When it comes to purchasing a new domain name, where should you start your search? With over 2400 ICANN-registered domain registrars to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide on the best domain registrar for your needs.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the top ten domain registrars based on their reputation, features, pricing and customer support. Whether you’re looking for peak affordability, dazzling customer support, easy-to-use interfaces or reliable security measures, you’re sure to find a domain registrar on this list that meets your specific requirements.
What is a domain registrar and what do they do?
A domain registrar is a company or organization that manages the registration of domain names on the internet. Domain names are unique addresses that are used to identify websites on the internet, such as “google.com.” When you want to register a domain name for your website, you’ll need to go through a domain registrar.
A domain registrar also:
Provides a platform for you to search and register available domain names.
Ensures that domain names are unique and available for new registration.
Allocates IP addresses via DNS.
So, in short, domain registrars are essential for establishing and maintaining an online presence.
Things to consider when choosing a domain registrar
For those choosing a domain registrar, there are several factors to consider to ensure that you select a company that meets your specific needs. Here are some of the things you’ll want to consider:
Price: Domain registrars charge different fees for domain registration, renewal, and transfer. Compare the prices of different domain registrars to find one that offers affordable rates (and make sure that you’re checking beyond the first-year pricing).
Features: Different domain registrars offer various features such as domain privacy, email hosting, SSL certificates and website building tools. Additionally, consider the TLD (Top Level Domain) that you want to purchase, as not all domain registrars offer the same TLD selection.
Reputation: Consider the reputation of the domain registrar. Look for reviews and feedback from other users to get an idea of the company’s reliability.
Customer support: Make sure that the domain registrar offers reliable customer support. Choose a company that provides different support channels, such as phone, email and live chat.
Security: Ensure that the domain registrar provides adequate security measures to protect your domain name and personal information from cyber threats.
Domain transfer policy: Check the domain transfer policy of the domain registrar. Choose a company that allows easy domain transfers in case you decide to switch to a different registrar in the future.
User interface: Select a domain registrar with an easy-to-use user interface that allows you to manage your domain name easily and efficiently.
By considering these factors, you can choose a domain registrar that provides the features, pricing and support that you need for your new domain name.
10 of the best domain name registrars*
Now that we’ve covered the basics of what domain name registrars can provide, let’s take a deeper look at each of the top domain registrars in 2023.
GoDaddy
Namecheap
Google
Dynadot
IONOS
Hostinger
Name.com
Domain.com
Network Solutions
Bluehost
1. GoDaddy
Based in Tempe, Arizona, GoDaddy was founded in 1997 and, with over 84 million registered domain names, they are the largest domain name registrar globally.
Snapshot of services
GoDaddy pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Free domain privacy is included with domain registrations.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99 and include one year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: GoDaddy’s domain registrations include a free site builder, free domain privacy, a free logo maker tool, and free domain-based pay links to allow users to collect payments without a website. Additional services, such as hosting, email and DIFY web solutions are also available. GoDaddy offers 24/7 customer support in multiple countries as well.
2. Namecheap
Namecheap, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is a domain registrar that was founded in 2001 and has over 18 million domain names registered through their services.
Snapshot of services
Namecheap pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Namecheap offers free domain name privacy for their registered domains.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.76 and include one year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Namecheap offers 24/7 support, hosting and email products, as well as paid social and review management services. With domain purchases, they offer trial versions of their Social Media Manager, Business Email and Review Manager.
3. Google
Google Domains, part of Alphabet Inc. in Mountain View, California, launched its domain registrar services in 2015 and currently holds over 9 million registered domain names.
Snapshot of services
Google pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Google provides free domain privacy for domains.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $12 plus tax and include one year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Google offers integration with their Google Workspace, auto-linking with popular web design tools, free DNSSEC, free email forwarding and DNS export options.
4. Dynadot
Based in San Mateo, California, Dynadot is a domain registrar that was founded in 2002 and currently boasts over 4 million registered domain names.
Snapshot of services
Dynadot pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is included free with Dynadot domains.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $10.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Dynadot offers free versions of their email and website services with domain purchases.
5. IONOS
Initially known as 1&1 for over 30 years, they rebranded their company as IONOS in 2018 and currently hold over 5 million domain name registrations through their services (as well as being the largest hosting provider in Europe).
