Comparing the best domain registrars of 2024

If you’re starting a small business, it’s a good idea to register a domain name for it. This can be used to create a custom email address for your business, as well as for your website address. 

As long as a particular domain is registered to you, no one else may use it.

But with over 2400 ICANN-registered domain registrars to choose from, where should you start your search?

We have compiled a list of the top nine domain registrars based on their: 

• Reputation 
• Features 
• Pricing* 
• Customer support

Whether you're looking for peak affordability, dazzling customer support, an easy-to-use interfaces or reliable security measures, you're sure to find a domain registrar on this list that meets your specific requirements. 

9 of the best domain name registrars 

Let’s take a deeper look at each of the top domain registrars in 2024. 

*Prices were accurate as of publication date. Please check registrar websites for current pricing. All listed prices are before VAT and subject to change.

1. GoDaddy  

GoDaddy is one of the world’s most recognisable domain name registrars. It’s also known for its user-friendly website builders, WordPress web hosting, site security products and its Studio content creation tools.

Founded in 1997 and boasting over 84 million registered domain names, it’s the largest domain name registrar worldwide.

GoDaddy UK offers a huge range of domains from which to choose, including many in-demand .uk and .co.uk top-level domains. 

GoDaddy pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Free domain privacy is included with all domain registrations. This shields your name and contact information from public view. 

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start from £9.14 and include one free year of registration. Outgoing transfers do not have a 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

GoDaddy offers 24/7 customer support via phone and chat.

2. 123 Reg

Founded in the UK in 2000, 123 Reg is the nation’s largest domain registrar. It has over 3 million registered domain names and hosts more than 1.7 million websites.

From domains and websites, to hosting and WordPress tools, they offer everything you need to build a professional online presence and attract new customers.  

123Reg pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Free domain privacy comes as standard with all domain registrations. 

Domain transfers: Free transfers are available on a number of selected domains, including .co.uk. 

Additional services: 123 Reg offers a range of services including a user-friendly website builder, email hosting, WordPress hosting, and integration with Microsoft 365.  

3. Namecheap 

Namecheap is a major domain registrar and web services company that offers hosting, web builder and other tools. Founded in 2001, it boasts over 18 million domain names. 

Namecheap pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Namecheap offers free domain name privacy for all registered domains. 

Domain transfers: There are variable fees for incoming domain transfers of selected TLDs, which includes 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. 

4. Dynadot 

Based in California, Dynadot is a domain registrar with over 4 million registered domain names.

They also offer online tools and services including a website builder, email hosting, and SSL Certificates for secure transactions. 

Dynadot pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Domain privacy is included free with Dynadot domains. 

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfer fees vary, whereas 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. 

5. IONOS

Known as 1&1 for over 30 years, the company rebranded to become IONOS in 2018 and holds over 5 million domain name registrations through their services. It’s currently the largest hosting provider in Europe.

IONOS pricing*

WHOIS privacy: IONOS includes free domain privacy for their domain names. 

Domain transfers: Pay for the first year with IONOS and domain transfers are free. Outgoing transfers and other fees may vary. 

Additional services: A free SSL certificate 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.

6. bluehost

Headquartered in Orem, Utah, bluehost was founded in 2003 and is primarily a hosting provider that also offers domain registrations. Bluehost offers a range of domain extensions and a number of web tools to launch a successful website online. 

Bluehost pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy with Bluehost is £9.66 per year, per eligible domain. 

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers come at a fixed fee. 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 that also provide email services. They also offer 24/7 support.

7. Fasthosts

Fasthosts is headquartered in Gloucester, UK, with over 1.2 million domain names and an array of internet services. Founded in 1999, the company has also established itself in the web hosting market.  

Fasthosts pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is included with eligible top-level domains (TLDs). 

Domain transfers: Incoming and outgoing domain transfers to Fasthosts are free. 

Additional services: Fasthosts offers web hosting, WordPress Hosting, VPS and email services for their customers. Their chat support team is available 24/7.

