Comparing the best domain registrars

When it comes to registering a new domain name, where should you start your search? With over 2400 ICANN-registered domain registrars to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the best domain registrar for your needs.

Domain registrars are certified and help people and businesses register domain names.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the top nine domain registrars based on their reputation, features, pricing and customer support. You're sure to find a domain registrar on this list that meets your specific requirements, whether you're looking for:

• Peak affordability
• Dazzling customer support
• Easy-to-use tools
• Reliable security measures

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What is a domain registrar and what do they do?

A domain registrar is a company or organization that manages the registration of domain names on the internet.

Domain names — such as CBC.ca — are the addresses that we use to find websites on the internet.

When you want to register a domain name for your website, you’ll need to go through a domain registrar.

A domain registrar:

• Provides an easy way to search and register available domain names
• Ensures that each domain name is unique and available for new registration
• Allocates IP addresses via DNS

So, in short, domain registrars are essential for establishing and maintaining an online presence.

Check to see if the domain you want is available now

Things to consider when choosing a domain registrar

If you're looking to choose a domain registrar, here are some of the things you’ll want to consider:

1. Price: Domain registrars charge different fees for domain registration, renewal, and transfer — and not all of them list prices in Canadian dollars. Compare the prices of various domain registrars to find one that offers affordable rates (make sure that you’re checking beyond the first-year pricing, as this is often discounted).
2. Features: The domain-related features also vary from registrar to registrar — and can include domain privacy, email hosting, SSL certificates and website building tools. Also, if you have your heart set on a specific TLD (Top Level Domain) — for example, .ca or .hockey — make sure the registrar you choose offers it. Not all domain registrars offer the same range of TLDs.
3. Reputation: Consider the reputation of the domain registrar. Look for reviews and feedback from other users to get an idea of the company's reliability. Trustpilot is a reliable source of customer reviews.
4. Customer support: Make sure that any domain registrar you're considering offers round-the-clock customer support. You may also want to look for a company that provides help through various channels, such as phone, text and live chat.
5. Security: Ensure that the domain registrar provides adequate security measures to protect your domain name and personal information from bad actors.
6. Domain transfer policy: Check the domain transfer policy of any domain registrar before deciding on one. Choose a company that allows easy domain transfers in case you decide to switch to a different registrar in the future.
7. Easy-to-use tools: Select a domain registrar with an easy-to-use user interface that allows you to manage your domain name(s) quickly and efficiently.

By checking these factors, you can choose a domain registrar that provides the features, pricing and support that you need and want.

9 of the best domain name registrars*

Now that we’ve covered the basics of what domain name registrars can provide, let’s take a deeper look at each of the top domain registrars in 2024.

1. GoDaddy

GoDaddy was founded in 1997 and is based in Tempe, Arizona. With over 84 million registered domain names, it is the largest domain name registrar in the world.

Snapshot of services

GoDaddy pricing:

WHOIS privacy: Free domain privacy is included with domain registrations. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at $14.99CAD and include one free year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.

Additional services: GoDaddy’s domain registrations include a free site builder, free domain privacy, a free logo maker tool, and pay links that allow GoDaddy domain owners to collect payments without a website.

Of course, the fastest option is to start your domain search with GoDaddy Airo.

This AI-powered tool not only helps you find the best domain name for your venture, but auto-creates:

• An eye-catching logo design you can easily customise
• A complete website with photos and text that will help your business engage and attract customers online (also customisable)
• A professional email account that strengthens your business credibility
• Selling products online? Just upload your product pics and Airo will auto-generate product descriptions for you to tweak

GoDaddy also provides additional services such as an all-in-one payment solution (in-store, off-site, online), a full range of hosting plans, email, website design and marketing tools. Customers enjoy 24/7 customer support including telephone, text and live chat — in both English and French Canadian.

2. Namecheap

Namecheap is a domain registrar that was founded in 2001. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, it has over 18 million domain names under management.

Snapshot of services

Namecheap pricing:

• WHOIS privacy: Namecheap offers free domain name privacy for their registered domains. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers of the selected TLDs above start at $14.40CAD and include one year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Namecheap offers 24/7 support via ticket, hosting and email products, as well as paid social and review management services. With domain purchases, they offer trial versions of their Social Media Manager, Business Email and Review Manager.

3. Dynadot

Based in San Mateo, California, Dynadot is a domain registrar that was founded in 2002 and currently boasts over 4 million registered domain names.

Snapshot of services

Dynadot pricing:

• WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is included free with Dynadot domains. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfer fees vary between $12.99 and $37.50. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Dynadot offers free versions of their email and website services with domain purchases.

4. IONOS

Known as 1&1 for over 30 years, this company rebranded as IONOS in 2018. The largest hosting provider in Europe, IONOS manages over 5 million domain name registrations.

Snapshot of services

IONOS pricing:

• WHOIS privacy: IONOS includes free domain privacy for their domain names.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are free. Outgoing transfers also do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: A free SSL certificate and email account is included with domain purchases. IONOS also offers hosting, ecommerce and site builder services, along with 24/7 customer support including telephone support.

