So, you’re finally doing it. You’ve got a killer idea for a website, a blog, or an online store in 2025. That’s big. But before you get to the fun stuff like picking colors and writing your ‘About Me’ page, you have to do the first, most basic thing. You have to buy a domain name.
Picking a place to buy your domain name, it feels like a bigger deal than it is. There are a million choices, and they all seem to shout about how cheap they are. But the price you see on the front page isn’t the whole story. Not even close.
This isn’t going to be some super polished list from a marketing department. This is a real-talk guide to the best domain registrars for 2025. It is a rundown to help you avoid the headaches I went through when I bought my first dozen domains.
What Even is a Domain Registrar?
Let’s get this out of the way fast. A domain registrar is just a company that’s allowed to sell you a domain name. They handle the technical busywork of reserving your chosen “.com” or “.net” with the central internet registry, a group called ICANN.
Think of them like the DMV for your internet address. You tell them the address you want, you pay the fee, and they make it officially yours. Some of them also sell web hosting, email, and other stuff, but their main job is the domain itself.
Our Top 10 Domain Registrars for 2025
Alright, let’s get into the list. I’m ranking these based on a mix of price, ease of use, and how much they try to sneak extra charges on you.
1. Porkbun
Their name is weird, I know. But stick with me. Porkbun has become a favorite for a lot of people because they’re just so straightforward and cheap. Their renewal prices are generally really good too.
They also throw in WHOIS privacy for free forever. That’s the service that hides your personal phone number and address from the public. You definitely want that. Their dashboard is clean and doesn’t feel like it was designed in 1998.
2. Namecheap
Namecheap is a classic for a reason. They’ve been around a long time and they’ve built a reputation for being, well, cheap. Their first-year prices are always super low.
Their renewal prices are decent, not always the absolute lowest but very competitive. They also give you free WHOIS privacy. Their dashboard is easy to get around a big plus for people who aren’t super techy. They do have some upsells but they aren’t as aggressive as some others.
3. Google Domains (Now Squarespace Domains)
Okay so this one is a bit of a story. Google Domains was amazing. It was super simple, clean, and had clear pricing. Then, in 2023, Squarespace bought them. All Google Domains are being moved over to Squarespace.
The good news is Squarespace is keeping the simple idea and pricing, for now. It’s still a really solid choice, especially if you plan on using Squarespace to build your site anyway. The connection is obviously very smooth.
4. Hover
Hover’s whole thing is being simple and private. They don’t do hosting. They don’t do a million other things. They just sell domains and email accounts. That’s it.
Because of this focus, their site is super clean. They include WHOIS privacy for free, and they don’t bother you with a bunch of pop-ups. They are normally a little more expensive than Porkbun or Namecheap, but some people are happy to pay for the no-nonsense experience.
5. Domain.com
This is one of the originals. Domain.com is very straightforward and they own a ton of different domain extensions. If you want a weird “.pizza” or “.ninja” domain, they probably have it.
You just have to be careful during checkout. They tend to pre-select a bunch of extras, like web hosting or email, that you might not need. Just uncheck the boxes and you’ll be fine. Renewal prices are considered to be average.
6. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is, well, GoDaddy. They are the biggest name in the game, and you can’t escape their ads. Their system is powerful and they offer pretty much every web service imaginable.
The downside? They can be expensive, especially for renewals. And the upsell machine is intense. You click one button and suddenly you have three other things in your cart. Their phone support is actually pretty good, which is a big deal for some people.
7. IONOS (Formerly 1&1)
IONOS often has crazy introductory offers, like a domain for $1 for the first year. This is great if you’re just testing an idea and are on a tight budget.
Just be sure to check the renewal price. It often jumps up quite a bit after that first year. They are generally aimed more at small businesses and their packages often include things like a professional email address.
8. Cloudflare Registrar
This one’s for the nerds a bit. Cloudflare is a huge web security and performance company. They also offer a registrar service where they sell you domains at the wholesale price. No markup.
What’s the catch? You have to use their DNS services, which is what directs traffic to your website. This is actually a good thing because their service is super fast and secure. But it’s an extra step and might be confusing if you’re a total beginner.
9. NameSilo
NameSilo is all about no-frills, low-cost domains. Their whole business model is based on volume. Their website looks pretty basic, but it works.
They offer free WHOIS privacy and their renewal prices are consistently low. They are especially good if you plan on buying a lot of domains, as they offer bulk discounts. It’s not the prettiest option, but it is cheap and honest.
10. Squarespace Domains
I already mentioned them because they bought Google Domains, but they deserve their own spot. If you already know you are going to use the Squarespace website builder, it just makes sense to get your domain from them.
The setup is basically one click. You get a free domain for the first year with most of their annual website plans. It’s the easiest option on this list if you’re inside their system.
Things to Look For When Picking Your Registrar
It’s not just about the first-year price. Keep these things in mind before you click “buy.”
Pricing – Watch Out for the Sneaky Stuff
The big number they advertise is almost always for the first year. The number that really matters is the renewal price. A $2 domain that renews at $22 is not a good deal. Also, make sure WHOIS Privacy is included for free. There’s no reason to pay for it in 2025.
The User Dashboard and Support
After you buy the domain, you have to manage it. This means changing settings to point it at your web host. Some registrar dashboards are a confusing mess. A simple, clean interface is a huge win. And what happens when something goes wrong? Check if they have live chat or good email support. You don’t want to be stuck.
Extra Goodies They Throw In
Some registrars give you little freebies. Things like email forwarding (so you can have a professional-looking email address that sends to your Gmail) can be nice to have. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they are a nice touch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What’s the difference between a domain registrar and a web host?
A registrar sells you the address (yourdomain.com). A web host rents you the space on the internet to build your house (your website files). You need both. You can get them from the same company or different ones.
2. Can I move my domain to a different registrar later?
Yes, absolutely. It’s called a domain transfer. There’s a standard process for it, and it’s pretty easy. So don’t stress too much about being “locked in” forever.
3. Should I buy my domain and hosting from the same place?
It can be simpler, especially for beginners. The downside is that you have all your eggs in one basket. Many people prefer to keep them separate for more control. There’s no single right answer here.
4. How much should a normal .com domain cost?
Typically, you should expect to pay around $10-$20 per year. If you see a first-year price of $1, that’s great, but check that the renewal price is in that $10-$20 range. Don’t pay more than that unless it’s a special, premium domain.
5. Is WHOIS privacy really that important?
Yes. Without it, anyone on the internet can look up your domain and see the name, address, email, and phone number you registered it with. This leads to a ton of spam calls and emails. Always get free WHOIS privacy.
Key Takeaways
There is no single “best” domain registrar; it’s about what’s best for you.
Always, always, always check the renewal price, not just the first-year price.
Make sure free WHOIS privacy is included. Do not pay extra for this.
For beginners, Namecheap or the new Squarespace Domains are great starting points.
For the best long-term value and no-nonsense service, Porkbun is very hard to beat.
Don’t be afraid to choose one. You can always transfer your domain later if you change your mind.
