So, you’ve got this awesome idea for 2025. A new blog, a business, maybe a portfolio to show off your work. It’s that moment where you need to grab a digital piece of real estate, your own little corner of the internet, which is to say, you need a domain name. But then you search “buy a domain” and bam. A million options, all screaming they’re the best.
It can be a real headache. Who’s cheap? Who’s trying to trick you with hidden fees? Who has a dashboard that isn’t a total mess to figure out? It is a confusing world for sure. We’ve been there, bought a bunch of domains over the years, and made some mistakes. So we put together this list for 2025. It’s our take on the top 5 domain buying sites, without all the polished marketing talk.
What to Look for When You Buy a Domain Name?
Before we just list a bunch of names, you should know what makes a domain seller good or bad. It’s not just about the price on the front page. That’s how they get you. You have to look a little bit deeper than that.
First up is pricing. And not just the first-year price. Lots of places will sell you a domain for $1.99. But then next year, the renewal price is $22.99. You need to check the renewal cost. That’s the real price you’ll be paying for years to come.
Then there’s domain privacy. This is a big one. When you register a domain, your personal information like your name and address goes into a public directory called WHOIS. Domain privacy replaces your info with the registrar’s info. Some places give this for free. Others charge you extra for it, every single year.
The user interface, or just how easy the site is to use, matters too. You don’t want to spend an hour trying to figure out how to point your domain to your web hosting. A clean, simple dashboard is a real gift. You’ll be thankful for it later.
And of course, support. You hope you never need it. But when your site is down because something weird is happening with your domain, you want someone helpful on the other end of a chat or phone call. Not a robot.
The Top 5 Domain Buying Sites for 2025 (Our Picks)
Alright, let’s get into it. These are the places we’d recommend to a friend. Each one has its good and bad points, so it depends on what you’re looking for, generally.
Namecheap – The Budget-Friendly Champ
The name says it all, they’re cheap. Namecheap is considered to be the go-to for many people starting out. Their first-year prices are low, and more importantly, their renewal prices are usually very fair. They don’t try to gouge you after that first year is up.
One of the best things they do? Free WHOIS privacy. Forever. You just check a box when you buy the domain and you never have to worry about it. That alone saves you like 10 to 15 bucks a year compared to some other places.
Their control panel is… fine. It’s not the prettiest thing you’ll ever see, but it gets the job done without too much confusion. Changing DNS settings and setting up redirects is straightforward enough. They are a good solid choice.
Pros: Low initial and renewal prices, free domain privacy for life.
Cons: The dashboard could use a modern makeover, their web hosting upsells can be a bit noticeable.
GoDaddy – The Big Name Everyone Knows
You’ve seen the commercials right? GoDaddy is the 800-pound gorilla of domain registration. They are huge. And they spend a ton on marketing. A lot of first-timers end up here just because it’s the first name they think of.
Their system is pretty easy to use, and they have 24/7 phone support which is something that a lot of people still really like. If you want to talk to a human being, it is a thing you can do with GoDaddy.
But, you have to be careful. They will try to sell you everything. And I mean everything. Email, website builders, SEO services, you name it. The checkout process is a minefield of checkboxes and add-ons you probably don’t need. Also their renewal prices can be on the high side, and domain privacy costs extra.
Pros: Well-known brand, easy to use for beginners, solid phone support.
Cons: Aggressive upselling, renewal rates can be high, you pay extra for privacy.
Porkbun – The Fun and Fairly Priced Contender
The name is a bit silly, I know. But Porkbun has been making a name for itself for being super transparent and user-friendly. Their whole vibe is just more… chill. They feel like a smaller company that actually cares.
Their pricing is excellent. It’s very clear, with no weird gimmicks. They also include WHOIS privacy for free with every single domain. They also have good deals on some of the newer, weirder domain extensions (.ninja, .design, etc.) if you’re into that.
