We have registered some websites over the years and hence have worked with famous and not so popular domain registrars.
To create this list of the best domain registrars such as GoDaddy, Namecheap, Domain.com, Bluehost, etc., we revisited the sites and searched for available domain names. Then we compared the providers on a variety of qualities including cost, support, features, ease of use and trust score (correlation between positive & negative reviews on the web).
We made sure only to include best domain registrars that provide exceptional services. We didn’t care for the name or popularity but only for the quality.
We selected the ten best domain registrars to help you pick one. They’re all excellent at what they do and have very few differences among them. Most registrars offer basic services (domain name) at the same rate but differ in terms of additional features and customer support. Let’s have a look at our top ten picks listed below.
When it comes to reliability, few can give domain.com competition. Founded in 2000, it is one of the largest domain registrars out there that offers both Linux and Windows server varieties.
You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions. While it doesn’t let you get in touch with the owner, in case a domain is taken, it does give you suggestions to help you pick another option.
The interface is quite easy to use, and the company is also known for coming up with some exciting offers from time to time. Plus, you get to enjoy a free domain name if you pick any of the hosting packages.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 9.99 | 12.99 | 14.99 | 9.99 | 2.99 |
Renewals | 11.99 | 15.99 | 14.99 | 49.99 | 14.99 |
As the name suggests, Namecheap promotes itself as an affordable company, and it’s not wrong in saying so. Namecheap is among the cheapest domain registrars out there with features on par with some of the best domain registrars.
This ICANN-accredited company has found a good foothold in the industry in a very short period. You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions. However, it doesn’t offer many fun extensions that some other options on this list do.
It has even won the ‘Best Domain Name Registrar’ several times and currently has over seven million domains under its banner. The company offers no phone support, and the only way to get in touch is via emails or live chat. The latter, however, seems to be a good option since agents are quite helpful.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 8.88 | 12.98 | 12.98 | 4.99 | 1.99 |
Renewals | 10.98 | 12.98 | 12.98 | 48.88 | 12.88 |
With over 17 million customers and 75 million additional domain names, GoDaddy is our number pick. The company, launched in 1997, is known for a lot of things including some fun commercials.
It offers rapid registration and has good customer support as well. It’s a very well known name yet it’s still among the most affordable options. However, prices typically go up when you decide to renew the domain name.
You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions. Registering is a piece of cake, but the interface can be a bit difficult at first.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 11.99 | 13.99 | 11.99 | 4.99 | 2.99 |
Renewals | 17.99 | 19.99 | 20.99 | 79.99 | 21.99 |
SiteGround is known more like a hosting provider, but it ranks quite well as a registrar as well. Despite not being ICANN-accredited, it has quite a good following thanks to its low prices and some kickass features.
One of the largest reasons why it’s so popular is due to it being one of the recommended web hosting companies by WordPress.org. It’s highly reliable and offers exceptional customer support. Plus, you can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even rarely-found country-specific extensions.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 15.95 | 17.95 | 17.95 | – | 17.99 |
Renewals | 15.95 | 17.95 | 17.95 | – | 17.99 |
Bluehost is among the most popular hosting companies out there, but very few people know that it offers domain registration services as well. Being WordPress’ official hosting partner has helped the company grow a huge following.
The interface is straightforward to use, and the prices are also quite affordable. You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions.
It’s the best option if you have a WP site since it gives special discounts to WordPress members making it a breeze to run your website.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 11.99 | 12.99 | 8.99 | 9.99 | 11.99 |
Renewals | 15.99 | 16.99 | 15.99 | 34.99 | 15.99 |
The company came into being in 1994 and enjoys quite a good following today with over 2.5 million domain names under its umbrella. It was among the first few companies to have been accredited by ICANN, hence has quite a reputation in the industry.
Register.com offers about 300 domain name extensions, which is among the largest out there. Its customer support is quite good but users are looking for a live chat experience might be a bit disappointed since it does not offer this option.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 5 | 12.23 | 10.63 | – | 12.30 |
Renewals | 8.88 | – | – | – | – |
Founded by William Mushkin, name.com kickstarted in 2003 and now has over two million domain names under its control.
