If you’re new to the domain registrar industry or just want to get a variety of offers, Domain.com is the way to go for most people. However, if you need expert support with your website content or tech-support for hosting services, then Hostinger might be a better option for you.
Interested in a domain name without hosting? Interested in a domain but not ready to commit to hosting? Domain.com is one of our best options for you. It’s affordable and very easy to use.
Do you need web hosting now? You can get a free domain name or additional services with the Premium Shared Hosting when you sign up with Hostinger starting at only $2.49/month! This is surely recommended if you are considering choosing new domain name or need a website for your project, as most people do.
Domain registrars can be overwhelming–especially if you’re just getting started in the world of website building. But finding the right one is important for your overall experience.
Based on my extensive research and experience, I’ve narrowed down and reviewed the best domain registrars on the market today.
Pro Tip: Get a free domain name when you bundle domain registration and web hosting together with Hostinger.
When buying domains, it’s usually best to keep your domain registration in one place, and your type of web hosting elsewhere. Although web hosting is different from domain registry as its name suggests, you should still stick to expert providers if you want the best results.
If you are starting a website, one of the first things you’ll want to do is get your domain name and web hosting. You can often get those from a single provider so the hosting service will synchronize with your domain or vice versa and your website will be up and running at once.
Hostinger is the perfect option for people that refer to themselves as “startups or small businesses” as it offers a free domain name and affordable web hosting. Hostinger is a service that allows you to get started with the process of creating a website in an easy and affordable manner. They offer incredible value for money by bundling your domain name with their hosting package.
8 Best Domain Registrars in 2023
Hostinger – Best for getting a free domain for your website
Domain.com – Best total package of domain services
Namecheap – Best for affordable domain registration
Network Solutions – Best for long-term domain registration
NameSilo – Best for buying domains in bulk
GoDaddy – Best for domain protection and privacy
Google Domains – Best free security and privacy features
Porkbun – Best for creative domain extensions
There’re a lot of options out there when it comes to choosing the perfect domain name. I have done extensive research and listed my top picks in detail below. Read through it and make an informed decision about which option best suits you.
Read more: How to Create a Website in 7 Steps from Scratch
Best Domain Registrar Reviews
#1. Hostinger – Best to Get a Free Domain for Your Website
- FREE DOMAIN NAME INCLUDED
- PLANS START AT $2.99 PER MONTH
- 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT
- 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
Read on: Hostinger Web Hosting Review: Top features
Hostinger refers to itself as the best way to get free domain registration along with web hosting.
Instead of outsourcing buying a domain name with your current hosting provider, use Hostinger as your new host and everything will be tended to in one place.
You can skip all the hassle of the web hosting market and get affordable, reliable hosting that’s perfect for beginners. If you take advantage of this offer, your domain will also be free during your first year.
Seriously, Hostinger offers free domain registration with the Premium Shared Hosting starting as low as $2.49 per month.
If you’re setting up a brand-new website, Hostinger is the option you need. They can provide your site with the perfect domain name and web hosting quickly, saving you time and effort.
WordPress is a very easy to install with Hostinger. They have a huge range of apps which makes it easier than ever before to start getting content on your site. It’s even better when you sign up with Hostinger because they offer a one-click install for over one hundred other apps.
All Hostinger plans include free SSL certificates, which many domain registrars provide at an additional cost. Aside from the hPanel dashboard, it’s incredibly easy to manage SSL certificates with Hostinger.
When you register a domain through Hostinger, you are given free privacy protection to hide your personal contact information from the public WHOIS database. Other domain registrars might charge $10 or $15/ year for this service
Register your domain name with Hostinger and get more than just website hosting. Get an incredible selection of features, without having to break the bank.
#2. Domain.com – Best Total Package of Domain Services
- CHEAP DOMAIN PRIVACY PROTECTION
- STRAIGHTFORWARD AND EASY TO USE
- 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT
- EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Domain.com is an awesome domain name registrar because of its quality service, simplicity and affordable privacy protection.