Snapshot of services
IONOS pricing:
WHOIS privacy: IONOS includes free domain privacy for their domain names.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are free. Outgoing transfers also do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: A free SSL certificate email account is included with domain purchases. IONOS also offers hosting, ecommerce and site builder services, along with 24/7 customer support.
6. Hostinger
Founded in 2011, Hostinger is an employee-owned hosting provider that currently has 1.4 million registered domain names. Based in Lithuania, their company also owns other brands, such as Zyro Website Builder and Niaga Hosting.
Snapshot of services
Hostinger pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is included for free with Hostinger.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $8.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Hostinger offers hosting, VPS and email services for their customers. Their chat support team is available 24/7.
7. Name.com
Based in Denver, Colorado, Name.com is a domain and hosting provider that was founded in 2003 and currently manages over 2 million domain names.
Snapshot of services
Name.com pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is $4.99 per year, per eligible domain name.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Name.com offers partnerships with Wix and Google Workspace, as well as cloud hosting and SSL certificates.
8. Domain.com
Founded in 1999 and based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Domain.com is a domain and hosting provider that currently has almost 2 million domains registered through them.
Snapshot of services
Domain.com pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is $8.99 per year, per eligible domain.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Domain.com offers site builders, email, email marketing and hosting services.
9. Network Solutions
Network Solutions has been around in the domain name industry since before ICANN existed, operating via a partnership with the US Defense Information Systems Agency to manage domain registrations in 1991. They currently have over 6 million domain names registered.
Snapshot of services
Network Solutions pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is $9.99 per yer, per eligible domain.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Network Solutions offers hosting, site builders, ecommerce, email, marketing and IT services.
10. Bluehost
Headquartered in Orem, Utah, Bluehost was founded in 2003 and is primarily a hosting provider that also offers domains.
Snapshot of services
Bluehost pricing:
WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy with Bluehost is $15 per year, per eligible domain.
Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are free. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
Additional services: Bluehost is a hosting provider with hosting, servers, email and DIFY services. They also offer 24/7 support.
Finding the best domain registrar for your needs
Choosing the best domain registrar is an important step in establishing and maintaining an online presence. In order to find the right registrar for your needs, it’s essential to consider the full company, based on your own requirements. Not every provider is going to have a range of services that will meet everyone’s needs.
While comparing prices of different domain registrars can help you find the most affordable option, there are other factors you’ll want to keep in mind. For example, checking the company’s reputation and customer support can ensure that you’ve selected a reliable and trustworthy registrar. Also, is their website easy to use? Can you find their contact information?
Another factor to consider would be any other services that they offer, such as email hosting and website building tools, which can provide added value and give you an all-in-one domain solution.
Hopefully, our guide has given you some helpful information to get you started on finding the best domain registrar for you or your business. By selecting a domain registrar that fits your requirements, you can ensure that your website has a strong foundation and is positioned for success in the future.
Related FAQ about Domain Name Registrars
Who is the largest domain registrar?
GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar, with over 84 million registered domain names.
Which domain registrars offer the best privacy options?
Most domain registrars include domain name privacy, as well as 2-factor authentication for accounts set up through them. Domain privacy, also known as WHOIS privacy, is a service provided by domain registrars to protect the privacy and personal information of domain name owners. This feature helps keep owner information private and out of the hands of scammers.
Some domain registrars go a step further and offer domain protection services, which is an additional lock to prevent unauthorized domain transfers away.
Do all registrars offer the same domain extensions?
No, not all registrars have the same domain extensions available. Most tend to offer more common domain extensions, but if you have a particular gTLD in mind, you’ll need to be sure that your domain registrar offers it.
Does it really matter which domain registrar I use?
Not all domain registrars are the same. Some offer more free services with domain names, while others do not. For example, many domain name registrars offer free WHOIS privacy, but it’s an extra fee at other domain registrars. You’ll want to be sure that you choose a domain registrar that will fit your needs.
Can I use more than one domain registrar?
Using more than one domain registrar for your domains is not necessary, but it’s certainly a matter of personal preference and specific needs. In general, most website owners and businesses use a single domain registrar to manage their domain names, which simplifies the management process and reduces the risk of confusion or errors.
Regardless of whether you use one or multiple domain registrars, it’s important to keep your domain names organized and ensure that you have access to all your domains and registrar accounts. This includes keeping track of domain registration and expiration dates, maintaining accurate contact information, and regularly monitoring your domains for any unusual activity.
*Our team researched available plans and pricing on 3/13/2023. The prices are subject to change.
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