5. Hostinger

Founded in 2011, Hostinger is an employee-owned hosting provider that currently has 1.4 million registered domain names. Based in Lithuania, their company also owns other brands, such as Zyro Website Builder and Niaga Hosting.

Snapshot of services

Hostinger pricing is not available in CAD:

• WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is included with eligible top-level domains (TLDs) with Hostinger. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at $9.99USD. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Hostinger offers hosting, VPS and email services for their customers. Their chat support team is available 24/7.

6. Name.com

Based in Denver, Colorado, Name.com is a domain and hosting provider that was founded in 2003 and currently manages over 2 million domain names.

Snapshot of services

Name.com pricing:

• WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is $4.99 per year, per eligible domain name. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: The cost of incoming domain transfers varies from $14.22 to $42.71 and depends on the TLD. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Name.com offers partnerships with Wix and Google Workspace, as well as cloud hosting and SSL certificates.

7. Domain.com

Founded in 1999 and based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Domain.com is a domain and hosting provider that currently has almost 2 million domains registered through them.

Snapshot of services

Domain.com pricing is not available in CAD:

• WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is $8.99 USD per year, per eligible domain. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99 USD. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Domain.com offers site builders, email, email marketing and hosting services.

8. Network Solutions

Network Solutions has been around in the domain name industry since before ICANN existed, opening via a partnership with the US Defense Information Systems Agency to manage domain registrations in 1991. They currently have over 6 million domain names registered.

Snapshot of services

Network Solutions pricing is not available in CAD: 

• WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is $11.99 USD per year, per eligible domain. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $9.99. Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Network Solutions offers hosting, site builders, ecommerce, email, marketing and IT services.

9. Bluehost

Headquartered in Orem, Utah, Bluehost was founded in 2003 and is primarily a hosting provider that also offers domains.

Snapshot of services

Bluehost pricing is available in mixed pricing:

• WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy with Bluehost is $15 USD per year, per eligible domain. This helps keep your contact info off spammers' lists.
  
• Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers are $12.99 USD (Bluehost only accepts of com, net, org, us, co, info, and biz domain transfers). Outgoing transfers do not have an associated cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account.
  
• Additional services: Bluehost is a hosting provider with hosting, servers, email and DIFY services. They also offer support via phone and 24/7 chat.

Finding the best domain registrar for your needs

Choosing the best domain registrar is an important step in establishing and maintaining an online presence. In order to find the right registrar for your needs, it’s essential to consider the full company, based on your own requirements.

Not every registrar will have the range of services to meet everyone’s needs.

While comparing prices of different domain registrars can help you find the most affordable option, there are other factors you’ll want to keep in mind.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What is the company's reputation? (TruspPilot is a reliable source)
• What kind of help do they offer — phone, text, chat (is it AI or human)?
• Is their website easy to use?
• Can you easily find their contact information?

Another factor to consider would be any other services that they offer, such as email hosting and website building tools. Chances are, you'll want both once you've selected a domain name and it's just easier to have all your services in one place.

Hopefully, our guide has given you some helpful information to get you started on finding the best domain registrar for you or your business. By selecting a domain registrar that fits your requirements, you can ensure that your website will not only start strong but be able to grow as your traffic grows over time.

Related FAQ about Domain Name Registrars

Still have questions about the best domain registrars? The answers could be here.

Who is the largest domain registrar?

GoDaddy is the largest domain registrar, with over 84 million registered domain names.

Which domain registrars offer the best privacy options?

Most domain registrars include domain name privacy, as well as 2-step authentication for accounts set up through them.

Domain privacy, also known as WHOIS privacy, is a service provided by domain registrars that shields the personally identifiable information (PII) of domain owners from public view. This feature helps keep owner names and addresses private and out of the hands of scammers.

Some domain registrars go a step further and offer domain protection services, which is an additional lock to prevent bad actors from stealing your domain name.

Do all registrars offer the same domain extensions?

No, not all registrars have the same domain extensions available. Most tend to offer more common domain extensions such as .com, .net and .org. But if you have a particular gTLD in mind (.xyz or .quebec, say), you’ll need to be sure that any domain registrar you're considering offers it.

Does it really matter which domain registrar I use?

Not all domain registrars are the same. Some offer more free services with each domain name registration, while others do not.

For example, many domain name registrars offer free WHOIS privacy (aka domain privacy), but it’s an extra fee at other domain registrars.

Some domain registrars offer help via telephone, but only in English.

You’ll want to be sure that you choose a domain registrar that will fit your needs.

Can I use more than one domain registrar?

Using more than one domain registrar for your domains is not necessary, but it’s certainly a matter of personal preference and specific needs.

In general, most people use a single domain registrar to manage their domain names.

This simplifies things and reduces the risk of confusion or errors.

Regardless of whether you use one or multiple domain registrars, it's important to keep your domain names organized and ensure that you have access to all your domains and registrar accounts. This includes keeping track of domain registration and expiration dates, maintaining accurate contact information, and regularly monitoring your domains for any unusual activity.

*Pricing data was researched on 4/17/2024. All prices listed are subject to change.

*AI-assisted full website including all of the premium features like online store, appointment scheduling, and marketplace selling requires paid subscription.

Social media marketing calendar available with GoDaddy Airo, some features will require paid subscription.

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