You can buy a domain .com from Domain.com for just $9.99 per year, and also purchase domains for as long as five years on a single plan that you won’t need to worry about again.
Where they really show their worth is in keeping overall domain costs lower than the average. Protection of domains is important and it’s one of the things domain pricing tends to include, but it can also be one of the more expensive add-ons.
Domain.com‘s Domain Privacy + Protection service is just $8.99/year. Here’s an example: Network Solutions is a flat $9.99 per year and protects only your information in the WHOIS database. It doesn’t offer any additional protection like malware scans, which protects your site from malicious visitors and hackers.
Hostinger provides free WHOIS privacy protection with domains registered through their service, which could save you big time if you have a lot of domains.
With the addition of SiteLock, Domain.com users will receive regular malware scans and IP blocklist prevention. Domain.com also removes your personal contact information and replaces it with its own contact information to protect your privacy more thoroughly.
Other Top Features
Adding domain privacy + protection is easy and it’s available for some of the most popular domains, including .com, .net, .org and more. There are some domain registrars that don’t support domain privacy, including .ae, .es, and others. Ask the company if your chosen domain is supported
Domain.com provides excellent quality hosting, customer support and other services. Among their other benefits you could save money by using them for your web hosting needs as well.
Domain.com offers great value on their shared hosting packages, which make perfect sense because they’re priced to suit a variety of needs and budgets. They cost as little as $3.75 per month whether you commit for 12 or 36 months. This is unlike most other hosting services, which only provide a lower monthly cost if you commit to signing up for a long-term contract.
You can buy or renew a domain on Domain.com or open an online store using their builder. They make the process really simple and easy to manage so it’s not a bother to use them for other services as well.
Regardless of the specific domain name you’re looking for, Domain.com should be one of the first places you check out.
#3. Namecheap – Best for Affordable Domain Registration
- FREE PRIVACY PROTECTION
- SIMPLE CHECKOUT PROCESS
- 24/7 LIVE CHAT SUPPORT
- FIND AND BUY A CHEAP DOMAIN
Looking for the absolute cheapest price to register your domain? Namecheap is the way to go. They offer domain registration service at an unbeatable cheap price. The company offers the the more affordable prices on domain extensions such as .com domains that cost less than $10 per year.
Enjoy price savings when you sign up with a new domain extension. That’s the place where you can really find bargains!
I love the domain purchasing experience on Namecheap. It’s really easy, there aren’t too many upsells, and it doesn’t get slowed down when I’m purchasing a domain.
After you complete your checkout, make sure to only purchase what you need. Plus, Namecheap already offers domain privacy services with a free WhoisGuard subscription that prevents your personal contact information from being publically available.
With Namecheap, you get WhoisGuard for free. With GoDaddy, you have to pay $10/year. Most web hosts charge $12/year and this includes registration of your domain name as well.
The dashboard is easy to navigate and intuitive once you purchase your domain.
I’ve been very impressed by Namecheap’s knowledge base. They have a variety of different articles on the subject, including detailed tutorials that make the process seem easy for someone who doesn’t deal with domain purchases very often.
Namecheap has 24/7 live chat and a two-hour response time for tickets – the perfect way to get all your questions answered ASAP.
You can make the most of your small budget by grabbing yourself a great domain name through Namecheap.
#4. Network Solutions – Best for Long-Term Domain Registration
- REGISTER A DOMAIN FOR LONG-TERM
- EASY DOMAIN BULK SEARCH
- PRIVATE DOMAIN REGISTRATION
- EXPIRATION PROTECTION
Network Solutions provides businesses with a full range of services that cover all tasks from domain management to hosting. That doesn’t mean Network Solutions is any different from other domain registrars like Namecheap and Domain.com, but I’ll tell you what does
If you want total peace of mind, Network Solutions can help you register your domain for a century. Of course, we’re not kidding when we say that the company will let you sign up for 100 years.
