7 Best Domain Registrars of 2024 (Reviewed & Compared)

 

Choosing the right domain registrar is crucial if you want to create a website that looks professional online.

As a web developer, I’ve used lots of different domain registrars over the years.

There are hundreds of domain registrar companies, but each offers different services, functionalities and restrictions depending on your needs.

Whether you need a domain registrar for your personal or your business website, knowing how to choose the right one based on your needs is essential.

To help you find a solution that works for you, I ranked and reviewed the seven best domain registrars based on criteria such as price, reliability, performance, add-on services, support, domain expiration policies, hidden fees, and more.

 

What Are the Best Domain Registrars?

Here are my top picks for the best domain registrars that make you look like a pro.

 

All of these domain name registrars are ICANN-accredited, which means the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has officially certified them to sell domain names.

 

1. Domain.com – Best value for money

Domain.com is a complete web hosting and domain registrar platform with plenty of plans for businesses.

Key features of Domain.com include web hosting, custom domain names, email marketing, designing tools and SSL certification for the security of your website.

One of my favourite things about domain.com is that they can help you to transfer your existing domain to their platform without causing any downtime to your website. Plus, The platform also offers 24/7 customer service, which gives you step-by-step support during the domain transfer process.

Their average starting price is $9.99 per year and comes with everything you need to get your website running smoothly.

Domain.com is an excellent option for those looking to buy a cheap domain name and keep it for themselves.

All the domains come with:

• Free SSL certificate
• 24/7/365 customer support
• Transfer Lock Security – TLS
• Email and URL forwarding
• Scan for malware and monitor blacklists
• Full site backups

Pros

• Great customer support
• Affordable pricing options

Domain.com Pricing

• .com – $9.99 per year
• .co – $6.99 per year
• .net – $12.99 per year

 

Try Domain.com

 

2. Bluehost – Free domain when you buy hosting

Bluehost is an all-in-one solution for website hosting and domain registrar services, making it an excellent option for individuals and businesses.

It is an extremely easy-to-use platform with excellent tools to manage domains, run email marketing campaigns, and create beautiful and highly engaging websites.

One of the main reasons why small, medium and large businesses choose Bluehost is because they offer a free domain name, a free SSL certificate and excellent 24/7 customer support.

On top of that, they offer a variety of themes and plugins to enhance your website’s style and function, optimize search engine results, strengthen security and streamline shared web hosting operations.

Bluehost offers everything you’ll need to create and grow a successful website or blog at an affordable price.

Pros

• Intuitive domain management dashboard
• Free SSL certificate
• Free content delivery network (CDN)
• Auto-renewals
• 24/7 expert support
• They provide 24/7 expert support through calls, emails, and chat.
• 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Free domain name with all the hosting plans.

Bluehost Pricing

Free domain with hosting $2.75 / month

 

Try Bluehost

 

3. Namecheap – Best cheap domain registrar

Namecheap is another popular domain registration company on the market. It comes with an easy-to-use management console with an impressive domain search tool that helps you find the right domain name.

Namecheap stands out as an affordable domain registrar, offers domain name registration with discounted domain renewal prices and sometimes offers discount codes that allow you to get domain names at only $0.99.

On top of that, the platform offers domain transfers, SSL certificates, email, app integration, and web hosting bundles.

Their domain registration process is also simple — anyone can buy Namecheap products without struggle.

If you’re looking for the absolute lowest-cost domain registrar that offers free WHOIS protection, then Namecheap is a good option for you.

Pros

• Free hosting migration
• 24/7 expert support
• Auto-renewal to help you stay on track
• Free privacy protection
• Domain name security
• Full DNS access
• Free SSL certificate for one year

Namecheap pricing

• .com – $11.42 (currently on sale at $8.88)
• .net – $13.97
• .org – $11.42

 

Try Namecheap

 

4. NameSilo – Best for domain name registration and transfer in bulk

Namesilo is another ICANN-accredited domain registrar that offers some of the best prices on the market. It offers an easy-to-use DNS management dashboard that makes switching to various online services fast, easy, and accessible.

With Namesilo, users have everything they need to register their domain name, build their website, secure it with SSL, set up a professional email and more.

One nice thing about Namesilo is that they offer a discount program, which allows you to save big by registering multiple domains.

If you’re a domain reseller planning to buy domains in bulk, then Namesilo is the most affordable option for your business.

In addition, Namesilo offers a free lifetime WHOIS privacy with all their domain names.

Pros

• Free WHOIS security for life
• Ease-of-use integrations and friendly panel
• ICANN Fees and Accreditation
• Registry lock
• Domain defender protection
• DNS management tools
• Email and domain forwarding

NameSilo pricing

• .com: $8.99 per year
• .net: $11.79 per year
• .org: $10.79 per year

 

Try Namesilo

 

5. GoDaddy – The most recognizable brand on this list

GoDaddy is one of the biggest domain registrars among all accredited companies, with over 20 million customers and over 82 million domains.

