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The Top Five Domain Registrars

Domain.com Logo

Domain.com

Best domain registrar for unique extensions

5.0 5.0 Stars
  • Variety of TLDs
  • Pre-registration option
  • 24/7 customer support

Summary

  • Starting price
    • $1 for the first year
  • Automation tools
    Yes
  • Collaboration tools
    Yes
  • Reporting
    Yes
  • Integrations
    Yes
  • Free trial or demo
    Yes
Domain.com is a straightforward solution for purchasing domain names and developing your internet presence. The platform provides integrated services, making it one of the best domain registrars on the market for various business applications. Its solutions are affordable and easy to use, providing various tools to safeguard yourself and your site's users using SSL certificates and enhanced domain privacy and protection.


I found over 300 new TLDs active on Domain.com, making it one of the best bets if you're looking for unique domain extensions. The platform was very simple to use and offered low-priced registration plans that could be tailored to my specific requirements with features like a free SSL certificate and optional domain privacy and protection.

Domain.com includes WHOIS domain privacy, which hides your personal information from search engine crawlers and provides you control over who has access. Its domain transfer lock adds an extra degree of security by preventing domain theft or transfer.

DomainCentral, the platform's own Control Panel, is feature-rich and straightforward. I could easily jump on free consultation sessions with industry experts to discuss my specific goals and develop a plan that meets them. Sessions usually included a live demonstration of site management tools and a plan of marketing initiatives, as well as monthly follow-ups to ensure your satisfaction.

Who is Domain.com best for?

For those looking for a simple, hassle-free domain purchasing process with plenty of unique extensions, I recommend Domain.com. The registrar is budget-friendly and reliable and offers the right analytics and management tools to help build your website from scratch.

Recent updates to Domain.com

Domain.com consistently raises the bar for user-friendliness and speed of response by updating its interface to improve clients' experience. The platform is constantly adding new services, such as enhanced email, instant messaging, and video chat options, to better serve its customers.

Domain.com pricing

In terms of domain name registration fees, Domain.com is competitively priced. For the first year, you can register a .com domain for as little as $9.99 and a .net domain for $12.99. A .me domain is available for $3.99 for the first year, while a .store one is the cheapest at just $1 per year.

Pros and cons of Domain.com

Pros

  • Extensive TLD options
  • Competitive pricing

Cons

  • High renewal cost
    Hostinger-logo

    Hostinger

    Best domain registrar for beginners

    4.8 4.8 Stars
    • WordPress optimized
    • Custom dashboard

    Summary

    • Starting price
      • $0.99 per year when registering for 2 years or more
    • Automation tools
      Yes
    • Collaboration tools
      Yes
    • Reporting
      Yes
    • Integrations
      Yes
    • Free trial or demo
      Yes
    Hostinger is a reputable Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)-accredited domain registrar that provides one of the highest-quality web hosting services. As your business expands, Hostinger's many available plan upgrades may be an intelligent choice for novice and experienced users.


    I found Hostinger’s platform extremely straightforward and easy to understand. It requires no technical expertise to set up and can be used immediately after creating an account. The domain registrar is recognized by ICANN and is utilized by millions worldwide.

    From a first-time web host’s point of view, I felt Hostinger’s rates were pretty fair. If you want to save money on your first year’s domain registration, consider choosing a hosting plan that includes a free domain registration for one year. Hostinger’s hosting packages also include plenty of space and bandwidth, as well as extras like an SSL certificate, regular software updates, and business email accounts.

    Who is Hostinger best for?

    Hostinger's affordability and user-friendly interface make it a good choice for budding business owners. Considering it was built with beginners in mind, Hostinger is a breeze to operate. Host, domain, and SSL configurations are all handled by automated wizards.

    Recent updates to Hostinger

    Hostinger seems to place a high focus on continuously having new and ongoing promos on the domain registrar front, particularly during Black Friday and the holiday season. Furthermore, I noticed a recent increase in the number of TLDs it supports and I expect that trend to continue growing in the coming months.

