, no credit card required
- Create a site — pick a subdomain and an engine
- Build — write code, upload files, or install an app
- Deploy — every save goes live instantly
- Grow — add a custom domain, scale your plan, or connect external tools
Next: Read about Choosing Your Engine to pick the right mode for your project.