You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions. Its customer service is great, and the staff is also amiable, however, phone and live chat support options are only available five days a week during office hours. This may be troublesome for users who also intend to buy hosting from the company.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 8.99 | 10.99 | 12.99 | 5.99 | 13.99 |
Renewals | 12.99 | 14.99 | 12.99 | 59.99 | 13.99 |
With a market share of about 3.6%, eNom is quite the underdog. This ICANN-accredited company has offices all around the world. You can choose from a large variety of extensions including .com, .net, and .info. However, it does not have an extensive collection of country-specific extensions.
eNom is said to be more suitable for big corporations due to their wide range of services that appear to be targeted towards commercial clients.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 13.95 | 18 | 14.75 | – | 18 |
Renewals | 13.95 | 18 | 16.16 | – | 18 |
Hover is one of the few companies that only offer name registration services and no website hosting. While this may be a con for some, it proves how serious the company is about domain registration.
It offers a wide selection of extensions including .com, .net, .info, and even country-specific extensions. The company is very transparent about prices and makes it a breeze to choose your favorite domain name.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 12.99 | 15.49 | 13.99 | 7.99 | 13.49 |
Renewals | 14.99 | 17.99 | 15.99 | 64.99 | 15.49 |
If you want to try some different extensions like .guru and .repair then Network Solution can be a good problem. It offers a wide range of extensions including classics such as .com and .net
The company offers pre-registration and also lets you run a bulk search to find your next domain name easily.
Period (1 year) | .com, $ | .net, $ | .org, $ | .store, $ | .info, $ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Registration | 34.99 | 34.99 | 34.99 | 79.99 | 34.99 |
Renewals | – | – | – | – | – |
Name | .com | Transfer | ICANN | WHOIS | SSL | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Domain.com | $9.99 | $8.88 | Yes | $8.99 | $35.99 |
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2. Nameсheap | $8.88 | Free | Yes | Free | $7.88 |
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3. GoDaddy | $11.99 | $7.99 | Yes | $8.99 | $35.99 |
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4. SiteGround | $15.95 | Free | No | Free | Free |
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5. Bluehost | $11.99 | Free | No | $14.88 | Free |
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6. Register.com | $5 | $12 | Yes | $11 | $13.25 |
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7. Name.com | $8.99 | $8.25 | Yes | $4.99 | $9.99 |
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8. eNom | $13.95 | $13.95 | Yes | Free | $12.95 |
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9. Hover | $12.99 | $12.99 | No | Free | Free |
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10. Network Solutions | $34.99 | $9.99 | Yes | $9.99 | $29.99 |
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Unlike other projects of this nature, we signed up for domain registrar service from each of the providers on this list.
Analyzed their terms of service to root out any hidden or unfair clauses. We used each service until we knew it inside and out and noted how easy it was to sign up, navigate the back-end system. We also set up test domain and check all key features like ICANN Accredited, WHOIS Protection, Cost for all popular TLDs, BBB Rating, Transfer & SSL price.
One of the most vital factors of any domain registrar is its customer support. That’s why we made a point of communicating with the support staff of each of our top-10 providers. We evaluated the service based on response times, technical knowledge, and more.
Finally, we rated each registrar on a scale of one to ten for price, features, reliability, support, and trust score. We totaled up each service’s score and ranked them accordingly.
While the options mentioned above are good, it’s still important to make an informed decision. Let’s have a look at eight things to consider when selecting a domain registrar:
Shortened for The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is an organization that regulates and monitors the industry. It’s recommended that you opt for a company that’s ICANN-accredited to ensure that you’re in safe hands because accredited registrars have to meet certain standards which helps ensure quality. Most companies we listed above are accredited, hence safe to work with.
It’s essential to be clear about prices because, in some cases, you do not always pay what you see. A company might offer $2 for a .com domain but that may be only to lure buyers, i.e.: it might be a special offer for the first year or the price may be for specific domains.
Most companies have different renewal prices. Plus, some may even include additional charges for WHOIS privacy and other such features. Make sure to have a clear look at the invoice and pricing to ensure you do not end up paying more than what you should.