    Hostinger pricing

    Domain extensions such as .online, .shop, and .tech can be purchased at a starting price of $0.99 per year. In comparison, .info can be purchased for $3.99 per year, and .com is available for $9.99 per year. Also, if you sign up for a new hosting package for your website, you can get your domain name registered for free for the first year.

    Pros and cons of Hostinger

    Pros

    • All-in-one website solution
    • Domains as low as $0.99 per year

    Cons

    • No phone support
      GoDaddy Green Logo

      GoDaddy

      Best domain registrar

      4.0 4.0 Stars
      • Supports multiple payment options
      • WHOIS privacy
      • SEO ready

      Summary

      • Starting price
        • $0.01 per year when registering for 2 years or more
      • Automation tools
        Yes
      • Collaboration tools
        Yes
      • Reporting
        Yes
      • Integrations
        Yes
      • Free trial or demo
        Yes
      GoDaddy is one of the most well-known names in the world of domain registrars, with millions of active websites on its servers. The domain provider consistently exceeds expectations at a reasonable price and adapts to meet the evolving demands of its clientele.


      With GoDaddy, you can choose from a diversity of domain extensions and create up to 500 subdomains. I found the domain search bar user-friendly, as I searched for up to 2,000 domains simultaneously.

      During the registration process, GoDaddy offered me additional services in site hosting, email marketing, e-commerce design, WordPress integration, and domain brokering. I liked seeing that the platform delivers continuous real-time monitoring to verify domains are always functioning properly. I also set up automatic renewal, which protects against data loss from an expired subscription.

      Another plus is that it provides essential WHOIS privacy protection to prevent domain hijackers, with premiums enabling more security. All the plans include defense against spam emails and fraudulent domain transfers. I found it reassuring that GoDaddy stretches domain renewal periods to prevent billing glitches and expired credit cards.

      Who is GoDaddy best for?

      GoDaddy is a solid domain registrar for complete newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. The affordable price, intuitive interface, and tools, such as SSLs and SEO readiness, make it a good option for starting or growing a website, blog, or online store.

      Recent upgrades to GoDaddy

      GoDaddy has just updated its user interface (UI) to improve the customer experience, setting a new standard for user-friendliness and responsive service. A new "Buy Now" landing page is one of the recent enhancements to GoDaddy's aftermarket domain sales experience.

      GoDaddy’s domain extension starting prices

      GoDaddy pricing

      GoDaddy domain registration prices depend on the name and extension, but you can register a .com for as little as $0.01 per year. Further domain protection, email essentials, and other added features are available.

      Pros and cons of GoDaddy

      Pros

      • Bulk domain search
      • Over 500 domain extensions
      • Efficient email marketing

      Cons

      • Renewals can be expensive
      • Lots of upselling
        Network Solutions Logo

        Network Solutions

        Best for longevity

        5.0 5.0 Stars
        • Reliable
        • Registration up to 100 years
        • Expert assistance

        Summary

        • Starting price
          • $25 per year (24-month minimum)
        • Automation tools
          Yes
        • Collaboration tools
          Yes
        • Reporting
          Yes
        • Integrations
          Yes
        • Free trial or demo
          Yes
        Dubbed as 'the Internet's domain provider' in the 90s, Network Solutions remains a frontrunner among the best registrars. In addition to registering and managing domain names, the platform provides other services, including a website builder, heightened security, and email and cloud hosting. Still, it often directs users to its sister brand, Web.com.


        Network Solutions allowed me to register a domain for anything between one year and a century. This is a fantastic choice if you're a brand intending to stay in business for the long haul and looking for ways to establish credibility.

        I didn’t find the platform’s UI the most innovative compared to the best domain registrars. Maybe it's just a marketing ploy to show everyone the firm has been around from the beginning.

        Prices aren't the lowest. But Network Solutions provided me with certainty after having demonstrated to everyone it can survive the test of time — something essential if you're looking to entrust someone with the foundation of your company's online presence.