8. Hostinger

Founded in 2011, Hostinger is an employee-owned web host with 1.4 million registered domain names.

Based in Lithuania, the company also owns Zyro Website Builder and Niaga Hosting. 

Hostinger pricing*

WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is included with eligible top-level domains (TLDs). 

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at £8.99. Outgoing transfers do not have a 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. 

9. HostPapa

Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, HostPapa is a web hosting and cloud service provider that also offers domain registration and website building tools. 

Host Papa pricing*: 

WHOIS privacy: Domain name privacy is included with eligible top-level domains (TLDs). 

Domain transfers: Incoming domain transfers start at £8.99. Outgoing transfers do not have a cost and can be completed by the customer from within their account. 

Additional services: HostPapa offers hosting, VPS and email services for their customers. Their chat support team is available 24/7. 

What does a domain registrar do? 

A domain registrar is a company or organisation that manages the registration of domain names on the internet. All registrars must be approved by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). 

Domain names are unique addresses that are used to identify websites on the internet.

We put together a guide with many common questions on domain names, so check out this guide if you’d like to learn more about what is a domain name, how domains work and other domain related questions.

BBC.com is a domain name, as is HSBC.co.uk.

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

A domain registrar also: 

• Provides a platform for you to search and register available domain names 
• Ensures that domain names are 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. 

Things to consider before you choose a registrar 

Before you settle on a domain registrar, there are several things to look at. Here are seven of the most important: 

1. Price: Domain registrars charge different fees for domain registration, renewal and transfer. Compare the prices of different domain registrars, making sure to look beyond the first-year pricing. 
2. Features: Different domain registrars offer various features such as domain privacy which may affect your decision. You'll need to think carefully about the TLD (top level domain) that you’d like to purchase. This forms the last part of the domain name (e.g. .co.uk or .com. Registrars vary in which TLDs they offer for registration. Get help choosing the right TLD in this article. 
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. 
4. Customer support: Make sure that the domain registrar offers reliable customer support. Choose a company that provides different support channels, such as phone, email and live chat. 
5. Security: Ensure that the domain registrar provides adequate security measures to protect your domain name and personal information from cyber threats. 
6. Domain transfer policy: Check the domain transfer policy of any domain registrar you’re seriously considering. Choose a company that allows easy domain transfers in case you decide to switch to a different registrar in the future. 
7. User interface: Select a domain registrar with an easy-to-use dashboard that lets you manage your domain name easily and efficiently. 
8. By considering these factors, you can choose a domain registrar that provides the features, pricing and support that you need.

Finding the best domain registrar for your needs 

Choosing the right domain registrar is an important step in establishing and maintaining an online presence. It’s essential to review the suitability of each company, based on your own requirements. Not every provider will have the range of services that will 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. For example: 

• Checking the company's reputation and customer support can ensure that you’ve selected a reliable and trustworthy registrar.
• Is their website easy to use?  
• Will be able to contact their help staff at 2 a.m.?

Another factor to consider would be any other services that they offer, such as email hosting and website building tools. Many find it easiest to work with one provider for all their business services. 

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 has a strong foundation and is positioned for success in the future. 

Related FAQ about domain name registrars 

Still have questions? The answers may 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 two-factor authentication for accounts set up through them.   

Domain privacy, also known as WhoIs privacy, is a service provided by domain registrars to protect the personal information of domain name owners. This feature helps keep owner information private and out of the hands of scammers. 

Some domain registrars go a step further and offer domain protection services, which prevents unauthorised domain transfers away. 

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. If you have a particular TLD in mind, you’ll need to be sure that your domain registrar offers it. View all GoDaddy TLDs here. 

Does it really matter which domain registrar I use? 

Not all domain registrars are the same. Some offer more free services with domain names than others. For example, many domain name registrars offer free domain privacy, while privacy requires an extra fee at other domain registrars. 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 website owners and businesses use a single domain registrar to manage all their domain names. This simplifies the management process 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 organised 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.

*Prices accurate as of publication date. Please check registrar websites for current pricing. All listed prices are before VAT subject to change. 

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