The solution includes an intuitive domain management interface which allows you to register and manage domains, transfer your domain name, update Nameservers, manage bulk domain renewals, and customize other domain settings.

GoDaddy also offers a wide range of tools, such as web hosting, marketing tools and security, and social media integration, making it easy for you to launch, promote and grow your business online.

Their Customer service is outstanding, and they are always ready to help you with any problems you may have.

GoDaddy also offers these services:

• Web hosting. Get access to over 150 free apps to create CMS sites (WordPress, Joomla)
• Easy-to-use control panel to install apps, manage backups and security.
• 24/7 network security.
• Increase your CPU/RAM, I/O and storage with a 1-click purchase.

Pros

• 24/7 phone support
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Daily backups and 1-click restore
• Prioritized support ticketing

GoDaddy pricing

• .com: $11.99 per year
• .co: $11.99 per year
• .org: $7.99 per year
• .net: $11.99 per year

 

Try GoDaddy

 

6. Name.com – Best for complementary products

Name.com has been providing domain name registration since 2003.

Aside from domain registration, Name.com also offers a web hosting service which is great for small businesses.

With Name.com you can have everything you need in one convenient place. Once you have found the right domain name for you, they make it simple to attach your domain to email, hosting, website builders, and several different hosting options.

Name.com also offers a powerful aftermarket search tool, which allows you to find expiring and premium domain names. This can be a big chance for you to buy your desired domain.

Additional services that Name.com offers :

• WordPress hosting 
• Website Builder packages for designing and hosting your website.
• Security and Backups – All hosting plans include automated nightly backups
• Premium SSL certificate
• Advanced security and privacy
• URL and email forwarding

Pros

• Complementary Products
• Hosting plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee

Name.com pricing:

• .com: $13.05 per year
• .net: $15.66 per year
• .org: $11.74 per year
• .co: $16.97 per year

 

Try Name.com

 

7. Google Domains – Best for site development tools and security add-ons

Google Domains is a domain registration service provided by Google. It offers a clean and easy-to-use interface to search and buy domains. 

People who have a Google account can access Google Domains using the same Google account they use for other Google services, like G-suite, Google Search Console, and more. This feature saves time and helps users appear more organized.

Unlike other popular domain registrars, Google Domains does not offer hosting services. So if you are looking to set up a website, you need to get a hosting provider to host your website in addition to a domain name.

Additionally, Google Domains offers free WHOIS privacy protection with every domain registration and lets you create up to 100 email aliases.

If you’re looking for a secure, consistent, and reliable domain registrar solution, Google Domains hosting is a great option.

Pros

• Integration with Google Suite.
• Transparent Value Pricing
• Very easy purchasing process
• Powerful Free Features
• User-Friendly.
• Renewal cost is the same as the buying cost.
• All domain names are ICANN-accredited.

Google Domains pricing:

• .com: $12 per year
• .net: $12 per year
• .org: $12 per year
• .co: $30 per year

 

Try Google Domains

 

 

Domain Name Registrar FAQ.

How To Choose The Right Domain Name

Here are some tips for choosing a domain name that reflects and helps your brand.

• Keep your name short and easy to remember.
• Choose a unique name that fits your brand.
• Register alternative TLDs to protect your brand.
• Register common domain misspellings.
• Avoid hyphens, double letters and numbers.
• Use the right domain name extensions — I highly recommend choosing a .com domain name to make your business appear more trustworthy.

Choosing the right domain name is vitally important to your business. Make sure to put some effort into choosing yours.

Can I transfer my domain to another registrar?

Yes, you can transfer your domain name to another registrar. There might be certain conditions and fees involved, so check the policies of both the current and new registrar.

What is WHOIS privacy protection, and do I need it for my domain?

WHOIS privacy protection (also known as domain privacy) is a service offered by domain registrars that masks your personal information (such as name, address, and email) from the public WHOIS database, protecting you from spam and identity theft. It is highly recommended for most users.

Can I buy an expired domain name?

Yes, expired domains are often available for re-registration or through auction sites. There are various tools and websites that can help you find expired domains. Here are some popular options:

• ExpiredDomains.net
• GoDaddy Auctions
• Namecheap Domain Search

 

Summary

Picking the best domain registrar is one of the most important parts of building your website.

My top recommendations are Domain.com and Namecheap. They are all reputable companies, affordable, reliable, and easy to set up.

If you need to purchase a domain name and web hosting in one convenient place, then I highly recommend Bluehost. You can get started for $2.75 per month, and get a free domain name for the first year. Bluehost is the fastest and easiest way to get a new website up and running.

NameSilo and GoDaddy are excellent choices for people who need a lot of domains at once. Plus, They offer privacy protection for free.

However, it’s essential to have goals & objectives for your website, set a budget, and know what features you will need for your site. This will help you make the best decision based on your specific domain registration needs.

Which do you think is the best domain name registrar? And why?