I know that option isn’t for everyone. However, Network Solutions also offers 20-year registrations. This is twice as long as other vendors allow.
It may seem a bit excessive, but the registrar’s 10- and 20-year terms are really a great option compared to some of the other choices on my list.
If you are looking for a good domain name, with expiration protection, then a $9.99 per domain deal has got you covered. And, if you forget to renew your domain, Network Solutions will make sure that it stays safe. They’ll also keep rates low and extend the time frame of ownership for up to a year..
Network Solutions has some similar features such as domain transfers and private registration, but they’re a lot more expensive than the other domain registrars on this list.
However, Network Solutions has strong search capabilities compared to most domain registrars out there. This allows you to use their portal for expired domains, placing certified offers on domains held by resellers, browsing inventories of reseller domains and searching for deals.
Anyway, if you’re looking to lock down your domain name for a long period of time, then this is the right domain registrar for you.
Network Solutions has been around for a long time and is the industry leader when it comes to finding a domain name for your business. Head over there today to find out if they have what you’re looking for.
#5. NameSilo – Best for Buying Domains in Bulk
- BEST RATES FOR MASSIVE BULK BUYS
- EASY BULK DOMAIN BUYING
- FEW UPSELLS
- FREE WHOIS PRIVACY
NameSilo is second-quickest-growing domain registrar in the world. They’re a big reason why. It’s easy, affordable and you can buy domains in bulk to keep your prices low enough for everyone.
Domain searching is so easy and straightforward with just a few clicks. You get many domain names to choose from when you sign up and you can have them all for a discounted price if you buy them in bulk.
NameSilo is one of the few reliable domain registrars companies that offer some of the best prices on domain names. This makes it a great place if you are interested in buying multiple domains.
NameSilo will be happy to slash your domain costs if you order more than 100. If you purchase over 200, even bigger savings await.
NameSilo’s discount packages for bulk purchases can give you and your customers the edge without breaking your budget. Bulk discounts are perfect for resellers who will need to buy a lot of domains and don’t have time to wait on one-by-one prices.
WHOIS privacy is free with every purchase and what that means for you is that you don’t have to pay an extra $10-15 per year per site like at a domain registrar who charges. With over 100 sites, this can add up quickly.
NameSilo is one of the biggest registrars in the industry and they have a whole range of TLDs – there are never enough options.
Bulk Domain Search
Another cool thing about the Bulk Domain Search is that it narrows your results down by TLD and extension category. You can simply tick off the domains you’re interested in and only then you will get a list of results.
Another great thing about NameSilo domains is that you get to keep the ad revenue from parked domains. Some companies don’t do this, but they do and will continue to as long as things keep working properly.
If you have many domains, domain parking is a big time and effort saver. With other providers, you only get a portion of what your parked domain makes. But with NameSilo, not only do you save time and effort, but they also pay this share in full.
When you register domains through NameSilo, you’ll get:
DNS management
Free privacy protection
Domain defender protection
Email and domain forwarding
Domain portfolio management
24/7 customer support
Domain lock
These are really valuable things to have at a large scale. With portfolio management and email forwarding make it easy to keep track of all your domains.
Other Pros & Cons
NameSilo domains doesn’t come with SSL certificates. That’s something you’ll have to pay for additionally, and it can be rather expensive. I wouldn’t be too worried about this issue though as free SSL is fairly easy to get ahold of these days.
Another benefit of NameSilo is that you’ll get a free year of coverage if you transfer your domain. This way, in case you were with another registrar before and had paid for a number of years already, you don’t lose them by transferring to NameSilo and receiving them coverage instead.
It seems that NameSilo wants to ensure you keep saving. It is no wonder why it always offers a selection of discounted domain names for your website.
NameSilo is the best option to consider for your TLD search. They have an amazing selection, useful and insightful search tools, great prices, and discounts for buying in bulk.