        Apart from domain names, I could easily purchase various tools for additional premiums, including hosting, SSL certificates, email, and marketing means. It also has the backing of its operating site, Web.com, another highly valid reason to consider this registrar. Last but not least, I liked the company’s habit of providing the first month of many of its services for free as a trial to anybody still testing the waters.

        Who is Network Solutions best for?

        Network Solutions could be a good choice if you regard stability and durability as an investment in your website's future. With the most outstanding track record of any registrar, it is a safe bet this company will be around for a while, offering long-term domain registration options such as those valid for 100 years.

        Recent updates to Network Solutions

        Network Solutions launched professional services, including Pro Website, Pro Online Store, Pro SEO, and Pro Business Directories for customers who want advanced features for their business with guidance from trained experts. The Account Manager on the platform has recently been overhauled with modern features and a slick UI to make product management simpler than ever before.

        Network Solutions pricing

        Network Solutions offers popular domain extensions like .com, .net, .org, .biz, and .co domain for $25 per year.

        Pros and cons of Network Solutions

        Pros

        • Free website builder
        • Informative help center
        • Long-term solution

        Cons

        • Numerous upsells
          Namecheap-Logo

          Namecheap

          Best independent domain registration provider

          3.4 3.4 Stars
          • Budget-friendly
          • Quality support
          • Great uptime

          Summary

          • Starting price
            • $1.98 per year
          • Automation tools
            Yes
          • Collaboration tools
            Yes
          • Reporting
            Yes
          • Integrations
            Yes
          • Free trial or demo
            Yes
          Namecheap is an ICANN-accredited independent domain registrar that has branched out to offer various related services, including hosting. It’s a well-established domain registrar with a long history of success and a solid reputation within the industry, mostly known for its founder-driven culture and transparency.


          Namecheap is compatible with a range of domain name extensions. The registrar enabled me to easily register and transfer existing domains to the company's platform while providing exceptional privacy protection for WHOIS registrations at no additional expense.

          Namecheap has one of the widest selections of TLDs available. Any domain name you can think of can be looked up on the site, and if it's for sale, you can buy it instantly. If you're looking for many different domain names, Namecheap can handle up to 5,000 searches simultaneously.

          Who is Namecheap best for?

          After extensive analysis, I found Namecheap to be an ideal domain registrar for small to midsize businesses (SMBs) and large-scale companies. The service provider stands out in the market because of its free domain privacy, reasonable registration fees, and pocket-friendly renewal charges.

          Recent updates to Namecheap

          Regular domain availability checks, WHOIS improvements, and the introduction of brand-new features are some of the ways Namecheap has recently improved. Because of its often-updated domain administration system, you'll likely have no trouble quickly putting together a website for your business.

          Namecheap pricing

          As the company offers so many TLDs, domains on Namecheap come in all sorts of prices. A .com domain can be purchased for $6.98 for the first year, while .US is available for $2.98 per year.

          Pros and cons of Namecheap

          Pros

          • Transparent pricing
          • Easy onboarding

          Cons

          • Complex UI
          • No phone support

            How I Tested the Best Domain Registrars

            I test each domain registrar by signing up and purchasing a plan to check out what each provider offers new users. I weigh the details and rank each domain registrar based on the quality of its features and how transparent the company is regarding its product. 

            It's crucial to pick a domain registrar you can trust, so I focus on whether each provider presents its products honestly, clearly, and transparently. In my tests, this is easy to pick up on as I compare the list of features each company claims it offers to what I have access to when using its service. 

            Lastly, the personal experience I had after signing up with each provider is the foundation for reviewing the best domain registrars. On each company's homepage, I looked up the accessibility of a keyword in conjunction with a domain extension. The system then displayed the keyword's availability, along with the company's pricing structure and any optional extras. 

            I analyzed rates to see if each domain registrar offers a service that is a fair value for your money and made sure the service included all the features it claimed to offer.

            Each domain registrar has been selected based on its being at the top of its game for one aspect of service or another.