Most companies offer a minimum 1-year registration, but some may have more extended minimum periods. Moreover, you may also be able to avail discounts if you register for a longer duration. However, opt for it only if you intend to keep the same url in the long-run.
Also, ensure the company accepts your payment method as some companies may not take all payment methods such as PayPal and credit cards.
If you’re working with a domain registrar, but you’re not happy with their service or range of products then you have the option to transfer your domain to another registrar. Almost all companies offer domain registration; however you cannot transfer your domain within 60 days of registration.
Some companies may charge you a fee for transfers while some may offer free transfers. Have a look at the domain transfer policy to be on the safe side.
Security is of huge concern when it comes to domain registration. Plus, with changing Google’s policy, it’s also often a necessity to get SSL certificates and other such features. Hence, pay attention to what kind of security features a registrar offers before you make a decision.
Imagine building a brand and losing your domain to someone else. This can be a nightmare and the best option is to either opt for auto-renewals or protection. The former requires that you keep your payment details stored with the company and the latter requires an additional fee in most cases.
Moreover, have a look at the expiration policy. Some companies offer a grace period after the expiry giving you enough time to secure the name.
When you choose a domain registrar, you should pay attention to what all it offers. Some companies have a plethora of add-ons and some offer just basic services.
We suggest you go for a company that offers a bunch of add-ons, even if you don’t currently intend to use any, as you may need some additional services in the future. These include domain parking, domain privacy, email hosting service, and much more.
Also, be careful about what add-on services you pay for as some registrars may automatically charge you for a few services. Hence pay attention to the price.
A .com domain should be between $10-$15, and if it costs more, then it might include add-on services that came pre-checked. Make sure to uncheck the services that you do not require. You can always buy them later on.
Make sure to keep an eye on cheaper packages and hidden costs. For example, you may be able to save a lot of money if you decide to buy hosting with the same company. Also, look for discount codes and special offers that can help you save money.
You can even use the live chat feature to get in touch with the company and inquire if special discounts are available.
Also, do not blindly trust advertised prices. Most companies have low prices for the first year, and the renewal costs are often higher. Other than this, there are hidden charges for some additional features that send the cost steamrolling.
Customer support is more important than you think. You do not realize it until you are in need of help. Most domain name registrars seem to have realized the importance of customer service and many now offer 24/7 help. However, some still only work during office hours or have limited options.
If you’re only registering a domain name, then you may not require many assistant, but if you intend to buy additional packages, such as hosting, then this point can be of huge importance. So be careful about what kind of customer service a company offers.
It is a company that has been accredited by the ICANN or a national country code top-level domain to register domain names for users. However, not all domain name registrars may be accredited.
A domain name registrar mainly register a domain name, on your behalf, with the authorities. Legitimate names are accredited and assigned IPs by the ICANN. You cannot register a domain without the assistance of a registrar.
Bluehost is more popularly known as a web hosting company; however it also offers domain name registration services. Hence, it is indeed a domain registrar.
The two often get complicated. Think from a practical perspective. Your domain name is the URL or name of your site. For example, cnn.com but the content that appears on CNN has to be kept somewhere, i.e.: the host. You will have to purchase hosting separately to ensure you can keep the content up as well. A domain name is useless if you have no hosting and vice versa.
The process is very simple:
Many other services can also help you find the name of the registrar. It’s a quick and free process.
Yes, you can, but it will not be of much use. The domain name you register will be your property for the specified period, but it will have no content until you choose a hosting plan and put up some content. You can, however, choose to host your site on a free hosting provider.
These were top 10 best domain name registrars. They are known for not only their affordable prices but also exceptional services and customer support. While they’re all good, the right one largely depends on your needs and budget.
GoDaddy is our personal favorite as it has everything that you expect from a domain registrar. Plus, it’s also famous for its low prices and special discounted rates for new customers.
However, if you want a truly affordable option then try NameCheap. It offers low prices and some great features. Register.com is another great option if you want low rates.
You have the option to transfer domain names if you’re not happy with the service, it’s better to be careful when you first choose one so that you do not have to deal with the hassle of transferring domains. We hope this guide helps you come to an informed decision.