Buy domains for the best price at NameSilo and start building your online presence.
#6. GoDaddy – Best for Domain Protection and Privacy
- EXTRA PRIVACY & SECURITY ADD-ONS
- INCLUDED WHOIS PROTECTION
- BULK SEARCH AND BUYING
- AFFORDABLE AND EASY TO SEARCH
Looking for a domain registrar? Then you need look no further than GoDaddy. They offer affordable prices, an easy interface and all the features you could ever want.
Every domain purchased through GoDaddy comes with basic domain privacy and protection, which can be hard to find at other registrars. Domain privacy doesn’t cost anything at GoDaddy, so take advantage of this and protect your personal details. With the other domain registrars out there you will have to pay for that privilege, but with them it’s 100% free.
You can choose to upgrade, so not only will you have full protection with basic coverage, but also Ultimate Domain Protection or Full Domain Protection plan.
If privacy and security are important to you – they should be! This feature protects your identity from scammers, hackers, and other people.
One useful feature of GoDaddy is the bulk domain search tool, which allows you to identify up to 500 potential domains in a single search. If all domains are available for your desired use, you can buy them immediately.
GoDaddy’s domain parking would make it easy to list domains or park them. They’re perfect for anyone looking to get involved in the domain investing game.
If you ever notice a domain you really like is taken, let GoDaddy Domain Broker step in to help. They will assign a dedicated agent to work with you, the owner of the domain, and the owner’s agent to help you get the best deal for it.
#7. Google Domains – Best Free Security and Privacy Features
- FREE PRIVACY PROTECTION
- INTEGRATION WITH GOOGLE SERVICES
- CLOUD DNS
- 24/7 CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Google Domains is a straightforward and user-friendly domain registrar, as you would expect from one of the biggest companies in the world.
Starting at just $9 a year, domain prices are extremely competitive. What sets Google apart is that they offer so much at that low price point- things like personal service, quality branding tools, and many more extras.
You get privacy protection for free, for all you domains. Instead of putting contact information on the WHOIS database which will inevitably be spammed, Google Domains lets you keep it private.
You even have access to different DNS tools. And you can activate DNSSEC with a single click. As well as many other services, DNSSEC will help ensure your domain is secure and it won’t be vulnerable to phishing scams.
Goole Domains also take security seriously. With every domain purchase, you’ll receive a free verification service, which is an additional layer of protection for your accounts. Even if someone does manage to find out your password, they won’t be able to log in unless they have access to your mobile or security key.
Pros & Cons
These features would not be worth as much if they were too hard to enable or maintain. With Google Domains, these tasks are simple no matter what level of technical understanding you have. If you use Chrome, Gmail, or any other Google product then you’re going to be comfortable.
The interface is simple and easy to navigate. There’s a lot of features that are similar to domain centralized services, so it’ll be easy for you to find your way around.
Even if you don’t use Google products day to day, a few days using them won’t be painful. They’re really easy to learn and the online knowledgebase for help is extensive, so you should have no problem finding what you need.
Spending a day checking out Google Domains might be all you need to find the perfect TLD for your site. They have more than 300 different extensions and very good coverage of the new ones too, giving you plenty of options.
For as long as I can remember, Google has been the go-to place for all things search-related. As it turns out, they also have a whole section dedicated to the type of domain you are looking for. On the plus side, you will be able to find both popular and less commonly used TLDs very easily.
Top Features
Besides the privacy and security features I’ve mentioned, Google Domains include:
Native integration with Google services
Free privacy protection
DNS Cloud
Exporting DNS
Domain management sharing
Email forwarding
24/7 customer support
You can have your business email under Google’s domain, but you don’t have to if you take advantage of email forwarding. If you don’t need the collaborative tools that come with G Suite or Workspace, just use a personal Gmail account with email forwarding.