The website is clean, modern, and honestly a pleasure to use. Everything is where you expect it to be. For someone who just wants a domain without any nonsense, Porkbun has become a top recommendation.
Pros: Great, transparent pricing, free WHOIS privacy, very clean interface.
Cons: Not as well-known, so some might be hesitant, brand name is a bit odd.
Domain.com – Straight to the Point Registration
Domain.com is another major player in the field. Their whole thing is simplicity. The name is literally what they sell. They focus on getting you a domain name quickly, without a ton of other distractions.
The search and checkout process is normally very quick. They don’t bombard you with as many upsells as some other places, though they do exist. They’re a solid, reliable choice if you just want to get in, get your domain, and get out.
The main drawback here is, like GoDaddy, domain privacy is an extra fee. So when you’re comparing prices, you have to remember to add that cost in. That can make them more expensive than Namecheap or Porkbun in the end.
Pros: Simple and focused on domains, easy to use, well-established company.
Cons: Domain privacy costs extra, renewal prices are just okay.
Squarespace Domains (Formerly Google Domains)
Okay so this one is a little different now. For years, Google Domains was a favorite. It had a super clean interface and simple, flat-rate pricing. But in 2023, Google sold its domain business to Squarespace. Yeah, that happened.
The good news is that Squarespace has kept a lot of what made it good. The interface is still very clean and based on the Google design. Pricing is typically very straightforward, what you see is what you pay, with no big jump at renewal. Free privacy is included too.
The main change is that it’s now tied into the Squarespace ecosystem. If you already use Squarespace for your website, this is a perfect match. If you don’t, it still works perfectly fine as a standalone domain registrar. It is just that the branding and integration is now all Squarespace.
Pros: Super clean and simple interface, transparent pricing, free privacy included.
Cons: Now part of Squarespace, which might not appeal to everyone.
Quick Comparison of the Top Domain Sites
Let’s just break it down real simple. Sometimes a list is just easier.
Best for Price: Namecheap or Porkbun. They consistently offer low prices and include free privacy.
Best for Simplicity: Squarespace Domains or Porkbun. Their dashboards are the cleanest.
Best for Phone Support: GoDaddy. They are the clear winner if you need to talk to someone.
Best to Avoid Upsells: Porkbun. They seem to be the least pushy with add-ons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which website is the absolute cheapest for buying a domain?
Typically, Namecheap or Porkbun will give you the best total price once you factor in their low renewal rates and free WHOIS privacy. Always check the renewal cost, not just the first-year sale price.
2. Is GoDaddy still a good choice in 2025?
GoDaddy is fine, it works. It’s a huge, stable company. But you need to be a savvy shopper. Uncheck all the add-ons you don’t need during checkout and be aware that your renewal price will be higher than competitors.
3. Do I really need to pay for domain privacy?
It’s a really good idea. Without it, anyone can look up your name, address, and email. This leads to a lot of spam emails and letters. Since places like Namecheap, Porkbun, and Squarespace offer it for free, there’s no reason not to get it.
4. Can I move my domain name from one site to another?
Yes, absolutely. This is called a domain transfer. There’s a standard process for it. You typically can’t transfer a domain within the first 60 days of registering it, but after that, you are free to move it to any registrar you like.
5. What happened to Google Domains?
Google sold its entire domain registration business to Squarespace in 2023. All existing Google Domains were migrated over to Squarespace. You can now buy new domains directly from Squarespace Domains.
Key Takeaways
Look, choosing a place to buy your domain isn’t brain surgery. But making a smart choice now can save you some money and some headaches down the road.
The renewal price is almost always more important than the first-year price.
Free WHOIS privacy is a huge perk that saves you money and protects your info.
GoDaddy is popular but watch out for the constant upselling and higher costs.
Namecheap and Porkbun are fantastic all-around choices for most people, balancing cost and features.
Squarespace Domains is a great, simple option, especially if you’re already using their services.
Just pick one that feels right for you and your budget. The most important part is getting that domain and starting your project. Good luck
