Free subdomains, your platform's name, a links page or a well-made profile. Which alternative to buying a domain fits what you actually need.
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Buying a domain isn't expensive, but it is one more thing to pay for, renew and configure. For many people, especially when starting out, there are alternatives that do what you need without any of that. Here is the list, from most to least like having your own domain.
First, what you want it for
A domain of your own is good for three things, a web address with your name, email with your name and that name being only yours to take anywhere. The alternatives cover the first two. Only a bought domain gives you the third.
If what you need is an address for your CV, a portfolio, a demo or a contact email, you almost certainly don't need to buy anything yet.
A subdomain with your name
It is the closest thing to your own domain without buying one. With does.software you get yourname.does.software on the spot and without a card, with a redirect to your site, paths like /cv, forwarded email and HTTPS. If you want it permanent or with hosting and a mailbox, the Starter plan costs from €2.56 a month.
Other options are is-a.dev, free and with DNS records for developers who know how to set them up, and eu.org, free but with a manual approval that can take months.
The difference from a domain is that the name on top belongs to someone else and you can't take it with you. The subdomain versus domain comparison puts numbers on it.
Your platform's name
Nearly every website tool gives you a free name under theirs. GitHub Pages gives you username.github.io, Vercel and Netlify a name under theirs, Google Sites an address inside sites.google.com, Notion yourname.notion.site and Carrd yourname.carrd.co.
They are free and there is nothing to configure. In exchange, the address is long, advertises the tool and changes if you move to another.
It combines with a subdomain. You build the site wherever is most comfortable and point yourname.does.software at it, so the link you hand out is short and doesn't change even if you change tools.
A profile or a links page
Sometimes you don't need a website. A complete LinkedIn profile, a GitHub profile with a personal README or a links page like Linktree cover what many people are after when they think about buying a domain.
What they don't give you is email with your name or an address of your own. If you want one, the Linktree versus subdomain guide explains how to combine the two.
When to buy the domain after all
Buy it if the name is your brand or your business, if you are going to ask clients to pay you or trust that address, or if you need DNS records of your own, for example to verify the domain with another service.
And it isn't a decision for life. You can start with a subdomain and, the day you buy the domain, redirect the old name to the new one so you don't lose the links you already handed out.
If you want your site and your email under your name, a subdomain covers nearly everything, and your platform's name is enough for a quick site. Buy the domain when the name is a brand or a business.