Google Domains let’s you use up to 100 aliases when you register your new domain. This way, you can receive email at all the different business looking email addresses.
As I mentioned before, Google Domains are the way to go if you’re looking for a deal:
Register your domain name through Google Domains and get access to 10-year pricing. With no hidden charges and all the high-quality features I mentioned, these are some of the best prices you’re going to find anywhere.
Bulk pricing is not an option, which can make it a less appealing option to those who purchase a lot of domains. However, it would be an affordable solution for individuals who want to keep their personal information private while maintaining the web presence they need.
You can get well-built tools without requiring a lot of technical skill–I’ve been using them successfully for years without any trouble. Google provides tons of third-party services so it’s easy to connect your site with confidence and start marketing.
Google Domains is the perfect way to improve your security and save some money by relying on Google’s best-in-class IT infrastructure. Getting set up only takes a couple of minutes, so don’t wait another second to start using Google Domains today.
#8. Porkbun – Best for Creative Domain Extensions
Porkbun is a budget-friendly domain registrar that offers competitive pricing. They also run promotions on renewal prices, offer free domains, and provide 24/7 customer service for added peace of mind.
There are a lot of .com domains that are taken or very expensive, and alternative domain extensions could be a good option for you. This can make your URL more memorable and stand out among your competitors.
Porkbun has a really good domain search tool. Searching for domains on it will return a lot of new and trending domain extensions to choose from. Starting a blog about the best video gear? Seize .pro or .review. Looking to showcase your portfolio and find new clients? Try .wiki, .club, or .biz.
In addition to domain names, you get the following extras for free:
SSL certificate
WHOIS privacy
Web hosting, Trial for Porkbun site builder, email hosting
URL and email forwarding
The best domains are often in demand and hard to find, even for people who know what’s available. This is because that the most desirable domains are often registered quickly and before you know it. Porkbun can help you find the best deals on trending domain names. They provide helpful blog pages which keep you updated on the latest domain extensions.
Porkbun is the cheapest option for over 200 extensions on the market and they have more than 500 available domain extensions.
Creating a memorable and easily searchable URL is key to an online presence. That’s why it is essential to find a domain name that fits the branding of their business when they start their website. With Porkbun, you can get a domain name without breaking the bank.
How to Find the Best Domain Registrar
Choosing the best domain registrar can be tricky. With so many great options, it’s hard to decide which one is right for your business. But I can help you figure that out.
I considered the below criteria while constructing this list. I then used each product against these benchmarks to see how they did. You can use the following information as a guideline to help you decide based on your unique requirements.
Read on: What Is a Name Server?
Free Domain Protection vs. Paid
To sign up for a domain name, you need to provide information for WHOIS. This public database has all the contact details about users who own domain names or IPs.
Think of the Whois Database as something like a phonebook. You can find all sorts of personal information (such as their name, phone number, mailing address, email address) of anyone with a domain name in this database.
Spammers really like the WHOIS directory as they can easily access information on different people and their contact info. By using domain privacy and protection, you can keep them at bay and out of the loop.
Most domain registrars like Namecheap provide WHOIS protection for free that includes privacy features. Those who don’t charge about $12/year for it.
The WHOIS privacy policy of the domain registrar you use will have a big impact on your current decision. It’s important to review this and decide whether it is right for you or not.
You can use business information as well because it’s public, but be cautious about using personal info for your domain purchase and you may encounter spam mail or phone calls.
Easy and Fast Domain Transfers
Domain transfers are the key factor to any quality domain registrar. Especially if you have decided to bundle services, it is important for your company’s stability that you maintain a reliable service provider.
Why not? Sooner or later, you are going to transfer your domain, this especially applies if you have chosen to bundle it with a web hosting service.
While Hostinger does have a great beginner’s bundle and you get a free domain for signing up, I would recommend that if you plan on getting serious and growing your web traffic, Hostinger probably isn’t the last place your website will live.
