This is a short, curated list, not a complete directory of every registrar out there. These are the ones we would happily point a first-time buyer to, compared on the things that actually cost you money over time. We compare each registrar’s own published pricing and terms rather than testing them hands-on. For a fuller discussion, see the best registrar guide.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Registrar | Pricing model | .com yr1 / renew | Register = renew? | Free WHOIS privacy | Transfer & DNS | Checkout | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare RegistrarFounded 2018 | At-cost | yr1: ~$10 renew: ~$10 | Yes | Free | Cloudflare DNS only | Clean | At-cost registration if you already use Cloudflare for DNS |
| PorkbunFounded 2014 | Flat | yr1: ~$11 renew: ~$11 | Yes | Free | Any DNS | Clean | Cheap registration plus genuinely useful free extras |
| DynadotFounded 2002 | Flat | yr1: ~$11 renew: ~$11 | Yes | Free | Any DNS | Clean | Flat pricing close to wholesale, with real bulk and portfolio tools |
| NamecheapFounded 2000 | Promo to renew | yr1: ~$6 to 10 (first-year promo) renew: Check live price | No | Free | Any DNS | Some upsells | A mainstream all-rounder with bundled email and hosting |
| NameSiloFounded 2009 | Flat | yr1: Check live price renew: Check live price | Flat pricingconfirm the live number | Free | Any DNS | Clean | Holding a larger portfolio with flat, predictable pricing |
| GoDaddyFounded 1997 | Promo to renew | yr1: ~$12 (promo, often needs a 2 to 3 year term) renew: ~$22 to 25 | No | Free, but upsold | Any DNS | Aggressive | The biggest brand, the largest aftermarket, heavy phone support |
Prices checked against each registrar’s own pricing page in Jul 2026. “Check live price” links go straight to the registrar so you can confirm the current number.
Founded 2018, San Francisco, USA
The cheapest way to hold a domain long-term, if you are happy running your DNS on Cloudflare.
Best for: At-cost registration if you already use Cloudflare for DNS
Cheap, flat pricing with genuinely useful freebies and a clean checkout.
Best for: Cheap registration plus genuinely useful free extras
Flat pricing near the wholesale floor with free privacy and serious portfolio tools; the trade-off is a dense interface and no phone support.
Best for: Flat pricing close to wholesale, with real bulk and portfolio tools
A solid mainstream all-rounder; just check the renewal price, which is higher than the first-year promo.
Best for: A mainstream all-rounder with bundled email and hosting
Flat, predictable pricing with free extras, strong for holding several domains.
Best for: Holding a larger portfolio with flat, predictable pricing
Mainly worth it if you already use GoDaddy for other things; otherwise the renewal jump and checkout upsells make it a weak first pick.
Best for: The biggest brand, the largest aftermarket, heavy phone support
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