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Whether you register your domain name independently or with a web hosting company, we’ve tested the leading domain registrars for critical factors, including cost, domain security, and customer support.
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Starts at $2.95 per month
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Best security and scalability
Starts at $3.75 per month
- All types of hosting
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The easiest option
Starts at $2.75 per month
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Best Domain Registrars: Our Shortlist
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Best for Beginners
Best for Privacy
Best for Long-Term Registrations
Best Independent Registrar
Digital.com dives deep into every topic it covers to offer trusted and reliable recommendations for the best business tools. See how we review domain registrars.
Tips From an Expert
You can bundle with hosting, but you don’t have to.
When registering a domain name, make sure to work with a company you can trust. Many people like to register their web host to make it easy, but you certainly don’t have to. When deciding, look for a domain name registrar or web hosting provider with a good reputation that offers technical support when you need it.
The Top Domain Registrars of 2023
Features
- Variety of TLDs
- Pre-registration option
- 24/7 customer support
#1 Top Pick for 2023
We chose Domain.com as the best domain registrar for its 24/7 support, web hosting features, and pre-registration options.
Price for a .com
$9.99 for the first year
Free with Hosting?
Yes
Free WHOIS Privacy
No
Number of TLDs
300+
Read More
Reasons to choose Domain.com
- Extensive list of TLDs
- Free if you bundle with hosting
- Comparable pricing
- Easy management tools
Reasons to avoid
- High renewal rates
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 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 offers 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 extra security by preventing domain theft or transfer.
The platform’s 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?
I recommend Domain.com to those looking for a simple, hassle-free domain purchasing process with plenty of unique extensions. 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
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 $1.99 per year.
Features
- Free WHOIS privacy protection
- Hosting plans optimized for WordPress
- Intuitive custom control panel
Price for a .com
$9.99 for the first year
Free with Hosting?
Yes, on most plans
Free WHOIS Privacy
Yes
Number of TLDs
150+
Read More
Reasons to choose Hostinger
- Affordable hosting plans
- Beginner-friendly control panel
- Reasonable renewal rates
- Free WHOIS privacy
- Some domains as low as $0.99/year
Reasons to avoid
- Not as many TLDs
- No phone support
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 domain registration platform extremely straightforward and easy to understand. It requires no technical expertise 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 and 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 focuses on continuously offering new and ongoing promos. 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. Or 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.
Features
- Supports multiple payment methods
- Includes free WHOIS privacy for life
- Real-time error monitoring
Price for a .com
$11.99 for the first year
Free with Hosting?
Yes, on all plans
Free WHOIS Privacy
Yes
Number of TLDs
500+
Read More
Reasons to choose GoDaddy
- Easy bulk domain search
- More than 500 extensions
- Free WHOIS privacy for life
- User-friendly interface
Reasons to avoid
- More expensive than others
- High renewal rate
- Lots of upselling
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 various 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 registration, 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 interfaces, and tools, such as SSLs and SEO readiness, make it a good option for starting or growing a website, blog, or online store. - Recent updates 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 pricing
GoDaddy domain registration prices depend on the name and extension, but you can register a .com for $11.99 per year, including a free website builder and basic domain privacy and protection. Further domain protection, email essentials, and other added features are available at additional cost.
Best for Long-Term Registrations
Features
- Free WHOIS privacy for one month
- Try hosting free for a month with any domain
- Register for up to 10 years in advance
Price for a .com
$20 per year
Free with Hosting?
Yes, on all plans
Free WHOIS Privacy
For one month
Number of TLDs
450+
Read More
Reasons to choose Network Solutions
- Register for 10 years
- Expiration protection
- Free month of hosting
- 25 years in the industry
- No renewal price increase
Reasons to avoid
- Confusing checkout
- Expensive compared to others
- WHOIS privacy is only free for a month
Dubbed ‘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 parent company, Web.com.
Network Solutions allowed me to register a domain for up to a century at $20 per year. This is a fantastic choice if you have a brand intending to stay in business for the long haul and are looking for ways to establish credibility.
I didn’t find the platform’s UI the most innovative compared to the best domain registrars, but Network Solutions provided me with certainty after demonstrating it can survive the test of time — something essential if you’re looking to establish 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. Network Solutions 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 at a range of different price points with no renewal hikes. However, the checkout process is confusing and potentially misleading.
Features
- Very cost-effective hosting options
- Cheap introductory domain pricing
- Free WHOIS privacy protection
Price for a .com
$5.98 for the first year
Free with Hosting?
Some TLDs, but not all
Free WHOIS Privacy
Yes
Number of TLDs
500+
Read More
Reasons to choose Namecheap
- Transparent pricing
- Free WHOIS privacy forever
- Strong customer service
- Cost-effective hosting
- Cheap introductory rates
Reasons to avoid
- Complex UI
- No phone support
- Hosting plans only provide a free domain for specific TLDs (none of which are a .com)
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.
I was able to use Beast Mode, which is a superpowered domain search. Namecheap’s Beast mode enabled me to enter up to 5,000 domains or keywords with a price range of $0 to $500,000 and more than 1,100 top-level domain extensions.
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. Domain registrations include free forever domain privacy.
- Who is Namecheap best for?
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 is available for $5.98 for the first year, while TLDs such as .xyz cost just $0.99 for the first year.
Compare Domain Registrars
Domain Name Registrar
Why You Should Choose It
Price of a .com
Best Overall
- Variety of TLDs
- Pre-registration option
- 24/7 customer support
Free with hosting or $9.99 for the first year
Best for Beginners
- Free WHOIS privacy protection
- Hosting plans optimized for WordPress
- Intuitive custom control panel
Free with hosting or $9.99 for the first year
Best for Privacy
- Supports multiple payment methods
- Includes free WHOIS privacy for life
- Real-time error monitoring
Free with hosting or $11.99 for the first year
Long-Term Registrations
- Free WHOIS privacy for one month
- Try hosting free for a month with any domain
- Register for up to 10 years in advance
Free with hosting or $20 for the first year
Best Independent Registrar
- Very cost-effective hosting options
- Cheap introductory domain pricing
- Free WHOIS privacy protection
$5.98 for the first year
What You Need to Know
What does a domain registrar do?
A domain registrar reserves your domain name online and assigns an IP address to your domain name.
Does it matter which domain registrar I use?
Domain management, features, and price vary between registrars, but it really doesn’t matter–you’ll be able to register a domain name, keep your information private, and manage your domain name settings no matter which one you choose.
Can you buy a domain name forever?
It’s not possible to buy a domain name permanently, but you can register a domain for up to 100 years.
Do I have to pay for my domain name every year?
Domain names require annual renewal, but you can pay for domain registration for multiple years at a time.
Can you get a free domain name?
Many web hosting companies offer free domain registration for the first year when you sign up for a hosting plan. But you’ll need to start paying for it after the first year is up.
How We Review Domain Name 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.
I visited each provider to test:
Learn more about our review methodology.