It might be a good idea to change your domain registrar to another company in the future, who knows what you could get later on? Either way, one thing’s for sure. You’ll definitely stay crafty.
The process of transferring a domain can seem confusing and overwhelming, but you can make the process easier on yourself by choosing a domain registrar with a straightforward transfer policy. They won’t cost you too much money or time, so it should be worth your while.
When looking into making a domain transfer, make sure you know all the details up front. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s included and you might end up feeling like it wasn’t the best decision in hindsight.
Do You Need a Domain and Web Hosting?
It’s not uncommon for domain registrars to offer web hosting services as well. Registered as a web host, you get access to any number of attractive features such as shared hosting, SSL certificates and more.
There are very few cases in which bundled packages are a good idea. For most people, they’re actually too restrictive in the long run. If you change web hosts or domain registrars, you won’t be able to take over all of the services that come with bundle packages.
If you’re not 100% sure that you will buy more domains in the future, I’d recommend only registering a domain and getting hosting with the same company. Companies that provide domain and hosting together are pushing how you can save money by both buying these things as a set, sometimes even claiming there is no need for any other provider. However, when you want to purchase a bunch of domains you often save on cost by shopping around for the best deal.
If you’re just looking to start a website or blog, using the same company for web hosting and purchasing a domain can help you save money. But if your business is more complex and doesn’t revolve around just a personal blog, it’s important to consider your options more carefully as there are distinct benefits of using one service provider over another.
For your domain registration and hosting needs you should use Hostinger. This is the best service out there due to the fact that they offer state-of-the-art hosting and domain registration at an affordable price.
Bulk Domain Purchasing
While it may not apply to the majority of people, a small group might find the following an important consideration.
Do the domain registrars you’re looking into offer bulk purchases? These can be a great tool for businesses that are looking to develop a number of domains or want to get involved with domain parking.
Options like Namecheap, NameSilo, are great if you’re looking to take advantage of special discounts. For example, Namecheap has low prices and NameSilo has bulk domains at a competitive price which is better than what you can find elsewhere.
It is essential to find the right domain registrar when choosing a bulk purchase tool. Look for one that has a simple and user-friendly interface so it’s easy to use and doesn’t push any upsells or hidden fees.
It is very easy to get caught up in a tool that looks flashy and impressive only to later find out that you have bought something you really do not need.
The Top Domain Registrars in Conclusion…
Finding a reliable domain registration service will make your life easier. Whether you’re buying domains for the first time or getting it for investment purposes, finding a registrar that provides reliable services will save you from headaches and red tape.
Hostinger – Best for getting a free domain for your website
Domain.com – Best total package of domain services
Namecheap – Best for affordable domain registration
Network Solutions – Best for long-term domain registration
NameSilo – Best for buying domains in bulk
GoDaddy – Best for domain protection and privacy
Google Domains – Best free security and privacy features
Porkbun – Best for Creative Domain Extensions
You might expect domain name registration to be complicated and intimidating but in reality, it’s straightforward. What’s important is getting the domain name and extension you want at a reasonable price with the protection and security you need.
As a result, Domain.com is a great option for most users and Hostinger offers a free domain for the first year if you need the best web hosting services as well.
The one downside is that both companies they charge extra for WHOIS privacy protection.
This is where NameSilo, Google Domains, and Namecheap take the lead. While they do provide it for free for as long as your domain is registered with them.
With NameSilo is the best if you need hundreds and hundreds of domains. Google Domains provides a level of convenience and comfort for users who are more familiar with their interface (and are willing to share more info which complements their system). And Namecheap is the easiest and affordable .com domain registrar by far.
That’s right – with no effort, you can now get your new domain name in just a few clicks.
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2 thoughts on “Best Domain Registrars – 2023 Review”
This is a great breakdown. I went with Hostmonster 15 years ago and never looked back. These are some real winners here.
Ryan
Thank you Ryan! That’s great to hear, keep it up 🙂